Thread: Help! Have a question i was wondering for a while.

I have been Straight razor shaving for a bit now. My razors are beginning to tug and pull. My question is that what is the use for a barbers hone? Can i use a barbers hone to re sharpen my razors?
Or should i buy a set of hones which i was planning to do in the near future.
Please id like all the info i can get.
Thank You in advance
Josip

A barber hone is used to touch up a shave ready razor when the edge begins going downhill. It works well if the user has the skill and if the edge isn't too far gone. The set of hones is to bring a dull edge all the way to shave ready. The higher grit stones can perform the touch up function of a barber hone as well, if the end user has the skills. I know some guys who say they've maintained razors with a barber hone for quite some time. I started with the hones and , aside for trying a barber hone once in awhile, have stuck with the set.

Hello Josip,
Barber hones were & still are used to refresh a razor's edge, but a barber hone in the hands of a person who has not honed before , can dull an edge even more.

You don't necessarily need a set of hones, you can purchase a finisher.

Use the "Advance" search feature , above right, put in key words whatever you want to learn about,,,, such as finishing hones, barber hones, refreshing a razor,,,etc.

What grit stone would you suggest to just maintain my razors edge? Is the Shelton 16k glass stone a nice stone to do this job?

Hi Josip! Jimmy and Hirlau gave you some great instruction. I've been fortunate in maintaining my blades with a barber hone after my regular barber retired last year. He did all of my honing, and was kind enough to teach me how/when to use a barber hone.
Buying hones is one thing: learning how to appropriately use them is quite another.

Originally Posted by Josip101

What grit stone would you suggest to just maintain my razors edge? Is the Shelton 16k glass stone a nice stone to do this job?

It is a good finisher. The naniwa 12k is also real good. Also check out the SRP library here. Look for the honing section in razor maintenance.

Yes, a Shapton 16000, will do a beautiful job, but not cheap, there are others,,,,,you may want to consider a set, like Jimmy said, it will take you through the whole process, but $$$$.

Remember Josip, hones are like Lays Potato Chips,,you can't have just one.

Thank you guys for the great Info...and Hirlau I really like the potato chip analogy
Thanks again
Josip