Thread: Questions and input on hones

This is a constant, and justifiable question. For maintenance of an already sharp razor, a barber hone can be all you need. For restorations, you'll need a 1k bevel setter, a sharpener around 4k, and a polisher at 8k. Optionally, you can get a higher grit hone for a slightly more comfortable shave. Then you can use your finest hone for maintenance.

Do a lot of reading around here. Also, see if you can find someone near you to hone with you in person. This will speed up your progress tremendously.

+1 to Utopian.

A lot of people use the Nortons. They are reasonably priced, and they come in combo stones (220/1k, 4/8k), so if you're tight for space like I was when I began, then that's another bonus. Lots of people also like the Naniwa set, although I can only really comment on the 12k. I've used the 3 and th 8, but not enough to speak about them.

It may also help at the beginning to stay with one set. That way you'll develop a feel for the hones, and you can set benchmarks for sharpness tests as you become comfortable with them.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thank you all for your input and help so far. I will be looking at the wiki link and look at everything you guys have pointed me towards... I have to say, it's pretty cool to beable to come to a place like this and get so many people eager to help and so quickly at that! Thank you all again.