Thread: On Honing

For razors I use a Norton 4/8K and I have a 12K Chinese stone. I don't want to spend a lot of time (or money) putting sharp on my razors but I want a sharp razor to use. I find the Chromium Oxide on a bench strop suits me real well and the Chromium Oxide is very inexpensive. It serves to "freshen" up the sharpness and extends the life of an edge before you have to pull out a stone.

Hi Colin,

I agree with you on the idea of honing not being rocket science, although to a new guy (or girl) the mechanics of it can be a bit challenging, particularly if there is no one physically available to show you how it's done.

In any event, I notice you are in Brisbane. So am I, and I am one of those guys that has spent inordinate amounts of money on finer hones. I'd love to be able to bring you over a couple of my finer finishing stones (Escher, Shapton 16K, Nakayama Asagi which I think is 30K +).

If you are interested in trying them out, send me a PM. If not, that's fine too.

James.

I think there is a real galaxie of space between many here on this forum and those that have shaved with a straight in the past. In the old days guys just shaved and maintained their razors the best they could. Maybe they got great shaves and maybe not so great and maybe they weren't really getting what they thought they were getting. Maybe that's why Mr Gillette was so successful. To most of us here this has become a hobby and there is this continual quest to achieve the very best like the guy who tinkers with the vintage car trying to tweak the best performance out of the engine.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think there is a real galaxie of space between many here on this forum and those that have shaved with a straight in the past. In the old days guys just shaved and maintained their razors the best they could. Maybe they got great shaves and maybe not so great and maybe they weren't really getting what they thought they were getting. Maybe that's why Mr Gillette was so successful. To most of us here this has become a hobby and there is this continual quest to achieve the very best like the guy who tinkers with the vintage car trying to tweak the best performance out of the engine.

That is so true. The beauty of this forum community is that we can take what is to many, a task. And create a hobby. To strive for the best is something that we all seem to do when we take up a hobby. It truly is hard to say-I am SATISFIED.

On honing, there are many paths to the same destination. Now with new technologies products like the Shapton glass hones and the diamond products have made getting that "perfect" edge easier IMO. Its not to say you can't so it with an Arkansas stone,belgium coticule or the Norton. The ability to get an edge that suits your face is the most important aspect of this somewhat elusive art.

That being said, I never would have believed how absolutely hooked I have gotten on SHAVING I truly look forward to the sensation of a scary sharp piece of steel touching my face. Go figure.

I'm just glad that I have found enjoyment in something that is so much a part of me. I shave everyday, and instead of it being something akin to washing myself, or folding my clothes, it has become something I look foward to. My wife loves make up, and if she gets an opportunity to really spend some time on it, she gets a nice mellow feeling. Well, now I understand.