Thread: General advice

Hey everyone,

I posted an indroduction in another thread, but I thought I should introduce myself quickly here and ask what stupid question I may have.

So at the moment I have been using a shavette for a month and a bit, eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first straight. I have all the starting supplies I believe I need (badger brush, cheap bowl I found in the kitchen, razor, soap, cream, styptic pencil because lets be honest, 2 strops one for every shave and one to put paste onto, and proraso aftershave which I love the smell of). So I think I am good in that regard.

However; I was wondering for future knowledge, if there is anyone in Melbourne who hones razors? At the moment I can not really afford my own stones and risk stuffing up a razor.

Also, if I was able to get a single honing stone, which one would be a good single stone to have?

Does anyone have any hidden gems of places to buy supplies from at a reasonable price?

And finally (for now anyway) has anyone had any problems importing razors? Or any other legal issues that may arise such as traveling with one.

Cheers in advance
Mark


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I believe cheapest and safest best would be Norton 4k/8k
You can go for a coticule, same price as norton 4k/8k can give you an okay size stone but smaller than norton and might be a bit harder to learn. Really need to make sure you get a nice coti though
Jnat I believe you could get one for around norton price and it be okay price as well. Japanese chef knife. Sharpening stone. Razor strop. Japanese Razor Is a good place to look. You could buy a stone that isn't insane finisher but really good for touching up razor.
What would probably be easiest for you is to buy Naniwa super stone 8k and 12k. 8k for touching up and 12k for finishing. Can get a 5k for another 60 I believe. Stones are big and reliable

Originally Posted by Christian1

I believe cheapest and safest best would be Norton 4k/8k
You can go for a coticule, same price as norton 4k/8k can give you an okay size stone but smaller than norton and might be a bit harder to learn. Really need to make sure you get a nice coti though
Jnat I believe you could get one for around norton price and it be okay price as well. Japanese chef knife. Sharpening stone. Razor strop. Japanese Razor Is a good place to look. You could buy a stone that isn't insane finisher but really good for touching up razor.
What would probably be easiest for you is to buy Naniwa super stone 8k and 12k. 8k for touching up and 12k for finishing. Can get a 5k for another 60 I believe. Stones are big and reliable

Hey Christian1,

Thanks for the help. That definitely gives me a few different options for stones. It looks like the norton seems to be the most reasonable price from the get go. I'll just have to find somewhere that will ship to Aus.

Shame that all this is so expensive because I think more people would use straights if they could afford it.

Cheers
Mark


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Aloha!

I agree on the Norton 4/8k. Looks like you are set for your first attempt. You may want to follow Lynn Abram's advice from here on SRP. He has a stellar video that highlights the very FIRST pass on your face for a noob with a straight razor and when to STOP on your first attempt. I totally agree with him on this. One step at a time. Don't push it on th first attempt. He also shows the difference between a Straight Razor and a Shavette angle of attack. This may be very useful to you coming from a Shavette and migrating toward a straight blade.

Regarding honing, I am just getting into doing it myself and for years have had a guy in Hawaii that hones for me. I'm sure you can find a person to hone a razor for you in Melbourne. Lots of gentlemen prefer NOT to hone themselves, so you are not alone if you choose this path. I sent my razors out for honing for decades.

Lynn's Video if you have not seen it;



Mahalo!

-Zip

pm Onimaru (Oz) he hones ,, to answer your question or do a search in the area there are few guys In Oz get them done till your comfortable then either get a 4/8 Norton or 3/8 naniwa Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

pm Onimaru (Oz) he hones ,, to answer your question or do a search in the area there are few guys In Oz get them done till your comfortable then either get a 4/8 Norton or 3/8 naniwa Tc

Hey tcrideshd,

Thanks for that. I'll get onto that now. I prob won't need it done for a while, so I am getting a bit ahead of myself but I do like being prepared

Cheers
Mark


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I second the 4/8. However, is the razor shave ready to begin with? It will help alot.

Also, leave the secpnd strop with out paste for now. Many beginners butcher their strops, so having one to learn on and a second to keep in good nick until you have the stropping memory down.

Best of luck!

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

pm Onimaru (Oz) he hones ,, to answer your question or do a search in the area there are few guys In Oz get them done till your comfortable then either get a 4/8 Norton or 3/8 naniwa Tc

Welcome.

+1 to find a local... advice above.

Once the razor is correctly honed a touch up once in two months may only need a single good 12K hone
like the Naniwa 12k or Shapton 10K hone...

If you go with the Norton combo 4k/8k hone your can get great edges with the pyramid method.
A new Norton Combo can be helped by wearing the surface down by the thickness of heavy paper
to get past the surface effect from the release stuff used to make the hone.
You may find bargains for name brand Japanese hones because you are closer. The sushi guys
love hones in the 8K to 10K range so visit good knife shops.

Do shop for hones knowing that a set of hones from a single maker will work better than a mix
of makers. You can start near the fine end, 8k or 12k, and be happy for years adding one or two as needed
or wanted. The extreme fine stones in the range 18K to 30k are crazy expensive and often need an 8k or so to set
the stage for them.

If your honemaster services are too far and too expensive start with a 4/8 Norton or 3/8 naniwa combo hone.
In the US there are many honing services just a short inexpensive round trip via the post so in the US a
12K would be my recommendation for a single shaver's hone to maintain a well honed razor.


Have fun.

Another site I have used.

https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/S...Stones-C1.aspx

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Welcome.

+1 to find a local... advice above.

Once the razor is correctly honed a touch up once in two months may only need a single good 12K hone
like the Naniwa 12k or Shapton 10K hone...

If you go with the Norton combo 4k/8k hone your can get great edges with the pyramid method.
A new Norton Combo can be helped by wearing the surface down by the thickness of heavy paper
to get past the surface effect from the release stuff used to make the hone.
You may find bargains for name brand Japanese hones because you are closer. The sushi guys
love hones in the 8K to 10K range so visit good knife shops.

Do shop for hones knowing that a set of hones from a single maker will work better than a mix
of makers. You can start near the fine end, 8k or 12k, and be happy for years adding one or two as needed
or wanted. The extreme fine stones in the range 18K to 30k are crazy expensive and often need an 8k or so to set
the stage for them.

If your honemaster services are too far and too expensive start with a 4/8 Norton or 3/8 naniwa combo hone.
In the US there are many honing services just a short inexpensive round trip via the post so in the US a
12K would be my recommendation for a single shaver's hone to maintain a well honed razor.


Have fun.

Yeah, so far Oz is the closest one I know of, but he is a bit far away, so when I have the money I'll send my razor off to him. Plus he comes pretty highly recommended.

Good thing my birthday is coming up, sounds like I have a few hones to ask for haha

I have never been to a knife shop. So I will have a look into that and maybe make a few calls.

Thanks for all the help


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