Razor Sharpening - MURRAY CARTER 

Its a pleasure to watch a real pro thats a master of his craft. Ive sure learned a lot from your vids. Thank You!

Always a pleasure to watch someone sharpen so effortlessly.

"He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast." - Leonardo da Vinci ...and to cast my tool on some rock in way that will brake not only my tool but also full enjoyment in my self care ritual ... :( :/ :( :/ "You don't know what you don't know" , ...and now, this change I have experienced in last few weeks, !!through everyday shaving!! is something that this Murray Carter theory makes !easy!... there are many, many ways to do one thing good... but some of that ways, although similar, are easier and much more efficient (achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense). Murray Carter thank You for this 10 min presentation of lifetime blade sharpening experience... that brings more comfort, beauty and self care in my life.

hello Mr carter. I have had very repeatable success using Italian slate as a finishing hone for my razors,appreciate the information you include in your sharpening dvd's and will be ordering your advanced series soon.salute .

I want to thank you for the smoothest shave of my life. I have been honing for years and have never achieved an edge that felt like it was round on my face. I copied you but used a 1k, 5k, wood,10k then crox on paddle strop. Thank you for not only cutting my honing down to 10 minutes but for the most comforting shave of my life.

I shaved with a sraight razor a decade ago and stopped when I couldn't get them to shave anymore. I have 6 razors and they all have a wobble to some degree. Using this method of sharpining, I'm now able to achieve a fantastic edge. Thank you.

After watching this I ordered a King combo 1000/6000 and a couple gold dollar 66 razors to practice with. Thanks Murray... new fan here.

murray, I used to work for a man called john lennon,from Russell cutlers in Kilmarnock Scotland, he used very fine stones called the water of ayr stones, as in the town of ayr. the keen edge they gave were totally incredible, this was however 20 odd years ago, but they were very expensive, Russell cutlers was established in 1632. ps excellent vids!!

Learning new techniques is part of the fun; we will have to give this method a try! Great post.

Two days ago I started shaving with my straight razor. Thank you Mr. Carter for sharing your methods with us.

As always a great video! Murray got me interested in waterstones sharpening at the start of this year(2011) and I jumped in to it. With his tips and guidelines I have become better than a machine IMO. And through practice I get better results with less time and more confidence. Very rewarding!!! Thank you MC and CC!

I'm new to straight razors, and tried this with an old Sheffield blade, using an old Barber hone, and a two-sided leather paddle strop. Works great! Thanks for the video.

Thanks for this! There is a serious lack of razor sharpening tutorials out there, this is great.

Now to Mr. Carter, it's undeniable the technique you use works considering the fact that you got a magnificent shave from that razor. That technique is completely backwards from what I've been using but obviously it works. It's like is said on SRP all the time, shaving with a straight razor is more what works for you than anything else. Your technique is much faster than mine and I hope I can come close to duplicating that edge. Thanks for taking the time to post this video.

Murray, thanks for sharing, I have applied some of your tips when sharpening my kitchen/utility blades and have found it to help produce sharp knives. I am considering your videos, do any of them also cover sharpening longer blades, short swords/swords. I suppose it would be pretty much the same as with shorter knives, difference being the area covered.

I used this method on my razor. I have tried to sharpen my own blade many times with no success. After only one half hearted attempt at the posters method I was able to get a decent shave out of a razor I gave up on years ago. This blade was actually once used by my brother to cute a whole in some theater with cloth backing. So when I say the edge was gone, you can believe it. I think after doing this a few more times to mend the edge I so badly lost it will be useable. I thank you for your help.

I love how he just cuts off a piece of his belt without caring

I quit using my straight edge because I (unknowingly) stropped it like you said not to. Thanks to you I can now sharpen it and keep it that way. Thanks Murray!

This video is very insightful, I enjoyed watching this. I’ve also been reading your book and I am super impressed with it all. I’ve always wanted to sharpen my straight razor my self and after watching this video I think I will try it! I do have a question, can you use this same method on a straight razor blank that has every thing but the edge profile?

I must say that this is the very way I do my straight razor Since I have gave Mr. Carters way a try and also ALL of my knives that I own, My razor produces a VERY comfortable shave rite off the local paper. I have even shaved with a 28 year old Old Timer pocket knife that I would not have even tried till I started using murrys ways of doing things, Keep up the awesome videos and keep up the great work, Love all your videos.

