Thread: What kind of hone?

If you are only getting one stone, you have several options. I would recommend either a two sided barbers hone or a coticule because they are both very versatile and capable of maintaining your razor very effectively.

A norton 4k/8k is another very good option, but I'd wager that you'd want to get some pastes to help you with that edge. It is more than capable of delivering great edges, but it's not as easy to get on this stone as it is on the barbers hone.

I personally prefer the coticule but it's for various reasons, and they are mostly personal preference.

Also, just so you know, any high grit hone (synthetic or natural) will be just fine assuming you learn how to use it...

Good luck with your decision.

not sure if this helps you being over in the US, but I bought a 5000 and 12000 chinese waterstones from this Polish store on ebay:-

eBay.ie Shop: Search results for brzytwa.

Though the chinese 12k is inexpensive it would take forever to touch up a razor with it imo.

now you tell me Hoping to test this out in a few days when it arrives....dont mind it taking a good few laps, but I think it should be decent at bringing back an already good edge?

Originally Posted by life2short1971

Though the chinese 12k is inexpensive it would take forever to touch up a razor with it imo.

It should be fine as long as all you're doing is touching up an edge. You can use the slurry stone to increase the cutting power as well if you want to.

It should freshen an already good edge. i would use it at the first signs of degradation if it was my only hone.

perfect, thanks. I think my razor only needs a very slight touch up, stropping is no longer getting that nice smooth sharp edge....getting a little pulling now and again.

It might take 200 strokes or more though and be sure its lapped smooth.

Coticules just don't work out of the box. There's a learning curve, plus, they vary from hone to hone. Some are hard, green, or pale yellow, and make good finishers. You get one of those, and you'll only sharpen your patience. Other's are soft, make better cutters, They're great hones, but not what I'd suggest you learn to hone on. YMMV.

Honestly, you said you have one razor, if you dont plan on getting more, I'd send it out, and just buy a barber's hone, or then a Coticule...Once the blade is honed properly, all you have to do, is a few swipes on your Barber hone, and it will stay shave ready for a ridiculouly long time. I've had blades last 6 months to 1 year by doing 3-5 passes on a barber hone before I use them.

A Barber's hone can be had for less than 50 bucks I'd imagine...Check the classifieds....

The Naniwa 3K/8K combination stone is a nice one. Doesn't have to be soaked to use, just spray some water on.