Thread: Newbie Honing Question

There is a bit of info an another thread which I'll dig out for you tomorrow - assuming I remember. I can't do it from my phone. SRP library is pretty useless IMHO.

If all you want is a refresh, a cnat or barbers hone is a cheap place to start. >$50.

Hi and welcome. I would second getting a pro honing. Sounds like it needs the bevel set so from there to shave ready is probably 3 hones and for a new guy a reasonable amount of practice as well. Add to that you don't know what shave ready is and don't have a benchmark it's not going to go well.

Start with a shave ready razor and just use a high grit hone for maintenance refreshing at the first sign of tugging and you should be good for a long time as long as you don't damage the edge.

Definitely +1 on having someone hone for you, initially... There are just so many parameters and preferences to consider. You really need to understand all the intricacies of shaving first or you will just be taking two steps back for every one forward.

Barber's Hone or similar around 8-12k is what you will be looking for but, the trouble is, just like with Shave Ready, there is a wealth of subjectivity when it comes to information and recommendations about Honing.

My suggestion... 1) Get it Honed by someone in The Classifieds here or similar skill. 2) Get really good and comfortable with all aspects of ambidextrous wet shaving. Then, sometime down the road, acquire some gear and start Honing.

Not that I nor many others have followed this advice, but it really is the best way to go.

Originally Posted by Prahston

Definitely +1 on having someone hone for you, initially... There are just so many parameters and preferences to consider. You really need to understand all the intricacies of shaving first or you will just be taking two steps back for every one forward.

Barber's Hone or similar around 8-12k is what you will be looking for but, the trouble is, just like with Shave Ready, there is a wealth of subjectivity when it comes to information and recommendations about Honing.

My suggestion... 1) Get it Honed by someone in The Classifieds here or similar skill. 2) Get really good and comfortable with all aspects of ambidextrous wet shaving. Then, sometime down the road, acquire some gear and start Honing.

Not that I nor many others have followed this advice, but it really is the best way to go.

Hahahaha!

Yeah, I feel like straight razors draw a very specific type of person. The type that isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves, dig in, and learn by trial and (lots of) error.

Originally Posted by Marshal

[/B]


Hahahaha!

Yeah, I feel like straight razors draw a very specific type of person. The type that isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves, dig in, and learn by trial and (lots of) error.

Couldn't have said it better :]

I concur with others about only really needing a12k or so after getting it pro honed. However I would just add to get a quality hone and not go cheap. Spending too much on a great tool will make you mad once. Buying a low quality tool will make you mad every time you use it.

I first started playing with straight razors about 15 years ago. All I had for hones was two barber hones--a Swaty and a Carborundum 102. After joining SRP in 2007 I got a set of Nortons and then various other hones followed, but I continued to maintain a set of razors I regularly used and kept at a gym with nothing but those two barber hones. I used the hones interchangeably and those razors have continued to shave just fine to this day.

I have not needed to reset the bevels or do any repair work. The edges have been maintained for 15 years with nothing but maintenance honing. I remember reading early on in SRP that it is easier to KEEP a razor sharp than it is to SHARPEN a razor. The point is that unless you damage your razor, a maintenance hone should be all you need to keep your razors sharp.

Haim, were you ever able to get any help from Manah?

Originally Posted by Sxot

There is a bit of info an another thread which I'll dig out for you tomorrow - assuming I remember. I can't do it from my phone. SRP library is pretty useless IMHO.

If all you want is a refresh, a cnat or barbers hone is a cheap place to start. >$50.

While your digging up that bit of information,,, explain why you feel the SRP Library is useless.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

If I go the professional honing route, how long will its bevel hold up (if I don't damage it) until I need to buy another, coarser hone (4000 grit) in addition to my refreshing hone?

Are the various "sharpness tests" at all adequate substitutes for seeing a proper, professionally- set bevel?

Sharpness tests are really only adequate for people that know how to hone. The user sharpness test is - is it pulling when I shave?

Bevels can hold up for years if cared for properly. As a beginner, just go ahead and plan on a rehone after 3 months (or if you have my luck, after the first stropping).