Bought a used straight blade...sharpening/honing?

This is going to be a really n00bish question, but I don't feel like screwing up a blade that's pretty old.

My mother purchased one from an elderly lady who said her grandfather used the blade, so I'm assuming it's quite old. It is in good condition, but I'm worried it might not be sharp enough for it's intended purpose.

I do have a friend with a sharpening kit(diamond something or rather) he uses to sharpen his knives, but I'm not sure if this is appropriate to use and if so...is there a certain technique that I should use while sharpening?

And the most silly question of all...what's the difference between honing and sharpening?

Sorry if I'm being really n00bish, but I really don't want to mess up this blade yet I'm anxious to start using it.

Hones intended for knives are usually to course for razors and can mess them up quick. You should send it to one of the Honemiesters to have it sharpened the first time. Then get a strop and a pasted paddle to maintain the blade. honing and sharpening are just two words for the same thing. Welcome to the forum and if we can be more help let us know.

The best advice I can give it to start reading the Stickies.

I would suggest that this blade you have be your second razor. Whatever blade you buy with your starter kit or a shave ready blade from the BST should be your first. Beyond honing there is also polishing, and rust removal that really shouldbe taken care of before a blade is put into service. It would be a good idea for you to have some familarity with a decent blade before you delve into this area.

Another great source of information would be Lynns DVD, there is a thread about it, including where to buy it. It is also being uploaded to the web, but I don't have the link. This is chock full of all the information that you will need to get that blade or any blade ready to take off your whiskers. Also the techniques for using it properly to do its job.

There are lots of different grits of diamond stones out there and what works for a knife might not be so good for a razor. Read the Honing How To section on my site. You'll probably end up with some kind of finishing stone such as a belgian coticule, norton 4k8k, or other stone. You'll also need a leather strop to finish off your edge.

May I chip in and +1 on what Howard said.

I can also vouch for Howard products and exceptional customer service.

It's prob best to buy a junker off Ebay and play about with your hones before you do a proper hone job.

Alright! I got the blade and strop, so I took some pictures to get some opinions on them, and whether or not the strop will work right.

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/b...lesykes/razor/

The strop is two strips of leather, one of them looks like it's been used quite a bit and is a bit flimsy, while the other strip is rather thick.

The razor itself is made by a company called the Wester Bros. It says on the blade "Made in Germany" so i'm assuming it's of somewhat decent quality. On the other side of the blade it says "No. 16", which I have no idea about.

Will this strop work alright, and does the blade seem to be of decent quality?

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Originally Posted by nanakixiii

Alright! I got the blade and strop, so I took some pictures to get some opinions on them, and whether or not the strop will work right.

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/b...lesykes/razor/

The strop is two strips of leather, one of them looks like it's been used quite a bit and is a bit flimsy, while the other strip is rather thick.

The razor itself is made by a company called the Wester Bros. It says on the blade "Made in Germany" so i'm assuming it's of somewhat decent quality. On the other side of the blade it says "No. 16", which I have no idea about.

Will this strop work alright, and does the blade seem to be of decent quality?

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The strop will need major rehab before you use it. Wester Bros. are excellent razors. They will typically respond very well to honing. As far as the strop goes, there are a number of methods for treating a strop in the strop fourm. You are embarking on quite an adventure.