If the razor is shave ready, it should never require more than the occasional touch up on a barber hone or a modern equivalent unless you drop it (don’t try to catch it—get away) or bang it on the sink, etc. I’ve been using my current razor almost exclusively for the last several years and have never sent it off. When a good stropping fails to revive the edge, I give it 5-10 laps on a barber hone and I’m off to the races. I touch it up once a month or so. As for shave quality, it really depends on technique. I can get closer than with other methods, but it takes time and effort, so mostly I just do a quick couple passes and call it done. My reason for using the cutthroat is twofold. First, I find it to be the least irritating method for me. Second, my penny-pinching nature appreciates using one blade for decades as opposed to dropping $20 every few weeks for disposable blades. And yes, I do get a little jolly shaving with a lethal weapon.
Yep. That’s what I’m talking about.
I want to get to where I can take my own razor, keep it razor sharp (see what I did there?), maintain it and later...pass it on. Not only the razor, but the skills.
I’ve got my 26 year old son shaving with a DE safety razor (also smoking cigars and drinking scotch). Obviously, not for convenience or speed. But for the general, overall luxuriousness of a shave, rather than it being a chore.
I just need to learn how to take care of one: Honing, stropping, etc.