Thread: Hones, What's the Diff?

You know what "gugi" I think that's the smartest advice I've heard on this forum so far. I may buy a 12 or 16k, maybe a DMT. Will I benefit, I don't know. If I get a great shave off the Norton 8k, I'll be happy.

and maybe, just maybe, you can stop at any time![/quote]

So, what's that supposed to mean, Is that humor from the midwest?

Well it's been suggested that a few people in this forum have a problem with buying too many hones! I don't know any of them myself, but I suppose it might be true.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Well it's been suggested that a few people in this forum have a problem with buying too many hones! I don't know any of them myself, but I suppose it might be true.

I may wind up being one of them.

Originally Posted by Bill S

You can really do very well with the 4/8 combo, a finer polishing stone like a Shapton 16, Coticule or a Chinese 12K plus a pasted strop or flatbed hone.

Reading the honing section here, especially the advanced honing section, you need to bear in mind that a lot of the discussion only applies to a small portion of the straight razor using population. Guys who are either pro/semi-pro honemeisters or have taken on honing as sort of a separate activity from simply using a straight razor successfully. Believe me, you can get a fantastic shave even if you haven't invested in various vintage Coticules, Shapton 30k's, or worse yet, Eschers and Japanese naturals.

So, while you are no doubt correct that there is more "stuff" in your future it won't take too much more to get where you need to be for a great shave. The problem (and a lot of the fun) starts when the AD's get a hold of you........

What's the "AD's"?

Originally Posted by Utopian

Well it's been suggested that a few people in this forum have a problem with buying too many hones! I don't know any of them myself, but I suppose it might be true.

Some society dame of many years ago said,"You can't be too thin or too rich". I would add or have too many hones.

Originally Posted by zib

What's the "AD's"?

Acquisition disorder. RAD= razor acquisition disorder, HAD = hones etc. A hazard of this hobby for some of us.

The Escher and the Coticule are natural hones that have been used in Europe for centuries.

Nortons are quite a modern synthetically manufactured hones. They are readily available in the Americas and have recently become a popular choice for honing razors, although price and availability make them less of an attractive proposition if you live outside of the Americas.

So no it isn't anal, folk use what they can get hold of easily, locally.

Now buying and trying them all to find which one may be best is anal.

I'm guilty of trying one or two. It's a hobby. A bit like trying different beers and chasing women.

Originally Posted by English

The Escher and the Coticule are natural hones that have been used in Europe for centuries.

Nortons are quite a modern synthetically manufactured hones. They are readily available in the Americas and have recently become a popular choice for honing razors, although price and availability make them less of an attractive proposition if you live outside of the Americas.

So no it isn't anal, folk use what they can get hold of easily, locally.

Now buying and trying them all to find which one may be best is anal.

I'm guilty of trying one or two. It's a hobby. A bit like trying different beers and chasing women.

Ahhh, Now I understand.

Originally Posted by zib

I was reading Lynn's Tipp's on Honing. What's the difference between a Norton 8k and a Coticule.

Here is some information about the Norton 8k
Here is some information about Coticules

Originally Posted by zib

And Escher for that matter.

Escher Water Hone - Thuringian Sharpening Stone

Originally Posted by zib

Is all that really needed or necessary.

No, there are many different methods you can use to sharpen your straight razors.

Originally Posted by zib

I have a couple of Dovo's, a really nice russian strop and a set of Norton water hones, 8k 4k, 1k and 220. I normally strop prior to each shave, although I read it's not really necessary. I"ve read some guys get 6 or 7 shaves without stroping. I guess it depends on your beard for one, and personal preference.

Before I get far off base here, Are the Coticule and Escher for really anal shaver's.

They are for anyone

Originally Posted by zib

How far are you supposed to go.

Until you like the result. The Coticule and the Escher give many straight razor shavers a satisfactory result.

Originally Posted by zib

How many stones do I need?

You don't need any, really. You can send your razor out periodically for sharpening, damage repair, touchups, or whatever. If you want to sharpen your razors yourself, the number of stones you need depends on how involved you want to be when the razor needs attention. If you only have one razor and only want to touch it up when it just starts to dull, and if you never damage your razor, you will only need one hone.

Originally Posted by zib

Of course I want my blades razor sharp. I don't mean to insult anyone but, If the Norton 8k is really a final polishing, why would I need anything else after that.
Any help would be appreciated.

You may not need anything else after that. Hone until you like the result. And be aware (as you are by now) that no hone substitutes for lack of skill. It will take practice to get it right.

Good luck!