Thread: My head is full of hones...help :)

So I started reading the wonderful section of Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki the problem then lies in where in the world does one start? From my understanding and of gobs of data I have read, is I probably can get by with the following being as cheap as possible

Norton 4k/8k Stone
Norton Flattening Stone
Coctuile 10k Stone

With that setup I can probably keep my razor sharp for as long as the Stones last, and if I so choose buy an Ebay Razor that is not been beaten to death and probably bring her back to life? Am I correct in my thought process? Let me know your thoughts.

Joey

A beater ebay you would need a 1k bevel setter, but that setup is more than adequate.

I am new to honing too and that is also what I have been using minus the norton flattening stone which is crap. I suggest instead get a DMT or other diamond plate maybe one from EZ-E Lap as it is cheaper.

The coticule will provide super shaves atleast mine does. Make sure you ask where ever you get your coticule from about the stone and tell them what you are wanting it to do so that they can pick the right one. You could also look at the Welsh Slate "Tri-Hone" on ebay and that would actually be a cheaper option than the cuticule. I have not tried those stones out but I have heard good things about them.

Coticules are 10k at best and most likely more towards the 8k mark IMO. Mostly now I use just the coti building a slurry and then diluting it till its just water and then finish on oil for about 20 laps... smoothest shave I have experienced albeit my experience is limited compared to others.

Hey madman,

I think this link might help out. What hone(s), paste(s), or spray(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki



Howard

I started with a 4/8 Norton and worked my way down to a 250/1k King for bringing the dead back to life. Coming on a year now and I might pop for a finisher soon. Finisher may be nice but I wanted to learn the basics first and I have no problem using all my razors off 8k. From what I see when it comes to finishers is that you need around a million bucks to make up your mind :<0)

Wet / dry sandpaper face up and wet on a slab of wet marble tile will flatten most any stone. 150 grit up to about 800. More effort is usually wasted.
A decent barber hone could be a friend. Find out which are good before buying. Most are at the 8k lever\l but some are higher. YOu Coticule wet without slurry will suffice for maintaining a razor for a long time.
Many newspaper layers make a good strop right after honing. Or the shirt cardboard /chipboard like the side of a cereal box. Spend money on the part of shaving you enjoy. That is what we all do. Many like different aspects of the hobby / sport and spend their money where they like to. And we can really become a pest in that area of a forum.
Have fun!
~Richard

I started honing last year and got by well with a 1K (bevel setter), Norton 4K/8K, and DMT 325 for lapping. About a month ago I decided to go the next step and got a Naniwa 12K as a finisher. Things have been great for me with that setup.

I got the DMT 325 for lapping because I read many bad reviews from users of the Norton lapping stone.

Thanks guys for all the info! Looks like I'm going to pop for a Norton 4k/8k. My Dad in law has some stones so going to check those out, sounds like they are for knives, I assume those should be OK to bring a dead blade back to life sort of like a 1k or 3k?

I forgot I also have the Norton lapping stone. It was cheap and I lapped it and have had no problems with it. If I had it to do over I would probably go with the DMT but it is a price issue. The one I was looking at was as much as the 4/8 Norton. I hear they get them cheaper and if I need a new one someday I will get a DMT. I think it may be more useful on a hard natural stone. So , for the long run it may be a better choice.

Originally Posted by g60madman

Thanks guys for all the info! Looks like I'm going to pop for a Norton 4k/8k. My Dad in law has some stones so going to check those out, sounds like they are for knives, I assume those should be OK to bring a dead blade back to life sort of like a 1k or 3k?

If he has a good old hard black or translucent Arkansas hone, you can use that as a finisher.