Beginner tips

I will start by saying this is only my opinion.

After being on the forum some years now and reading many beginner threads I have noticed a lot of mention of newbies asking what hones they need.

Beginners, first, learn face preparation, lather making, stropping on a decent but not overly expensive strop [as it can be used later with crox paste], stretching of skin, and to use the razor.
Start with a known shave ready razor professionally honed even if the seller says it is shave ready, [ unless of course it was purchased from a known seller of shave ready razors ].

When you learn the appropiate prep for YOUR face, correct stropping method, and razor angles you should only need another strop {if the first cut up}, and crox paste on first strop, or barber hone.

With these few tools and knowledge you may not need to HONE for years.

Again my opionion and experience only.
HAPPY SHAVING :gl:

Sound advice, all of it. I'm going to depend on the professionals at this point and work on the things that I can do and not damage my razor beyond repair. Once I can get consistent myself, I'll start looking at things like honing, etc.

Yes, hones are like potato chips and cold fusion; unhealthy costly distractions until the foundation is solid.

Probably the best and most used stone I ever bought was also the easiest to learn - a $10 Swaty barber hone for touch ups.

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Originally Posted by Takem01

Sound advice, all of it. I'm going to depend on the professionals at this point and work on the things that I can do and not damage my razor beyond repair. Once I can get consistent myself, I'll start looking at things like honing, etc.

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If your not planning on restores as i said hones are not necessary for a good while. I have an 8 blade rotation and have used only crox and barber hone in 8 years, and that has been only in the last 18 months.

I was thinking about getting a 12k japanese water stone someday, but for now I'm depending on pros to fix the damage I've done.