New to Honing

I am planning on being new to honing in the very near future. I am looking for the best hone for the money, on a limited budget. I am thinking the Naniwa 3/8/12 combo, with either the Naniwa lapping plate or DMT 325(?) or a Norton 4/8 and Nani 12 with the DMT. Which setup would be best, considering my inexperience?

I have one razor (Pabst-Kohller Tramp) I don't currently use due to its habit of grabbing my whiskers and not letting go, and another Ralph Aust) (that I'm not going to mess with till I know what I am doing) that still shaves well, but is getting to need a touch up. I still have a coupon from the honemeister for a free hone on that one, so no problems there -- just need to get the first up to near par before I send it out.

I will be sure to view the videos before I destroy the Pabst.

My ultimate goal is to get into restoring, but that is further down the line. Right now, I wish to develop maintenance, and possibly setting the bevel if necessary.

Very little practical difference in the 3/8 Naniwa and the 4/8 Norton they both work and work well..

Just from the OCD side of my brain talking if I were planning on the Naniwa 12k as the finisher I would lean toward the 3/8, but only because it appeals to my sense of order in the universe :p


And without a doubt the 325 DMT is the right choice, by far the most useful hone/plate on my bench

That was my instinct -- and for the same reason:beer1:
Have to keep the unicerse in order!

The 3K should be able to improve the bevel if necessary, or should I look at a 1K to even attempt it? Time is not an issue, but money is. (at this point, anyway)

Order in da Universe is a good ting!!

:tu

In the beginning god created the earth and the pyramid method

There completely no order to me buying hones.
I have manmade water stones that I have no idea what their grits are.

Hones (and a few other niceties) ordered and shipped.
Now doing the PP Dance waiting for them to arrive:beer2: