Thread: Whetstone Size. What's your preference?

So, I'm still a newbie owner of one dull, once well-honed (thanks to heavydutysg135), 9/16 solingen and a cheapy out-of-the-box Zeepk st8 (....yeah, I know it was a bad move now). I went out and bought two smaller whetstones (4x2) of the yellow belgian and blue belgian at this reasonably priced website: http://www.theperfectedge.com/belgian.shtml

My question is, were these stones too small and will I be frustrated trying to hone the unhoned st8 with these two stones? Should I get bigger stones? etc. I know that these are slow sharpening stones but will it be impossible. I've never honed before and plan on practicing on the zeepk then moving to touch up on the solingen once I have that under my hands (or over my face ).

Thanks for the info in advance. This is a fantastic community and I've learned a lot by poking around.

Yes, I think that those stones are too small. You will be able to use them, but I would definately suggest a stone that is at least 6 inches long. With those you will have to make a very steep X pattern for the edge to contact the hone from heal to toe. Don't you think that it would have been better to ask for an opinion before purchasing the stones?

Since those are half as long as my preferred length of
8", I would imagine that I would be frus-
trated, but perhaps they will suit you just fine.

- Scott

I agree with the previous two posts. I
like the size of something along the
lines of my Norton 4k/8k, I think 8X3.

John

It would have been a smart decision to ask for advice before the purchase, but I rushed into the decision due to the seller's order being sent out (for the stones). Interesting, I have the patience to learn str8 shaving but not the patience to wait a week or two more for the RIGHT stone. This may end up being a WTS after I get them (if I can't reverse the order).

Given that's what you have, and what you'll be initially learning on, I'd say they'll do. As you can see, a lot of people prefer the longer stones, but do vary on the width depending on how they like to hone. I like to think patience is a virtue when honing - with shorter hones you'll be among the most virtuous here!

James.

Although it is nice to have a really big (and expensive stone) stone, in my experience 8 inches long is not really necessary for a small straight razor and 3 inches wide is not necessary either. Most people that I teach to hone find my 6X2 the easiest size to hone with (compared to 8X3, 1X5, 2.5X5, and 8X.75) because it is easy to hold in the hand, wide enough for the razor to easily be stable throughout the stroke, and long enough to get good edge contact from heal to toe. Maybe that is why this was the popular size for barber's hones. For me length is much more important than width, and I think that it will be hard (but not impossible) to learn and do significant work on a 4X2. The bigger stones like the 8X2 and 8X3 are really nice for knives though.

Given the choices on Howard's website, I think that you would have a much easier time with the 6X1.4 or the 6X2 sizes. IMO They are definately worth the extra money if you are serious about this as the stones should last you for your entire life if treated properly.

I trust the advice given to me and have emailed to see if I can "upgrade" the order. It's a bit more than I want to pay as a college student right now but it's a very good point that they'll last. Thanks again everyone for the advice.

I personally prefer the 2" x 6" size for both razors and knives. I could live with as narrow as 1 1/2" or as long as 8".

The Swaty-type barber hones are really comfortable for me also. My Swaty is 2" x 5 3/16".

I have a small 1 1/2" x 4" Carborundum Company barber hone that I really like, but dearly wish it was at least Swaty length.