This may be a silly question

I just want to buy one hone. Is this possible? Suppose I buy the Norton Waterstone 4000/8000. Do these things last a long time? Or do they file away quickly when you hone? How long should this stone last the average person if they only use this?

Well, you can certainly buy just one hone.... how you are going to stop yourself from buying more is your problem! :roflmao

A Norton 4k/8k used to simply maintain a razor or razors for your own use only should last you lifetime I would think. If you start honing up hoards of ebay junkers or begin a sharpening service you'll go through quite a few over the years.

Most gents will be able to get by with the Norton 4k/8k, but most would add a polishing hone of some kind. It could be a fine barbers hone for $30 or so, or it could be a Yellow Coticule from Howard at The Perfect Edge or possibly a Spyderco UF hone, Chinese 12K hone etc. etc.

The ultimate answer is one that only you can come up with... it really depends on your skill with what you have, and your need to progress beyond what you can do with what you have.


Regards

Christian

I think there are a number of guys who didn't want to go through buying a bunch of stones and spending a lot of money. For them, I believe using a pasted strop or finishing stone was enough to keep a keen edge for while longer. Once it got to a point where these methods weren't working anymore, they would send it off to be re-honed.

Ask Lynn. I think he is the only honemeister who has actually used one up just on razors. When he tests any new honing method or product he tests it on a hundred razors before he says yea or nay so that gives you some idea of the volume a stone can do.

My much smaller cheaper made waterstones have lasted years and there is no appreciable wear, even from lapping.