Thread: Newbie question

Originally Posted by heirkb

I've heard that Naniwa's are much better than Nortons, so I figured I'd get the Naniwa 3k/8k instead of the Norton.
I was also gonna get a 1k Naniwa as well. In terms of the 5k, I read that you're able to skip the 5 even though it makes things easier, so I figured I'd skip it for now since I want to avoid spending too much.

In terms of finishing stones, I'm a little more confuse though.
So a barber hone is one choice. A coticule is another it seems.
First, where can I get a good barber hone (good brand)? Also, if I were to get a coticule, would it be enough as a finishing stone? Do I need to use a slurry, or is using a slurry for when you want to use the coticule in a way other than as a finishing stone?
Thank you for all your responses

I can't speak to Naniwa's from experience, but I've only heard rave reviews of them so you might be right in those choices. 3K/8K would be adequate though for sure. Finishers, I don't have enough experience with the barber hones to speak to specific brands, but I would still lean towards the coticule. It is enough to be a great finishing stone, but the beauty of it is that the slurry makes it aggressive enough to do more than a typical finisher. In fact, there are guys that use only a coticule for honing. If you want one, discuss it with Bart. He's an expert in coticules and will be able to help you get the right one.

Thanks Paul. Just one more question. Who is Bart?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. I agree with Sham but thought I would mention that a Norton combo set which includes a 220/1000, a 4000/8000 and a flattening stone is another option that will run you in the neighborhood of $120.00 IIRC. It sounds like you might want to take your honing further and that will give you a good start.

With Naniwas I would go 1, 3, 5 and 8 single grit and a DMT D8C to lap them. Just what I would ..... and did do. If I was going for a coticule I would get an 8x2 or 8x3 natural blue and yellow combo with slurry stones and the above DMT D8C continuous diamond plate to flatten them.

What about the 12K nani? It's my finisher...I just don't see many others using it & don't understand why. It leaves my SR's with a nice & smooth shaving edge....

Originally Posted by heirkb

Thanks Paul. Just one more question. Who is Bart?

Bart is Bart

Originally Posted by heirkb

So to summarize. Assuming I have an edge that needs some work but isn't too bad, I would need 1k, 3k/8k and a barber hone or coticule and then stropping? Do I not even need the balsa strop then?

For this you don't need 1k.3/8 . etc
Above will help you set bevel 1k and sharpen blade 3/8 k/
In case if You already have a good edge just want to refresh your edge then chooses will be
barber hone, coticule ,chinese etc(there is more out there)
their order doesn't mean anything as you know already depends price ,fine job etc order's will change.
Everyone uses Balsa strop now days and it will not hurt you to have. cheap and very helpful.
Trust me in this . it is not easy to recommend someone to choose the stone.
what happen Every single person has their own ways.
When you try to help next person you don't know what to say. I am sure you will have different opinions on this issue and most of them will be correct and against each other. That is natural and it should be that way. you have to make your own mind(compare idea's to each others)

My Personal choose will be an Escher or Japanese stone BUT
How much they will cost? Tons of money right? that is why i never mention that stones.
Next best will be Barber hones why ?cheapest and effective way keep the edge. so on and on.
In The other hand i would say oh no go head get Coticule you can put final edge+ sharpen razor?
oops forget about Norton the best stone for newbees in my opinion etc etc.
you see how complicated it goes.?
GL

+1
What he said...

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

For this you don't need 1k.3/8 . etc
Above will help you set bevel 1k and sharpen blade 3/8 k/
In case if You already have a good edge just want to refresh your edge then chooses will be
barber hone, coticule ,chinese etc(there is more out there)
their order doesn't mean anything as you know already depends price ,fine job etc order's will change.
Everyone uses Balsa strop now days and it will not hurt you to have. cheap and very helpful.
Trust me in this . it is not easy to recommend someone to choose the stone.
what happen Every single person has their own ways.
When you try to help next person you don't know what to say. I am sure you will have different opinions on this issue and most of them will be correct and against each other. That is natural and it should be that way. you have to make your own mind(compare idea's to each others)

My Personal choose will be an Escher or Japanese stone BUT
How much they will cost? Tons of money right? that is why i never mention that stones.
Next best will be Barber hones why ?cheapest and effective way keep the edge. so on and on.
In The other hand i would say oh no go head get Coticule you can put final edge+ sharpen razor?
oops forget about Norton the best stone for newbees in my opinion etc etc.
you see how complicated it goes.?
GL

Hmm...so with YMMV in mind as always, I think that to start, I'll go with the 1k and 3k/8k. Then I'll choose between a barber hone and a coticule for finishing.
Could you recommend where to get barber hones/which ones to buy?
I sent Bart an email about the coticules to see what he thinks about that.
In terms of the balsa strop, what does it really do for the edge and when do people typically use it? I thought people used it as a replacement for a finishing hone, so wouldn't it be overkill to finish a razor's edge and then use the balsa?
I promise you guys my questions will stop soon
Thanks

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

For this you don't need 1k.3/8 . etc
Above will help you set bevel 1k and sharpen blade 3/8 k/
In case if You already have a good edge just want to refresh your edge then chooses will be
barber hone, coticule ,chinese etc(there is more out there)
their order doesn't mean anything as you know already depends price ,fine job etc order's will change.
Everyone uses Balsa strop now days and it will not hurt you to have. cheap and very helpful.
Trust me in this . it is not easy to recommend someone to choose the stone.
what happen Every single person has their own ways.
When you try to help next person you don't know what to say. I am sure you will have different opinions on this issue and most of them will be correct and against each other. That is natural and it should be that way. you have to make your own mind(compare idea's to each others)

My Personal choose will be an Escher or Japanese stone BUT
How much they will cost? Tons of money right? that is why i never mention that stones.
Next best will be Barber hones why ?cheapest and effective way keep the edge. so on and on.
In The other hand i would say oh no go head get Coticule you can put final edge+ sharpen razor?
oops forget about Norton the best stone for newbees in my opinion etc etc.
you see how complicated it goes.?
GL

I agree with you Sham... Very good points! I love the edges I've shaved with off the Escher and Japanese Natural stones... Excellent points...

Originally Posted by heirkb

Hmm...so with YMMV in mind as always, I think that to start, I'll go with the 1k and 3k/8k. Then I'll choose between a barber hone and a coticule for finishing.
Could you recommend where to get barber hones/which ones to buy?
I sent Bart an email about the coticules to see what he thinks about that.
In terms of the balsa strop, what does it really do for the edge and when do people typically use it? I thought people used it as a replacement for a finishing hone, so wouldn't it be overkill to finish a razor's edge and then use the balsa?
I promise you guys my questions will stop soon
Thanks

Basically Barber hones millions out there. your best way will be bay at first then member's from srp or classified.
which one most of them will do the job.
swaty ,keen cutter, double duck dry hone. coborundum etc. if you want to have some idea about them please read this thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...teristics.html


Again please understand depends what you are planning to do your chooses could be change.
above link should help you a little.
check wiki too we may have some information in there.

I agree with the other guys on here if you just want to touch up the edge then a fine batbers hone or chinese 12K is ideal, with regards to the comments of the 12k being slow, I say make a good slurry and it can be twice as fast, after all how fast do you want to go? I find it relaxing to hone a razor at a nice slow pace as this gives me more control.
One thing the 12K cant do is reset an edge and thats were the cot has the edge.

You will end up buying more and more razors and the stones will also increase as you develop your skills.