Buying a Hone and a Second Razor

So, I've been using a Thiers-Issard half hollow 6/8 razor and my stropping has been improving. But, the razor has gotten to the point where it does need a touch up because I'm starting to press harder to get a close shave. I've decided this is a good time to step it up and get a second razor and a hone.

I'm considering getting a 5/8 half hollow, but before I do I have a question. Because I have a fairly thick beard would a 5/8 straight be better than another 6/8?

My plan for the hone is to get a norton 4000/8000. In my previous job one of my co-workers very lovingly got me some Pakistani razors (yes I kept them for this exact purpose) and was planning on using these to practice honing.

Thoughts/Comments?

If I may suggest, barber hones were made specifically for refreshing the edge of a razor that is starting to decrease. I'd recommend considering one of those, it is quick and easy to use and would take care of most of your daily needs. A norton is also a very nice hone to have, but typically it is used when you need more than just a touch-up. They should both work well tho, and you really can't go wrong with either.
On honing the pakistani razors, there was a discussion about that here a little while back. I heard someone that argued that practicing honing on them is futile; if you are trying to hone a razor that can't be honed right, what could you possibly learn? I see the argument, and think it is mostly true, but perhaps you could practice the basic honing movements with them. Don't expect to learn much about proper honing tho.
On your second razor; I do not think your beard matters much with regards to what size of razor you should get. A quality razor should work fine either way. Personally, I shave with razors from 3/8 to 7/8 and enjoy them all, and get nice shaves from all of them. I'd recommend getting a size that you like, and one that goes well in your hand.
Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.

For your practice honing, it's an easy matter to find vintage straights in flea markets, etc. They can be found cheaply. You're not looking for nice razors, just something that you can put an edge on.

As for your heavy beard, most any size razor will be fine.

I think you need to evaluate what you are really after when it comes to your upkeep. For example, if you are interested in keeping a good edge, but will probably send your razors out to a honemeister, then a barber's hone is all you'll ever need.

If you think you may want to delve into honing on a larger level, then the 4/8 combo will be the better buy.

As for your second razor, I would recommend getting something that you know you'll shave with and enjoy. Having two razors of the same grind will help your technique, and touch-ups. Then with your third, try something different, because if it fails miserably and you don't enjoy it, you still have two nice ones that you'll use often.

My thoughts.

I'd stay away from the pakastani razors, even for honing practice. They're just going to aggravate you. I've never had one, but I hear they don't take or hold an edge. Do yourself a favor, and get a better razor off the classifieds, or even the bay, Check our "Razors to avoid" in the wiki. The Norton 4/8k is an excellent hone to learn on. It sounds to me like your beyond a Barber hone. As your shaving skill improves, you'll find that you'll be able to shave with sub par blades that go well beyond a Barber hones capability ime. Barber hones are very small, about 4 inches...They're great for maintaining a shave ready blade, but I've always found it hard to bring one back that's already dull and pulling...but that's me...I've always found it easier to go to another hone, Naniwa, Norton, even a Coticule. It's much easier when you have the right tools. By all means, if you have the funds, get a Barber's hone. They are good, as i said, for maintaining razors, not really for bringing them back. it takes too long. As far as blade width goes, 5/8th's, 6/8th's is personal preference. Both will shave you equally well. If you need help honing, or picking out a hone, Pm me....

Ok ok, this is the second time I've been warned about these pakistani razors. I will get rid of them. My thoughts were to use them to get used to the technique of honing. Use them to get a feel for it and then use my good razors to really get a grasp of what I'm doing.
I'm leaning more towards the 5/8 razor ... I can see that heading into the beginning of a collection of razors!

Thank you all for the advice!

I understand why you were considering practicing with Pakastani razors, but if they don't develop or hold an edge how will you be able to evaluate your developing honing skills?

