Thread: What grit?

I am paying $40 to get my straight honed every few months.
I am going to start doing it myself! What grit does everyone recommend?
Its a new blade that just needs the odd touch up.
I was thinking 8000 as its not too expensive.

I would say go higher than 8K, although common advice I see is that an 8k edge should shave fine. I personally don't like it, it's a bit aggressive on my face, so I finish on naturals.

Perhaps consider a natural stone for touchups as well. Something like the Chinese Guanxi hone, or the Welch purple slate? Black/surgical Arkansas may be a good option if you're in the States, but I haven't tried one personally. Don't even know how expensive they are!

If you are just doing touch ups you can use just about any hone synthetic or natural that is 8K or higher. It gets to be a slippery slope at times. Most guys can get a great shave from an 8K Norton or Naniwa. The 12 K Naniwa is also very popular. There are also pasted strops to keep your edge going. There are people who have used a weekly stropping on CrOx to keep an edge in top shape. Natural finishers will work well too, but can be a little more difficult to really get to know. I have heard the difference is you have to develop a relationship with your natural. Escher has a line of small hand held hones that were for maintenance. I expect you will get many responses that say the Naniwa 12K. Look at meeting up with someone to start with to learn. Hands on really is way easier than videos and trial and error.

The Naniwa 12k is a good stone for touching up. Very few of us seem to settle for less than this level of finisher and a pro would surely be using something that at least finishes at this kind of level so would be similar to what you are used to.

A finishing stone will last forever so buying a decent one can save money as you won't want to upgrade or at least not as quickly. The 12k is splash and go so easy to use as well and can easily be flattened with wet and dry on the bench top.

I have quite a few customers that only "Maintain" their razors,, Although many Hones and Stone work and work very well, the Naniwa SS 12k is hard to beat at any price..

Great edges and really smooth feedback, it has been my recommendation for what you are trying to do for a few years now...

Many other will do the job also

Cant help but agree with the rest of this group, Naniwa 12k SS is a great stone for the money. I finished on 8k for about a year and did well with that but I love my 12k.

My recommendation? If you always send your razors to the same person, contact them to ask what their finishing stone is, and get that. You already know what that edge feels like, so it removes guess work if you'll like what you get off this stone or that.

An 8k edge should shave fine, but I find the edge from most any synthetic is a touch on the keen/harsh side. Usually that only lasts 1 or 2 shaves, then it mellows out and becomes more comfortable. Or it can be taken care of with a really good stropping.

If you're just looking for basic maintenance, a barber's hone can be hard to beat. Especially if you're looking for a minimum cost option. 30 bucks for one in good condition, 4 to 10 light strokes every few weeks, and your edge will be good indefinitely.

Originally Posted by Marshal

My recommendation? If you always send your razors to the same person, contact them to ask what their finishing stone is, and get that. You already know what that edge feels like, so it removes guess work if you'll like what you get off this stone or that.

That is a great suggestion

Thanks for the advice, Ive had a chat with the local 'sharpener' and he also recommended 8-12k.
Hope i didnt sound lazy as i know there is plenty of advice on SRP but trawling through 200 pages for basic info would break me!
Theres me thinking I would eventually save money with a straight ��

Pasted balsa. Pigments from Kramer are les than $10. You get enough for the rest of your life (and sons life too) and with balsa you don't have to worry about "rolling" or "rounding" your edge.