Thread: Renewing the edge.

Hello everyone. I've been straight shaving for around four months and my razor is starting to dull. It still shaves fine but it's wanting to tug more and causing more iritation. It's not bad enough that it needs a full blown honing just a touch up. I've been looking at a barbers hone but I'd prefer a newer hone so I can be sure of quality. I'd prefer to have a hone as apposed to a pasted strop. What brand, grits, ext do you suggest?

Here's a suggestion; If you want a barber's hone, and you want to be sure of quality....

take a browser over to Gem Star Customs - Welcome GemStar Customs

I'm pretty sure Glen (gssixgun) only puts up tried and tested barber's hones and such on his pages

He's usually got a couple hones up on his site.

I will not argue with what Maxi said. Glen would be a great source for a tried and tested barber hone if that is the route you decide to take.

Personally, I always found Barber Hones a little hard to use. My recommendation would be to start with a 12k Naniwa Superstone. I am by no means a honemeister, but the 12k Nani is the stone that made everything click for me and it removes many variables. Of course, the downside is the cost as it will run you double the price of a barber hone.

You shouldn't need to remove the amount of metal that would require a stone. Try stropping more with your linen/canvas strop first to see if that brings back your edge. Don't be shy about it; get in there and really strop that blade. The canvas strop is capable of substituting for a finishing hone.

Yes, a strop can substitute for a hone for a while, but not indefinitely.

To Devilpup, I can assure you that quality is quite high among barber hones. If you'd like to give them a second look, send me a PM and I can help you pick out a few on eBay. I'll even give you suggestions for bid amounts.

I'm with Utopian... long-term stropping will change the edge profile to the point that you can't restore the edge with a barber's hone alone, but will have to go back to a bevel-setter (~1000 grit), then invest in something like a Norton 4k/8k and probably a nice polisher beyond the 8k. There lurks the madness of HAD (Hone Acquisition Disorder). I'm lucky to have a two-sided Frictionite, which I bought decades ago for another purpose altogether. I do a pyramid on that--10 strokes on rough side, 10 on fine side, then 7 and 7, 5 and 5, 3 and 3, and 1 and 5. If that doesn't bring back a nice edge I open up the Hone Zoo and start with a fresh bevel.

I hope you take Utopian up on his very generous offer. May you resist HAD for a few months at least.

Best wishes!

Thank you all so much. Utopian I tried but your inbox is full so it won't let me send.

Pup, Utopian has yet to tell me wrong, but I'm with Frank. The Nani 12 is likely my next rock. A Swaty or the like will keep you going, but not with the edge quality you'd like to be used to. Maybe Utopian has some tricks about their use I've not run across. If anyone did, it would be him. Or a modest coticule bout. With the bout, you could do it all - not just maintain an edge. I think the honorable Utopian as a similar weakness for the Belgians. I got one bout retail for about the price of the Nani 12.

Originally Posted by Fbones24

I will not argue with what Maxi said. Glen would be a great source for a tried and tested barber hone if that is the route you decide to take.

Personally, I always found Barber Hones a little hard to use. My recommendation would be to start with a 12k Naniwa Superstone. I am by no means a honemeister, but the 12k Nani is the stone that made everything click for me and it removes many variables. Of course, the downside is the cost as it will run you double the price of a barber hone.

+1
The 12k Naniwa Superstone is well "super". I highly
recommend it or the 10K Naniwa Superstone combined
with a DMT to keep it flat.

I would note that we call some some folk honemasters for
a reason. If after trying you cannot refresh your razor
there is no problem in sending it back out.

If there is a trick with the Naniwa Superstone stones
it is to hone smoothly and slowly after lapping half
the thickness of a sheet of paper from the hone.
Five or ten maybe 20 strokes without rinsing the slurry from
the hone then finish with five to ten maybe 20
smooth hone strokes no slurry -- clear water only.

Strop -- shave test.... Repeat if needed.

Hello all, if I may state what I think I learned while lurking and reading. A 4k/8k is a stone that restores an edge to your razor, then u need to use a hone which is a different type and grit like a 12k. Is this correct? Because I just ordered a shaving kit and have started shaving, finished the 3rd one today. it is awfully painful and it feels like the razor is ripping the hairs out of my face rather than cutting them off. I realize there is a learning curve and all, but wow. I have a 4k/8k stone, linen and leather strop. I think I need a hone in the 12 k level to get a much better shave. I will keep lurking and reading, but thanks in advance for the insight.