After months! of unsuccessfully trying to hone my razor this is the only thing that helped me get that razor edge. Huge thanks for sharing! you are the man!!!

Tried this method again and the results were amazing. Speed of the stropping seems to be the key. Nice slow to medium pace

Well done Murray I've been using your way of sharpening and that's the only way and I've tried a few ways praise to you

Again Murray, I am impressed with your level of knowledge. It all makes perfect sense to me. I look forward to purchasing a 1000 & 6000 stone and attempting to put your techniques into practice.

Thank you for your knowledge. I purchased your sharpening videos for my kitchen cutlery and they have helped me immeasurably. May I inquire why you say to use the leather strop judiciously? Happy New Year.

Thank you for the detailed explanation... going to a strop and I already love the paper trick. Saved me some money on a high end stone.

Very interesting. Very different to what I've seen before, especially with no strokes against the edge beyond the 1000, but just stropping strokes. Intriguing. And I gather from a comment +CarterCutlery that this is also traditional Japanese edge sharpening? Cool stuff - thank you.

wow best yet, i was scared away from straights because of sharpening, you make it look so easy, wow thanks

I use a similar setup with the king 1000/6000 and a leather belt strop with green or white compound (tending to use white more these days gives a much nicer shine) , i use the rough side of the leather though and never draw my knife through wood as the stropping removes any superfine burrs that are there . I love the king stones and doing it by hand and not on some pre-set mechanism that loads of people go nuts for :)

Great video. Never seen the newspaper method before. Gonna give that ago! 👍

I greatly appreciate your videos. I can actually sharpen my pocket knives shaving sharp now. Thank you.

hello Mr Carter first of all thank you very much for teaching me how to sharpen knifes, i have spent hours and hours looking for some serious video in youtube and i can say you are the best of the best. Now i can say i almost master razor sharp for double edge knifes. i have huge problem with single bevel knife razor sharpening, i can sharpen them fairly sharp but not razor sharp i was looking everywhere in youtube and i couldnt find anyone who can sharp yanagi at razor sharp level. Could you make a video on how to master yanagi sharpening please? thank you very much!

Nice video showing a method of honing I have not seen before. Question: when stropping from shave to shave do you always use the strop on a hard surface with chromium oxide?

I love your videos. Please keep doing this!

a commitment to a end is a beginning to a start.Knowledge in various forms ,learned and still practicing ,should be respected.Thank you Murray for sharing.Those who have other means will have them. try and see and close the mouth to breathe and your ears may hear something.to improve is good.learn what you will.thanks Carter Cutlery.

I learned from him how to sharp things... That was a long time ago. Thanka to M C I started my adventure with knives and sharpwning. And Im v. glad of that...

Thanks Murray, a great help 👍🏻

I am writing to defend Murray's sharpening of straight razors. I have shaved with my own straight razor that was hand sharpened by Murray and stropped on news paper. In fact, I shaved with it Saturday and had a great and comfortable shave. I also have a straight razor restored and sharpened, and stropped by Brad or udream. I also have shaved with this razor many, many times. Honestly, they are both great, and comfortable shaves.

@undream22 As evident from your display of knowledge, you must be an authority on the matter of sharpening straight razors, or sharpening in general. Everyone would greatly benefit if you filmed a video showing your alternative techniques with better results.

I am a barber.. This is a good and affordable way for razor sharpening maintenence...

Hi Murray are you using light pressure on your trailing strokes also I bought an amakusa binsuito stone can I use that instead of a 1000 ty your awesome

Thanks for the tip larry. I'll try that next time I put it on the stone.

Great video, much appreciated

Thanks Mr. Carter I want to start shaving with a cut throat razor so this was help in making a decision in getting one :)

My question is now that we as a society have gone to different inks and papers for newspapers is the technique still valid? I wonder with the newer soy inks and the extremely thin paper from the few newspapers left that I can find regularly, nothing like what I seem to remember the paper or the ink was like even 15 years ago - this still works?! Thanks for posting this information!

This discussion under your video is fun to read. I just say that using Murray's technique I've sharpened and succesfully shaved with knife worth about $1. As far as I remember I've used 1000 and 3000 grit stone, and newspaper for honing. So, Murray, whatever you do or say - I take it for granted.

