Thread: Hone, hone or hone?

Hi guys!


I don't know if this topic should be in the Hone forum (if so, please move it), but as I'm a newbie I posted it here...


I've been looking at all kinds of hones now for my razor. As I've understood it, I need an 8000 grit hone before I start stropping, right? It would also be good to have a little coarser hone, say 4000 grit, if the razor is really dull.


My razor can scratch some nail off but completely fails the HHT. So I need some honing…


My question now is what kind of hone I need. I’ve seen that a lot of you have Norton 4k/8k (hence my earlier assumption) but now there are discussions about other hones as well, e.g. from Axminster.co.uk.


As I look through Axminsters products I can’t help wondering what the difference between a Norton 4k/8k, Japanese fine waterstone and a Traditional Shaped Water Slip Stone. The later is only £11.87 for 8k hone – and that suits my wallet pretty good… And then we have the Nagura stone. What’s that for? For use between the 8k hone and the strop?


As you can see I’m pretty confused right now But hopefully, it’ll get better later on…

Welcome aboard Frosin. Norton is fine enough to get your blade shave-ready and is a fast cutter. Those slips will get you just about there but will take more time/effort and will lack a bit of sharpness.. In any case I´d recommend a fine finisher like a pasted paddle strop or a really fine grit hone 12k+.

Originally Posted by frosin

I've been looking at all kinds of hones now for my razor. As I've understood it, I need an 8000 grit hone before I start stropping, right? It would also be good to have a little coarser hone, say 4000 grit, if the razor is really dull.

4K and 8K are usually used together. The 4K is used for cutting away metal, the 8K for polishing. Norton sells combination stones that have 4K on 1 side and 8K on the other.

Originally Posted by frosin

My razor can scratch some nail off but completely fails the HHT. So I need some honing…

Don't scratch your nails with the razor. That'll damage the edge.
Do a forum search for thumb nail test and thumb pad test for explanations on how to use your thumb for gauging sharpness.

Originally Posted by frosin

My question now is what kind of hone I need. I’ve seen that a lot of you have Norton 4k/8k (hence my earlier assumption) but now there are discussions about other hones as well, e.g. from Axminster.co.uk.

There are 2 good reasons for buying norton:
a) most honers here have it, so it is easier to compare techniques and experience.
b) they are very good stones.

Originally Posted by frosin

As I look through Axminsters products I can’t help wondering what the difference between a Norton 4k/8k, Japanese fine waterstone and a Traditional Shaped Water Slip Stone. The later is only £11.87 for 8k hone – and that suits my wallet pretty good… And then we have the Nagura stone. What’s that for? For use between the 8k hone and the strop?

I cannot comment on these stones, since I have never used them.
The nagura stone is not a real sharpening stone, but you use to for rubbing your waterstone. That will create a wet slurry that is very abrasive, and speeds up the sharpening process.

You will also encounter the term 'coticule' a lot.
A coticule is a yellow Belgian stone with a very high grit. It is a high quality finishing stone that many here (incl me) use. It is a wonderful stone to work with, but it is expensive, due to the fact that is is a natural stone that is only found in 1 location. i.e. vielsalmes in Belgium.

That's the straight poop, Bruno.

Some guys have success with the old style barber hones, but I wouldn't be one of them. Tilly still sells some.

X

I'll echo the prevailing wisdom. The Norton 4/8K is really the workhorse of razor honing. You can indeeed get by with nothing else (except a strop). I now own a bunch of stones, however the only ones I would not sell are the 4/8 and a coticule.

FWIW,
Ed