You should be able to find cosmetically unappealing but functional vintage razors for next to nothing. If you can't, I'll send you one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fox

So, I've been using a Thiers-Issard half hollow 6/8 razor and my stropping has been improving. But, the razor has gotten to the point where it does need a touch up because I'm starting to press harder to get a close shave.

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I'm not sure if I'm reading this in the correct context but it may help a bit to not press harder. As I've learned, a lighter touch always gets better results. The razor size is just preference as far as I have experienced.

Just buy any razor you like as long as it's a quality one. The size or grind won't make shaving any easier.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ats200

I'm not sure if I'm reading this in the correct context but it may help a bit to not press harder. As I've learned, a lighter touch always gets better results. The razor size is just preference as far as I have experienced.

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well, the reason I'm pressing harder is because the razor is dull. I think part of it is that I'm still learning to strop, but it did last much longer than last time. Although, last time I was using a really cheap strop and newspaper. Now I have a MUCH better strop and it has linen on the other side too.

You sound alot like me. I've been straight shaving for about 2 months now and I've been lurking here for almost as long. I went with a starter kit from vintageblades.com and that was one of the brighter decisions I've made in life. It included a great brush, a good strop, and I got a great price on a norton 4k/8k stone with it.

One word of caution about getting into honing. It isn't cheaper. It doesn't save you time or money. I think it does provide immeasurable satisfaction in exercising a skill yourself, just like straight shaving. I would PM some of the honemeisters and LISTEN to their advice, vet your thoughts and purchases with them before pulling the trigger, and try your best to listen.... listening is very hard.

One more small piece of advice, the norton 4k/8k may look flat, but it's not flat. The one I bought had a small nipple rise in the center of the 8k side. I thought it would wear off. I was wrong. It turned out that the nipple was actually a winding S-curve in that entire side of the stone:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_2...2014.35.56.jpg
That little S-curve took 30 minutes to flatten out using a piece of marble as a base and 320 grit wet sanding paper. I decided to check the 4k side, since I was already laboring on the 8k side and it showed some very minor bowing in the center, which only took a few passes to flatten out.

Lucky for me, I didn't learn this lesson on my brand new Dovo. I learned this lesson on a freebie Golden Dollar <-- Comparable to your Pakistani razors. I spent a good few days working the edge of the GD. It would cut hairs off of the 4k, but I had to play with my strokes to work around the poorly shaped shoulder in the GD. I suspect that the Pakistani razors have similar issues. I think there is much to be learned from this. There are threads on many shaving forums that will tell you what to look for in terms of pitfalls with these razors. With that said, they can still be sharpened and they can still be shaved with and skills can still be developed with them. Mind you, you are still trying to polish a turd, but I believe there is merit in trying to polish a turd too... even if all you learn is that you don't like playing with poo.

Good luck on your journey. I'm going to post a more thorough article in the Honing forum.

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Originally Posted by Nphocus

One word of caution about getting into honing. It isn't cheaper. It doesn't save you time or money. I think it does provide immeasurable satisfaction in exercising a skill yourself, just like straight shaving. I would PM some of the honemeisters and LISTEN to their advice, vet your thoughts and purchases with them before pulling the trigger, and try your best to listen.... listening is very hard.

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Nphocus, luckily I'm not really looking to save time or money. You are right, it does provide quite a bit of satisfaction.

I did decide to go completely different and get a Boker Edelweiss.

I am looking over the honing information. I have a lot of studying to do!

I recommend that a person have at least two razors. The reason for that is that a person can quickly tell when one is dulling. If I shave with one razor and get a nice shave and the next day with the other and receive a poor shave I know what is wrong.
Hones are something to get into after a time spent shaving. Read on the honing threads to get an idea of what works and how long it takes to get good at honing. If you live near a hone person, PM them to ask if they would hone for you and/or teach you to hone.
Some folks buy a lot of hones and then don't ever use them due to time constraints or loss of interest. Read a lot and don't get caught by the latest buzz as to the Über hone of the week.
Respectfully
~Richard