Completely unrelated question... Whose version is that recording of "My Favourite Things" from the background music? BEAUTiFUL!! (Thanks a lot, Murray)

John Kantar 20 seconds ago Murray,thanks for the video just like to know what does the newspaper do,im after the technical aspect please.thanks John

Could you please spare some tips as to how to sharpen scissor shears. As I understand it, it is similar as sharpening a single bevel knife. I would really just like to polish and refresh the edge a bit.

Thanks, Murray. And how would you recommend using a belt/hanging strop?

Very nice Murray keep up the vids

Jeez Dude, you make that look so easy, wish i could get my S.R. that sharp; i was using a Norton 4000/8000 & it always dulled my blade; will have to try your method...

really good one thxx short compact all you need to know

thanks Murray! i'm finally getting a comfortable shave!!

I've been using this method for about a month. While totally opposite of what's generally taught to beginners on the forums. It's been actually quite an easy method. I've been honing for about 3 years but learned the traditional way. This method takes some adjusting if you're used to edge leading, low pressure alternating strokes. After a short transition and of course figuring out the proper stroke count (it takes some figuring out) and pressure the edges have been as nice as any edge. I've had razors honed by some of the best razor honers in the world. I can get close or on par with this method depending on what stone i finish on. I generally skip the newspaper and chromium oxide unless I feel like it's necessary. Set bevel like normal. Go to 6k I use japanese back and forth strokes on the 6k to remove 1k scratches while using a slurry for heavy lifting and then water only for the finishing 6k work. Joint the edge and then using stropping only strokes on the 6k give enough passes (light to no pressure) to bring the edge back to a fine finished 6k level. Then jump to my finisher for edge trailing strokes. As many as required. Leaving some edges with nothing left to be desired. Thank you Mr. Carter for this video. I cherry picked the best parts of it and combined it with what I already knew for some exellent results.

Great instructional video, been learning how to hone for about 2 months now I like how you made it look so easy I know it's not that easy but my question is I only have a Norton 8k/6k what would be your advice on how to hone on that stone? Thank again

How would you modify for a kamisori? Is this how our Japanese friends have done it, albeit with more strokes on one side ? I'd like one. :)

Hi Murray just wondering if it matters the way you sharpen the teeth point towards the tip the choir says the teeth is suppose to point towards the heel does that matter ty

Hello Murray, i am an absolute fan of yours..i was wondering if you would be so inclined as to exchange one of your custom kitchen knife against one of my custom razors.

That is REALLLLLY great :) I love sharpening knives. I still need to improve though :)

I am interested in getting one super fine water stone like your, can you help me with that. Or if its is possible to post a link, so I can order it.

Cheers Mate!

So after a bevel is set. Strop the blade on the finer grit stones instead of doing strokes against the edge?

Good video I liked it

@lovinglistener An edge trailing stroke allows the edge to flow over particles that are on the stone, particles that you would otherwise cut/collide into with your edge.

I have your video and have used your technique on my razors but use the circular motions on my 6k nannie and finish on a escher or jnat. I own 3 Mastro Livi's and he says not to put your fingers on the blade because his blades are extra hollow and it can sharpen unevenly. I noticed you put your finger on the toe and hone. You also say no pressure, have you had uneven results on extra hollow blades?

@Disburden This is the way that Murray has been sharpening his straight razor for the last 19 years. It is undeniable to say that it doesn't produce shaving sharp edges. You can see in numerous other videos that Murray has replicated this edge across a wide spectrum of items; everything from camp knives to spoons.

As many people have said, that wouldn't be my choice when sharpening a razor but I would love to try one out sharpened by you and compare it to a "traditionally" sharpened razor. I have gotten very good results from your "six step" sharpening for my kitchen knives. However, I finish off on a very very thin leather strop - hard backed - as I find the newspaper just doesn't provide a high enough polish for me. The thin leather goes even further to eliminate any rounding of the edge. Thanks!

What do you think about using sand-paper for sharpening knives?I dont have proper stones to sharp my knives.Your videos are amazing.Thank you

what was that green substance, you put on the belt part you cut of?? btw thx for posting all these fantastic vids:) best regards from Denmark

That is an excellent video! the only problem is I don't have all those stones nor the experience to to it. I guess I'll have to invest some time, money and learn!! Thanks for the encouragement!

