Thread: Cheap sharpening?

Originally Posted by McBrautigam

Depending if your definition of cheap is poor quality or inexpensive you might want to look into a Norton 4/8k combo hone. This can set a bevel VERY slowly on the 4k and a good shaving edge on the 8k. If the stone is not for you then try the previously suggested lapping films. For either one a strop is a must.

So a 1000/3000 then strop wouldn't be good enough? 4/8k is higher than the youtube videos I've been watching.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by twindle

So a 1000/3000 then strop wouldn't be good enough? 4/8k is higher than the youtube videos I've been watching.

Thanks.

1000/3000 would be good enough for an experienced honer, but not for someone who is using YouTube as their teacher,,,

The basic split on hone is that there are hones for setting the bevel, an intermediate hone for pre finish, and then finish hones. You can add any number of hones in the middle to shorten the process. Very skilled guys can go from a 1K bevel set and polish to a finish on a finish hone. Most people bevel set on a 1K move to a 3or4K then up to an 8K and either finish there or go on to a higher grit hone to finish on. If you have a previously honed razor and want only to maintain the edge you can do that quite inexpensively with pasted strops or a barbers hone and of course a leather strop. Some simply go back to a finish hone for a touch up. The most economical way to maintain your edge is with a strop and a barbers hone after it has been professionally sharpened. I think perhaps you should look for someone to hone your razor start to finish and take it from there. It is a tough go learning to hone and learning to shave at the same time.

Originally Posted by twindle

So a 1000/3000 then strop wouldn't be good enough? 4/8k is higher than the youtube videos I've been watching.

Thanks.

do not even consider honing until your 6 mos. into shaving.
I hate the word cheap,you cannot get a proper set of hones for cheap,you cannot get a master honemeister to hone your blades for cheap.
You cannot get a quality Razor for cheap.
BUT all of the above can be had enexpensively,is no such thing as cheap in this sport because you need quality items to get the full experiance.
go cheap, you will be gone in a month,never to be seen again,but if your frugal and make the right buys,you might just become a long time SRP member.

I am closing this thread before it deteriorates further.

twindle you have several options to pick from:
- Take the advise of those who have a lot of experience not only with honing but with successfully teaching others as well. Those who carry mentor badge on this site are in that category
- Follow the advise of those who tell you that you could sharpen your razor with a hone that doesn't cost more than the razor
- Be a man and just shave with that razor - you already said you don't need it very sharp, just adequate, and it already cuts hair. So lower your expectations to match the razor and be happy with the result.

But please do not waste the time of our experienced members by rejecting their good advise and instead insisting that they help you through somebody else's bad advise.

Most people here can shave off 1000 grit hone and you can find decent ones for 20-30 bucks and less. But I don't know anybody here who shaves off such hone - it's a starting point and then people progress to medium grit ~4000 and finishing ~8000 and up.
Possible is one thing, desirable another.