Thread: Blade Maintenance

NOTE: As a newbie i thought this would be best in this section but if anyone (with the power) feels that this should be in the hones section please feel free to move it


For someone who has sharp razors that they have been happily using and stropping on a day to day basis and the possibility of new and new and sharp blades in the future what kind of hone would you suggest? A coticule? A Belgian Blue? A vintage whetting stone or something else entirely? I’m talking about a regular maintenance stone as opposed to restoration hones.

First choice, if I were you, would be a Yellow Coticule, a very, versatile stone....

Second choice, would be a small Barbers Hone a very, inexpensive stone...

I concur.

<filler>

Originally Posted by gssixgun

First choice, if I were you, would be a Yellow Coticule, a very, versatile stone....

Second choice, would be a small Barbers Hone a very, inexpensive stone...

I too am new, but i use a barber's hone and it does well for me. Small and managable, and though mine was passed down to me they are relatively cheap.

A coticule would be a excellent first stone.

I have a yellow Belgian, and an Escher. The Escher performs exceedingly well. But then again, I have only honed 10 razors, so my experience is extremely limited.

The following section in the Wiki might be of help. Unfortunately, the Belgian stones are not described, yet. Someone should fill in the required information.

Progressive Honing Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Coticule or some other polishing stone for sure but a pasted paddle would be handy too.
I like CrO followed by jeweller's rouge. Some ppl use diamond sprays, cigar ash etc etc...

All above replies are good suggestions. We would be better able to answer you question if you noted your budget for a hone. A barber's hone is acceptable w/ low cost. Many people use them. If you've got the money to spend the corticle or escher are execellent choices.

Coticule is fine for polishing and in many instances maintenance. So are barber hones, chromium oxide and .5 diamond media. If you are going to be honing new aquisitions in the future, I woule recommend either a Norton 4K/8K or the Shapton Glass Stones.

Good Luck,

Lynn

coticule and cro-ox.