Thread: 1/4 Nortons

Straight razor blades are only about three inches long. The quarter-sized Norton stones would be plenty big enough in my opinion. I find that larger stones like the full-sized Nortons are great for things like ten-inch kitchen knives and plane blades but not particularly advantageous for smaller blades.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Straight razor blades are only about three inches long. The quarter-sized Norton stones would be plenty big enough in my opinion. I find that larger stones like the full-sized Nortons are great for things like ten-inch kitchen knives and plane blades but not particularly advantageous for smaller blades.

That is a good point! However I have taught a few persons to hone and getting them to keep the full cutting edge of the razor on a full sized hone takes constant reminding. It takes a while to feel comfortable making strokes on a hone. Having to think of a turnaround flip sooner can be confusing. I find some students take about an hour just to remember to keep the spine on the stone while flipping the razor for the next pass. Some of my students, have had enough trouble flipping at the end of a standard length hone.
For myself, renewing old blades I like a long hone as I make fewer laps on it than I would on a shorter hone. If I was only occasionally touching up razors of my rotation,your point would be useful. And...yes I do have shorter hones for that. Long hones though for a resetting of the bevel and edge.
~Richard

I guess the upside to smaller hones is that you'd get more practice & develop great dexterity but we usually try to recommend an easy approach for beginners.

Hey, maybe quarter sized strops,,,you could be on to something here.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Hey, maybe quarter sized strops,,,you could be on to something here.

Hey don't laugh . I used to use an auto strop for a while. Worked well esp. as a travel strop.

I used one on the back of a barber hone, a year ago, not sure if it did any good or not. Got a good shave though.

I think whipped dog recomends doing small circles instead of a standard stroke, not a honer yet but it seems that when you got full-size hones you would have to relearn.

Why buy garbage because it's cheap, only to start saving for what you really need and what really works after? Save your money and get a real hone, a full sized one.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Straight razor blades are only about three inches long. The quarter-sized Norton stones would be plenty big enough in my opinion. I find that larger stones like the full-sized Nortons are great for things like ten-inch kitchen knives and plane blades but not particularly advantageous for smaller blades.

Let's look at what the Escher company called the Barber's Delight and Barber's Choice. 6" long x 2" wide. The usual size coticule furnished to barbers, by the pro suppliers was 5"x2 1/2". These were made for the express purpose of honing razors. Had a 2"x3" size been appropriate I'm sure that would have been the default size. An 8"x3" hone is even better, IME, for speeding up the process. YMMV.

You know, Cheap can be good, but not this time. From what I read, the large 8x3 set (2 double sided hones and a flattening hone) is 130.00 to 140.00 dollars depending on where you buy it. If funds are an issue, I'd save my money and buy a full set. Believe me, you'll be glad you waited. If I were learning I'd want to give myself every opportunity to succeed. Now, while the small 2x3 hones may be usable, they're definitely not the best or even adequate for razor honing imo, especially for a novice.

In addition to doing "just" circles you want to hone heel leading. Doing that type of stroke would be almost impossible on that little hone. Forget about smiling blades altogether. Normally Barber's hones come in pocket sizes, so do some Arkies. They're meant for maintaining a shave ready blade, 3-5 strokes, or touch up's. Not full honing. That wasn't the intended purpose.

Now, I have no problem with anyone wanting to make some money, especially in this economy, but not at the expense of novice users. Do yourself a favor and buy the full size hones. There's a reason Norton doesn't sell them in pocket sizes. These are my opinions.