None. You have free honing for life on that blade.
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None. You have free honing for life on that blade.
True story. But if you wanted to maintain a blade you would want to look at a barbers hone or something like a chinese 12k.
+1 on lifetime honing there...certainly not a blade I would want to lose my honing virginity to.
If, however, you have interest in finding ebay or antique store finds and honing them up yourself, I would go with the Naniwa 3/8 as it gives you the best bang for your buck. You'll also probably need a good 1k grit as well to set your bevel.
The right choice of hones is determined by too many variables to give an authoritative answer as to what tools are required for honing. As a beginner, you should at the very least read the article What hone(s) do I need?, and preferably also familiarise with the articles in the honing category.
Fantastic razor, by the way. I would absolutely not use it to learn honing.
Some great advice here, please take it to heart.
FIrst off, I have to say you guys are really quick to help out a newbie. Thanks you all for answering my questions, I was aware of the free honing but thought it would be a good skill to learn since you never know if the site ever goes down. I wouldn't use this razor for learning honing, this was the one I would use to experiment with Kriegar Sharp Stainless Steel Straight Razors for $9.99 Again, thank you all.
I hope you did not buy that kriegar yet.
please familiarize yourself with this:
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo411m
no, I didn't by the test blade yet. I only planned on getting it if/when I was ready to learn honing.
I can't seem to find it right now but there was a post discussing the use of trash razors for learning to hone on. A number of members seemed to think it was a bad idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo411m
**EDIT**
I found the post...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ning-hone.html
Don't. Learning to hone on a lousy razor will probably be more detrimental than helpful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo411m
I'd suggest getting an inexpensive one from the SRP classifieds. You can take a shot at eBay or a local antique store as well, but that's a bit riskier when you're starting out and not sure what to look for.
EDIT: There are currently three razors on the first page of the classifieds for $40 or less.
Also, to answer your original question, I'd also suggest looking at either a good barber's hone or a pasted strop/paddle for in-between as those are both relatively inexpensive. When I decided to buy some stones, I went with a Naniwa 1k, Norton 4k/8k combo, Naniwa 12k and a DMT 325 for lapping. I also have a strop pasted with chromium oxide. I don't have a basis for comparison but I'm happy with the hones I purchased. The Naniwas work well (and great prices from SRD) and there is a ton of information about the Nortons.
between those two hones, definitely the naniwa combo. it's more versatile and has friendlier feedback.
If you want to learn to hone, try getting one of the gold dollars on ebay. They are cheap but shave well once honed up properly, and that way if you ruin it you are only out about $15. You would have to try pretty hard to completely ruin a razor though.
Geo411, I'm a newbie too!! Just getting started like you.. I have purchased "shave ready" blades from reputable SRP members who have restored the razors I bought and brought them to shave ready condition.. I am not an expert at all.. and so have read a lot and asked a ton of questions... My understanding is that honing is not really necessary for several months to 6 monthis depending on how many razors you shave with..Stropping is however necessary daily for mainenance.. The honing skills come later... I was advised to buy the DVD from Lynn on this sight.. I have watched it 3 times so far and find something new each time.. The section on honing is great! He shows you a lot of hones, technicques etc.. you have a beautiful razor and if it were me, another newbie, I'd learn to hone on something else from the Classifieds on SRP (100% reputable) or ebay... 10.00 cheaper but higher shipping and handling and at this point you may not know enough to know when your getting taken... I went to an antique store and bought two peices of junk for the price I could have bought a real nice shave ready razor from SRP classifieds.. There are plenty of nice razors for sale there for between 30.00 to 50.00.. It may take a week or two but worth the effort... Easier to learn how to maintain an edge than to make an edge and requires less equipment.. I don't know much, enfact I've summed up almost all I know.. Oh .. I also know that stainless blades are hard to hone... start somewhere else.. good luck.. These are great guys and very helpful... almost erie to me.. happy holidays!! Maq
Why free honing for life, pray tell?
