Thread: Suggestions on hones

Ok so I have a Genco that needs to be honed I could send it out I know but I want to do it my self only question is what kind of hone

Brand ?

Grit ?

Size ?

Any info I can get because I need to fix it I hate using my old 4 blade razor now that I have been using the straight one

I'm sorry I'm not closer or I'd help you out. Finding someone within traveling distance to help you get started is invaluable.
Bare bones basics are a 1K, 4K&8K. Nortons and Naniwas are quite popular.
We do have members in the Lone Star state. Ask around here and share what area you are in, you might be close to a mentor.

In the library section there are a ton of good articles. Kind of a compilation of what you'd find in the threads, very good information for just starting out.
In addition to honing it yourself, it'd be advisable to get another straight (if you want to keep using one) since it's likely you could put your Genco out of service as you learn. Or even better, have the Genco touched up and get another to fool around on.

Originally Posted by Antzgarciak7

Ok so I have a Genco that needs to be honed I could send it out I know but I want to do it my self only question is what kind of hone

Brand ?

Grit ?

Size ?

Any info I can get because I need to fix it I hate using my old 4 blade razor now that I have been using the straight one

If I were you I would look to start with a barbers hone, like a Swaty or something, you can easily and consistently refresh your razor. That's a good place to start before you invest in the time and money necessary to hone a razor through all the necessary progressions.

For me, my method of honing a razor is simple, I put it in the mail and let a pro do it...

Originally Posted by Phrank

If I were you I would look to start with a barbers hone, like a Swaty or something, you can easily and consistently refresh your razor. That's a good place to start before you invest in the time and money necessary to hone a razor through all the necessary progressions.

For me, my method of honing a razor is simple, I put it in the mail and let a pro do it...

What is a swaty and thanks but I have sent it off before but I am interested in learning how to do it myself

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Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Library

Originally Posted by Antzgarciak7

What is a swaty and thanks but I have sent it off before but I am interested in learning how to do it myself

Barber hones are a quick and easy way to "refresh" the edge on your razor. As the name suggests, barbers would use these to regularly touch up their razors.

Read about them here in the SRP Wiki:

Barber Hones - Straight Razor Place Library

Originally Posted by Hirlau

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Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Library

Yea!....two slap shots and nothing but net!

First off, if you take my advice you will be the first to do so. So if you do, let the others know if it works out. My advice is to send the razor you shave with out to a pro while you learn to hone. Sharpening a razor is not impossible but a lot more difficult than you might be aware of. The hones needed depend on what level of honing is needed. If the razor has no edge at all, you need a bevel setter. If there is a bevel and the razor needs a touch up, a 12k hone or barber hone will do that. But my advice is to get another razor off of eBay to learn on and send the one you want to shave with out so you know your edge is good for shaving.

Oh this is such a slippery slope...

Were in Texas area you?
As Ozarkedger mentions we have members all over who might be able to help you out (I'm in Dallas)
And as RoyalCake notes, this is why we all seem to have (ahem...) more than one razor - and that there is a lot of great info in the library.

For me, the best advice was to learn how to maintain the edge and "back into" honing.
I started with Crox and Diamond on felt pads and balsa.
Then a 4000/8000 Norton and a DMT to lap and maintain it - and use the Crox and Diamond as a finish.
Then a 1K bevel setter...it spirals out of control after that (12K, Rocks from Africa...oh my)

Glen/gssixgun has a thread about maintaining a razor almost indefinitely using Diamond spray and Crox.

Pasted Strops "The Experiment" - Page 2

And here is another from the beginners thread - also Glen - about a basic two razors, barbers hone is all you need.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ne-2013-a.html

(I sometimes refer to this as the mythical "Two Razor Bob" - I had missed the thread from Glen when it came out but he nails it)

There are also threads on using a 12K as a barbers hone.

So the second razor is almost a given - we often have great entry level razors in the classifieds that come shave ready - they go quick so check often or subscribe to the classifieds thread.

The Library can show you how to make a balsa strop to maintain the edge (and it might bring your Genco back..)

Unless the edge has been damaged (and granted that is not hard to do) you can maintain it with a very basic kit for a very long time.

It Straight razors become a hobby in addition to how you shave...well we know how hobbies can go.

Hope that helps a bit, let us know if you have a goal in mind (just shaving, going all in, have started building a forge in the back yard..)

Smooth shaving..