Thread: Hones, What's the Diff?

I was reading Lynn's Tipp's on Honing. What's the difference between a Norton 8k and a Coticule.
And Escher for that matter. Is all that really needed or necessary. 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. How far are you supposed to go. How many stones do I need? 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.

Welcome. I can only say that the Norton 8K is plenty, but it took me years to learn how to hone well enough to discover it. Some guys buy different hones because the speed of them cutting is more in line with their skill/patience/temperment/technique, and then they think that is the best hone on the planet.

You'll get more comments although I don't think anyone will admit to being anal. Some guys will just talk about the quality of edge.

I'm sure that hones are all way different, but I find them all to be very similar but require way different number of passes to achieve the same quality, others will strongly disagree. You'll have to think about your responses, your budget, and a few other factors, when you consider what you'll purchase.

Originally Posted by zib

Are the Coticule and Escher for really anal shaver's.

I resemble that remark. Kidding aside and only speaking for myself. For me honing is sort of a passion. I have a lot of different hones as well as a hell of a lot of razors so that I have something to use the many rocks I have. It started out with my really loving razors and the hones were something I needed to keep them in shaving condition.

Before too long I found that I was more into the hones then the razors. The important thing is that I am enjoying it. As Lynn is always saying, "Have fun". As far as what you need, the Nortons are plenty IMHO but it wouldn't hurt to have a Shapton 16K or for a more reasonably priced alternative a Chinese 12K. Another just IMHO, your razor and your shave will benefit from your stropping before and after every shave.

Originally Posted by zib

Are the Coticule and Escher for really anal shaver's.

I have coticules and eschers, but I only shave my face!


I don't know where you read that some guys go 6 or 7 shaves between stropping, but I believe most people strop before every shave. I think most would agree that gives you the best shaves.

Regarding the hones, you certainly can shave off of an 8K. Going to higher grits generally allows for finer polishing for sharper edges that most consider to be more comfortable. If you are happy with your edge of off the 8K, you can consider yourself done. The advantage of the coticule is its versatility. Used with a slurry, it's a fast cutter. Used with water, it's a polisher. Used dry, it's a finer polisher. The Escher also can be used with or without a slurry.

The lower grits really are the workhorses, while the higher grits are where the aficionados spend most of their money. You can take it as far as you want, and maybe, just maybe, you can stop at any time!

Don't get me wrong. I've researched this, I'm not making it up. I actually read that on the internet about the 6 or 7 shaves. it was on a Str8 site. Thankfully, we have the internet with all kinds of info at our fingertips. As I said, I strop prior to shaving.

I haven't had to hone my razor yet. Lynn took care of that for me when I bought them. I enjoy using the str8's. It's just that the more I read, I'm thinking I'm going to need a workshop for the amount of stones I'll need. I thought from what I read the 4/8k combo was good enough, I guess not, I guess I'll be buying more stuff.

Originally Posted by zib

It's just that the more I read, I'm thinking I'm going to need a workshop for the amount of stones I'll need. I thought from what I read the 4/8k combo was good enough, I guess not, I guess I'll be buying more stuff.

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........

I have maintained a Dubl Duck Wonderedge for about 30 years with a Moravian and a swaty stone purchased from American Hone Company - they are no longer in the hone business. These are barber hones
Until I joined this site i had never heard of most of the stones discussed on this forum.
I have never put any paste on a strop.
I have two strops and I usually go on the lenin about 20 strokes, then a sueded finnished stop and last a scotch shell for about 40 to sixty strokes.
I get great shaves, very little razor burn
About every four weeks I go on the swaty for about 4 to six strokes and about twice a years I use the
moravian on the rough side for about 4 strokes, then the smooth side for the same.
I also stop 12 to 20 times on the shell strop to dry the edge after shaving.
This system has worked for me. That is not to say it is for everyone.

I am planning on purchasing several hones just to see if I am missing anything and increase my knowledge.

Besides its fun.

Originally Posted by zib

Before I get far off base here, Are the Coticule and Escher for really anal shaver's. How far are you supposed to go. ...
Any help would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I have coticules and eschers, but I only shave my face!
... You can take it as far as you want, and maybe, just maybe, you can stop at any time!

Utopian, you made my day.

Zib, yes, you can shave with an edge created on an 8K Norton.

Rest assured though, I would seriously doubt it would perform and feel like the razor did when you received it from Lynn.

No, you don't need to buy every single hone discussed on this forum-but you will soon discover-once you start honing- why "Anal Shaver's" are so fond of Escher's, Coticules and very fine grit Shapton's

Seriously,

as alan said the hone doesn't matter all that much, the skill to use it does.