Carter is awesome.

hello Mr Carter great explanaton as always , I have a straight razor that had chips on the edge and sent it to a knifeshop to be sharpened but it came worst and has a curve on the edge now, I managed to straight the edge again in my waterstones but i can't get a primary edge now, what advice can you give me to solve this. I use your tecniques to sharpen my kitchen and pocket knifes and have great results. thanks

Murray is the sharpening master! Most the 'traditional' methods were written when we still used lead water pipes, so not everything used the best methods back then! Now if you're going to hate on Murray who's merely putting things into a modern light for us, you can go drink your lead water, enjoy!

People who want to learn the technique, and look up honing videos specifically will watch the entire video. Then go back and re watch it many more times. Honing a razor to shave ready is not easy.

LOL, i cracked up when i saw Murray give his arm a second look, just to check it was still there @ 2:50. LMAO

As with all of our video productions, no medical assistance was needed.

I love how the ambulance driving by a few times

Is there any reason that you strop the blade from heel to tip, or can you strop from tip to heel as well?

Update link please so I can review your store

I had similar problems. What I found out was that I was leaving the swarf on the stone too long and not rinsing the stone and blade enough. The swarf created by the stone's micro-particles also included microsopic pieces of the metal it was taking off of the blade. By running the knife or blade through the swarf, the metal particles would tend to nick the knife or blade, especially if the blade was a carbon laminate and extra hard on the Rockwell scale. Rinse your stone more often.

I've watched a number of honing videos online as well as read through an old barber's manual (1923, iirc) and even had someone who's been honing razors show me how to hone. This video is completely opposite of what I've seen/read/been taught. However, it appears to work for Mr. Carter. If I had a razor I didn't mind accidentally screwing up I'd give it a try.

Yes.

when i try this I grind the back more than the edge it self what do I do?

Why does the leather strop somewhat reduce the sharpness? Is it because the slight yielding in the leather rounds of the edge a little?

Thanks Murray for sharing your techniques. Where can I buy such natural japanese waterstone?

Hello! Would it be the same procedure to sharp a damascus straight razor? Or would i need harder or softer wet stones?

I have only 6k stone and sharpening lether belt, do i realy need 1k stone or can i do it with 6k just it will take longer?

This is pretty much the method I use and it works. Thing is, it works with Japanese water stones. If you have an Arkansas or other stone, you will need a slightly different technique, since these stones are usually harder and won't cut as fast. Also, since fine Japanese stones are rather soft, you can cut into them with an edge-leading stroke, if you're not careful, dulling the edge.

I really need to get a straight razor since I already have the stones, what a nice thing that would be to shave with if even only once a week! I wonder what different qualities you get of finishing with the newspaper vs the 20k+ grit natural stone. Also, I know it's traditional to use chromium oxide on leather for stropping razors, but what is it actually doing to make the shave more comfortable? And why does Murray say this comes at a bit of a sacrifice to the edge?

As the grits get higher and higher, at what point does it actually turn into 1 grit?

Murray, thank you for your video. Could you spell out the name of the jnat stone you are showing in the video? Also, do you know of a good source here in the USA? Please let me know. Thanks.

I press the link to search for your natural stone but there wasn't! How is possible having a straight razor honed finishing just to a 6000 grit? everyone stops to 12000 grit or 8000 grit for a poor sharpeness but 6000 grit is difficult to understand whenever you removed a lot of material with the 1k after you removed not enought for me!??? Can you explain? did you make the hair test?

Murray, your thoughts on a u tube user, 'the Japan Blade' by Alex Gilmore. Uses the Axe method to set bevels, uses a microscope to show what a set bevel looks like. Continues with this method on one more synthetic -10k nani- then an asagi or kiita to finish. The forums hammered me in mentioning this method, saying it makes for a frowned edge? Said must use only one hand.

I keep getting chips in my straight razor... am I making the blade to thin? I dont think I'm getting it sharp enough and it's crazy brittle..or maybe I'm shaving to hard? No I don't bang it around.. i handle it like an egg, but it seems to be not sharp. I cannot treetop or hair whittle with it, but it will shave. Any guesses?

Soak it until it's full. If you can see bubbles coming out, soak it until they stop. With finer stones, you may not see bubbles, but 10 mins is usually plenty.

Are you using stones or leather strop?

How much do those stones cost? You mentioned the Japanese one clocking in at 20or 30K, Where do you get them? In the US?

@daw162 Agreed. This is nothing like the proper methods I have ever read in the forums or in books.

29 dislikes. I guess some people are really ignorant.