I have a Dovo stainless-steel razor and I also bought a Belgian Blue/Yellow Coticule combo, thinking that maybe I would be self-sufficient.
Now, I wouldn't want to ruin the blade of my beautiful razor, so where in the UK would I send it to be honed properly?
AD
Adydye,
Try www.razorsharpening.co.uk I've just sent a cheap Cyril R Salter to them to be sharpened. Just waiting for it to arrive in the post.
There are 2 ordering options on the site depending on the value of the razor. Cost wise very little difference, just the extra to cover the higher insurance level.
I sent them a mail to see if I sent it to them would it be possible to get it back before Christmas. Sent it Tuesday of last week and got a mail Monday of this week to say it was on the way back.
The blade was never shave ready, so can't wait to see how it is now.
Steve is the guy there, and must admit feedback from him was excelent. Notified when razor arrived to him, initial impression of the quality of the razor, post honing comments and notification of dispatch.
Will let you know what the blade is like when I start shaving with it when I get it back if you would like.
Stuart.
Yeah, Steve can put a wicked edge on a razor and also sells Dovo, T.I. and vintage razors along with hones strops etc.
Sturat74, you're lucky he was able to put an edge on the Salter, they're on the razors to avoid list in the wiki here.
Thanks for that, Stuart.
I've had a look at the site and they seem pretty much on the ball, don't they?
Yes, let me know how you get on!
All the best,
Ady
Ady,
Will let you know when I get it back.
Danny,
I say in the wiki that it is one to avoid, however only having found this site in the last few weeks I had bought the Cyril razor some time back in a set from the Gentleman's shop.
Steve did mention that the Cyril was not the best quality, but thankfully he was able to put an edge on it. I'll probably just use it to practice stropping and may adventure to honing using it.
Learning to hone with the Salter might not be the best idea, Stuart. You'll never be sure if you're failing to get a decent edge due to your raw honing technique, or the poor quality of the razor. When you progress to learning to hone you'd be better off asking for some advice in the honing forum and then posting a WTB ad for cheap razors suitable to learn with. Nobody here would rip you off and sell you something unsuitable.
Good luck shaving with the razor when you get it back from Steve!
Ady,
Got the razor back from Steve. Must admit it is now shave ready. If you still need to get yours sharpened sent it to him. He did a great job on mine.
Shaved with it today. Smooth shave, few nicks but nothing major. Not any where near as good as the Dovo BL I have.
If you have a good quality blade, I think you will be very happy with it when you get it back from Steve.
DW,
You were right about the quality of the Salter, ok but could be so much better. I have a Dovo BL that is miles better than it.
Stuart.
You would probably be better off going to an antique store getting a decent straight for cheap and hone it back to new.
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for the update.
I'm in Saudi Arabia for the minute with my Dovo Stainless and strop. I had my third shave last night after an interim "healing" period (on my first shave I inflicted quite a deep wound and on my second I took the top off it!), and it was very smooth. The chin area needs a bit of work but coming along.
I will definitely give Steve a whirl when I'm back in UK in February
Season's Greetings,
Ady
Ady,
Had one of those deep wounds last week from the shavette I was using. Tried to take my top lip off. Not good. Won't be using it again.
Happy holidays and enjoy the sun in Saudi.
Stuart.
Thanks Stuart.
You are either a milkman, an insomniac, or working night shift!
All the best,
Ady
Ady,
I was working the night shift. Was just home after work when I posted.
I have shaved with the Salter a few times now, must admit Steve did a great job. Getting a nice shave from it. Must have lucked out and got a good blade.
Stuart.
:HJ
You should really start a thread, but since you're new, you obviously didn't know.
Out of those, I've only tried the DMT. It cut's fast, but the edge is definitely in need of refinement after, so you'd need another stone.
Based on that, I'd go with the Naniwa's. They're a quality stone & they are also reputedly fast cutters.
That said, I really wouldn't practice on that blade, & if it's just to maintain & not do serious work, how about a barber's hone? Glen at Gem Star Customs has recently started selling vintage ones. He's a member & you can trust him to know a good one.