This newb has been skippin the stone.

Howdy.. wanted to introduce myself... Im Lake... I live in East Texas.

I got into Straight shaving a few months back... started off with the dreaded Zeepk.... then added blades from the local antique shops and flea markets.

I stumbled my way into getting my blades sharp... and have just recently been thoroughly pleased with the result. The thing is... I dont have a good stone for honing... but I have come up with something that is "working"

I take in the antique blades and work out any nicks and set a bevel with a 600 diamond stone (Eze Lap)... then when I have that... I take a good piece of cowhide and rub some MAAS on it. I lay the leather out flat on the counter and strop the razor on it for like 100 passes. When that is complete... the bevel is without any of the marks from the diamond stone. I then take and strop it out.

They pass the hair cut test.

So I guess...Im wondering if I am way off by thinking that I can pretty much skip out on the hone completely doing this? Is there something amiss about doing this...may be something that will harm the razor over time or wear improperly?

anyone else do anything like this?

Lots of guys do something similar, using leather glued to a paddle. This is then coated with an abrasive paste made of diamond powder or something similar. Some guys have experimented with maas and flitz as well, but diamond and chrome oxide are the most popular.

Whatever works for you and gives you the results you want is the correct way. My only concern is that 600 diamond. Whether its 600 mesh or 600 grit that sounds like a pretty coarse hone. You might be taking alot more metal off than you need to. In general you want to use the most conservative approach and if need be you can back up to something more aggressive.

I think you are right RE: the 600 grit stone.

It seems to be so far a pretty good stone for working out small nicks and setting a bevel... but I am needing something in between.

I have been lucky so far with most being able to get a bevel and hone out this way...but I do have a few blades that I havent been able to get a good edge on this way.... and have been excluded from rotation because of it....

The finish out I think is great doing things the way I mentioned... gettin there....well... I have a missing link.

Guess Ive been reluctant about shelling out the bones on the honage.