Hones...Hones...Hones?

Ok, so I am getting my first straight razor soon. I have been reading about hones and how much of a necessity they are. A lot of people suggest a lot of different and usually expensive things. I want to get a hone but I am in college and funds are tight so I only want to get one that will do the job. I would like to get one locally and really dont want to wait to ship one. O with that being said here are my questions.

1. When and how often should I hone.
2. where can I get one
3. Is there a cheap way to go ( I am really cheap)
4. Do I need to hone before I use it for the first time ( I just got a cheap ebay starter kit)


Thank you so much for all of your time and help

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Originally Posted by archer831

Ok, so I am getting my first straight razor soon. I have been reading about hones and how much of a necessity they are. A lot of people suggest a lot of different and usually expensive things. I want to get a hone but I am in college and funds are tight so I only want to get one that will do the job. I would like to get one locally and really dont want to wait to ship one. O with that being said here are my questions.

1. When and how often should I hone. It depends on the quality of your razor, and your technique in using it

2. where can I get one. Maybe at an antique store but it depends on if you can spot a good one, and that's if there are any to be spotted.

3. Is there a cheap way to go ( I am really cheap) Probably, but you're looking at a $20 minimum for barber hone and gas driving around to antique shops.

4. Do I need to hone before I use it for the first time ( I just got a cheap ebay starter kit) Yes, you need to have any razor honed before you use it (nearly impossible to do on your own for the first time).

And to make matters worse, there really aren't any starter kits on ebay that will be worth using. The blades just aren't made of quality steel.


Thank you so much for all of your time and help

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There are ways to do this cheaply, but not many, and you'll probably be really frustrated in the mean time.

That being said, I've got a few razors that are good and ready to use as well as a hone that will keep you sharp for a long time to come (and maybe some other goodies that will make the whole learning experience a bit easier).

P.M. me and we'll work out a deal (no, I wont be making money on the deal and no, there really is no faster way)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by archer831

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1. When and how often should I hone.
When done right only around 3-4 times a year. IIRC
2. where can I get one
3. Is there a cheap way to go ( I am really cheap)
I am thinking a cheap way for now would be just to send it to a honemeister til you have finished college.
4. Do I need to hone before I use it for the first time ( I just got a cheap ebay starter kit)
Unless you buy your razors here or select the sharpening service when buying from a reputable online store, you will need to hone it first as they won't be shave ready.

When you say cheap e-bay kit...... You got a brand name you can tell us? I hope its not Zeepk or anything of the like, because if it is, then sadly that means you have just bought yourself some fancy letter openers.


Thank you so much for all of your time and help

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My responses are the ones in red in this post only.

Others will chime in, in no time.

Please tell us that you did not buy a Zepek starter kit.....
Assuming that you got a quality razor, the least expensive route is to have the razor honed to shaving sharp first by somebody here...The use the strop and a fine grit barbers hone for upkeep....
This could last a very long time doing things this way and be very cost effective!!!

Welcome aboard the straight train !!!!

I heartily agree with GSSIXGUN. Have it pro honed so you have a good edge on the razor and a standard of sharpness to achieve/maintain and then get a good barber hone . Good Luck and God Bless!!!:tu

Unfortunately that is the brand i bought. CRAP!!!! I feel like an idiot!!!!!!!
Well let me know what to do
I am tired of buying expensive gillettes just to have my face be torn up... so i thought this might be the way to go but I am on a tight budget as it is.

is the strop at least usable?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by archer831

Unfortunately that is the brand i bought. CRAP!!!! I feel like an idiot!!!!!!!
Well let me know what to do
I am tired of buying expensive gillettes just to have my face be torn up... so i thought this might be the way to go but I am on a tight budget as it is.

is the strop at least usable?

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Check out the B/S/T section here, they are usable and come shave ready at reasonable prices.

The strop is rubbish also from what I have heard.
Check out www.thewellshavedgentleman.com for a strop.

Don't feel bad, you weren't to know.

Don't feel like an idiot. There are many folks new to straight shaving that have tried Zeepk razors (a number of them on this board). Until you know what a quality razor is, it is an easy mistake to make. Zeepk strops are known to be strops in name only, and will probably only serve to annoy you and slow your progress with straight shaving.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by archer831

Unfortunately that is the brand i bought. CRAP!!!! I feel like an idiot!!!!!!!
Well let me know what to do
I am tired of buying expensive gillettes just to have my face be torn up... so i thought this might be the way to go but I am on a tight budget as it is.

is the strop at least usable?

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Unless you knew that Zeepk razors were crap before you bought the set, you're not an idiot at all. So relax. ;)

As others have stated, try the B/S/T forum. Also, Mr. Baldridge made what seemed to be a sweet offer in his reply, so I'd PM him if I were you. :)

I actually did and I am in the proccess of buying one right now


Thanks all
Keep in touch,
Archer