Thread: Hone options

I am just starting and wanted some advice on hones. I need something to restore some vintage razors, so I know I will need to start with something more coarse. Would I need a 1000 or could I start with a 4000? Also, the hones everyone talks about seems to be the Norton 4000/8000. Is this the best or are there other and maybe less expensive options? Any advice is appreciated.

With stones I'd say that the norton line is about avg with quality and cost. Meaning cheaper stones are just that... cheap. I have some stones I got for a quarter the price... they are less than a quarter the quality as well I have not tried my King brand stones yet on my razors yet as they are not quite as good as the Norton but don't cost as much. Good starter stones though.

I'm moving on to Shapton Pro's when I wear out the 4k side of the 4k/8k combi stone. I'm a bit to heavy handed and tend to wear that soft bugger down with my kitchen knives to fast...

You can also look for japanese Sun Stones. They're available in a variety of grits and a lot cheaper than the Norton.

Personally I use belgium coticules but they cost even more money than the norton.

If you're not planning to do a lot of restorations, you can get by with the 4/8K Norton combo. The 1K Norton really helps if you plan to be honing a lot of razors. (I have a used one for sale in the Buy/Sell forum, if you're interested.)

The "best" hone set depends on how much you're willing to shell out. I'm totally in love with my Belgian hones. They cost around $110 for 6x2" versions of the Belgian blue hone (coarse) and yellow coticule (finishing). Add a hone in the 1K range and you have a set that can put an edge on an eBay razor in a hurry.

If you can afford them, I highly recommend them. The advantage of Belgian hones is that they are more gentle than the Norton, so there's much less potential for overhoning.

Also, some of our honemeisters use 1000-grit sandpaper instead of a coarse hone. I've never had much success with this, but it works for a lot of guys.

Josh

I've been playing with the idea of getting another DMT plate in the 1k range. I have the D8XX and D8C (120 and 320 grits) already for reprofiling and repair on kitchen knives. They also work great as a stone flatener At the moment I have only one stone between the DMT's and the 4k/8k combi Norton, a 1200 King. While I like the cut of the king I feel it tends to cut to slow for the 1k range.

King stones run around $25 in my area at the asian kitchen supplie stores. Not bad for the $$. Than get the norton when things get better for you.

The Norton combo is a great stone and worth every penny. Last a lifetime too, ... unless you're Lynn.

X

Originally Posted by xman

The Norton combo is a great stone and worth every penny. Last a lifetime too, ... unless you're Lynn.

X

is the norton all that is needed---i asked a question about the belgium coticle but wasnt too clear on how much of a necessity it is??

I was planning on picking up some e-bay razors when I find something I like and doing restoration. I like that kind of stuff but don't have anything for it. Would it be better to just do the polishing and cleaning and send them off to a honemeister for the sharpening? I am ordering a 4 sided paddle strop with .25 and .50 micron diamond paste. I have heard you can maintain a good edge for a while with that. Would that be better than risking a good razor by learning to hone on it?

I like ceramics. I have a set of Spyderco ceramics. The Moors ceramics might be even better though, especially the Moors White for putting the final polish on the edge.

Orest

Originally Posted by not that Chaney

I was planning on picking up some e-bay razors when I find something I like and doing restoration. I like that kind of stuff but don't have anything for it. Would it be better to just do the polishing and cleaning and send them off to a honemeister for the sharpening? I am ordering a 4 sided paddle strop with .25 and .50 micron diamond paste. I have heard you can maintain a good edge for a while with that. Would that be better than risking a good razor by learning to hone on it?

There is nothing wrong with sending off your blades to get honed. It keeps people like me occupied.

It all depends on what you want. You can get your blades honed for a modest fee, and with a 4 sided pasted paddle, you can maintain them for a long time.

It takes time to learn how to hone, and you have to buy at least 1 stone.
If you see razor honing as something you would like to do, buy a couple of razors on ebay (or in the BST forum). Use them to get some honing practise and make all the beginners mistakes on those cheap blades.

If instead you see razor honing as a boring chore (necessary evil) then you might be better off having them honed for you. That way you don't have to spend the money to buy stones and the time to learn how to use them.

Or you can compromise: have someone hone your dull blades (new buys from ebay or other sources) and then buy a small finishing stone (for example a small 4x1" coticule) to maintain the edges.
You still have to spend a bit of time learning to use it properly, but it takes less time to touch up razors with a good edge, and it takes less time to learn as well. And a small coticule only costs 30 dollars or so at www.theperfectedge.com

Hope this helps.