what hone do i need if im going to use a pasted strop

so i just ordered my first razor to day so this is a little eirly to be worrying about but i figer i might as well know ahead of time how much money to set aside.

so I looked over the forums and I haven't really found the answer to my question, if anything I'm more confused than when I started.
my question is what grit stone would be the best option for me if I only plan of maintaining a single razor by touching it up once stropping no longer works.

I have a strop and am planning on pasting one side of it with .5 chromium oxide. I can't remember were I read it but someone said stropping on that is a equivalent or a replace the 12k stone (no idea if that true or not) so would my best option be getting an 8k stone, stropping on chromium oxide and finishing on leather? or should I get a 12k stone or is that unnecessary if I have a pasted strop? or would a hone even be necessary if I have a pasted strop? because if it is abrasive and a high grit count wouldn't I theoretically be able to hone using only that and some extra passes?

(sorry if this is worded a little weirdly, I'm having trouble framing my exact question)

With my limited experience and level of knowledge, I'd say the Norton 4k/8k combo would work well. 8k for most touch ups, 4k if it needs a little extra work. Again, if I was in your shoes, that's what I'd buy

Chris

A Norton 4k/8k or a naniwa 3k/8k would be sufficient. Just remember not to strop on the CrOx everyday. Only when you need a little touch up.

anyone have any experience with DMT diamond stones? SRD sells them and I just noticed the 12k is $45 but the 8k is $68. the NANIWA 12K IS $72. SO JUST WONDERING IF THOES ARE A GOOD OPTION.

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Originally Posted by keokitsune

anyone have any experience with DMT diamond stones? SRD sells them and I just noticed the 12k is $45 but the 8k is $68. the NANIWA 12K IS $72. SO JUST WONDERING IF THOES ARE A GOOD OPTION.

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The DMT you're looking at is a 1200 grit, not a 12K

For just touch up maintenance, you really can't go wrong with the Naniwa 12k. It's a very hone to learn and use. No soaking required and a very consistent stone. That will keep your razors going for a while for sure.

If I remember correctly 0.5 Crox is approx 30k.

Paste is for when the razor just starts to tug. It will bring it back to shave ready. Eventually this will not be the case and you will need to take the razor back to a stone to get it properly shave ready. As long as you don't let the razor slip too far you can go for a fair while before needing to hone. You can easily shave off of a 8k stone although many like the extra keenness of a 12k. 1mic paste is approx a 12k and the .5mic is approx 30k. Hope this helps to clarify a little

Theoretically you could just strop on Chrome Ox off an 8k or just keep your honed razor shaving indefinitely with Chrome Ox and leather, but…

You have to learn to strop first. Chances are you will damage or round the edge learning to strop. A pasted strop will remove an edge as quickly and easily as it will polish one.

The finer your edge when you polish with Chrome the finer your finished edge will be. Finish on the highest grit stone you have, then polish on Chrome and Cerium if you have it. Each will produce their own edge.

Stones sharpen the edge, paste make the edge comfortable.

I ended up getting a naniwa 12000 as a present from someone. I figure if I do a quick touch up about once a month I shouldn't need the lower grit stones. and if I do it would be a step down in cost as I already have the pricy one.

Diamonds are for ladies, lapping your stones, razor repairs/corrections and knives, otherwise as very coarse work. Please forget about the pastes & sprays, a quality barber stone or Naniwa 12K will keep your razors going "to infinity and beyond". Pay attention to the advice you are taking in, is it advice from someone who has a bit of experience or not.

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

Diamonds are for ladies, lapping your stones, razor repairs/corrections and knives, otherwise as very coarse work. Please forget about the pastes & sprays, a quality barber stone or Naniwa 12K will keep your razors going "to infinity and beyond". Pay attention to the advice you are taking in, is it advice from someone who has a bit of experience or not.

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Thanks! I've heard lots about barbers hone's. I've heard that they are to be used dry as well.

What would your advice be, in terms of use / laps on a barbers hone to bring the edge back to going, "to infinity and beyond". (great line!)

Cheers!

I use a paddle strop daily, canvas and leather. Once a month I use canvas rubbed with chromium oxide. When the oxide no longer seems to do the trick I use a Naniwa 12K stone.

I use barber hones with water or lather. The stone I use is Shapton 16K mostly, but sometimes I take out my Swaty barber hone for the heck of it. I got lucky and picked up a long one (8") several years ago, works well with lather & about 10x.

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

I use barber hones with water or lather. The stone I use is Shapton 16K mostly, but sometimes I take out my Swaty barber hone for the heck of it. I got lucky and picked up a long one (8") several years ago, works well with lather & about 10x.

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Cool! Thanks for the info!!

so just to confirm, your saying once my 12k stone arrives I should hone on that when my razor begins to tug and move directly to stropping on normal leather, forgoing the .5 paste completely?

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Originally Posted by keokitsune

so just to confirm, your saying once my 12k stone arrives I should hone on that when my razor begins to tug and move directly to stropping on normal leather, forgoing the .5 paste completely?

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If you wait that long you may have waited too long . :)
It would depend a lot on your beard & usage tho. Some guys would do 3-5 strokes 1 x week on the 12k, others could get away with the 1month. You will have to tailor the maintenance to suit your circumstances

Quote:

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Originally Posted by keokitsune

anyone have any experience with DMT diamond stones? SRD sells them and I just noticed the 12k is $45 but the 8k is $68. the NANIWA 12K IS $72. SO JUST WONDERING IF THOES ARE A GOOD OPTION.

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First and Foremost, Please post where you are in this wide world! There may be experienced help close by!

Secondly, where did you purchase your razor? Is it 'shave ready' from the factory, or was it custom honed by a Pro??? If it's from the factory, it is more than likely 'lacking' to say the least!

Most importantly, you will need to learn how to 'Properly' Strop make lather and of coarse how to get a good shave long before you need to worry about buying hones!!!

Once you have at least semi-mastered the basics, then you may consider learning to hone! Honing is an entire Art all in it's own!!!

Sending your razor off to a Pro will give you a base to know how you are doing compared to someone who has years of experience honing!

Once the basics are mastered, it really becomes a Joy to Shave! I look forward to it each and every day!

You will too! :tu

Great advise about the 12k. Pasted strop can be used but you need to learn the leather well enough to not damage the edge. Shaving, stropping honing etc are skills that take time to master, but you will if you keep at it.

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Originally Posted by keokitsune

so just to confirm, your saying once my 12k stone arrives I should hone on that when my razor begins to tug and move directly to stropping on normal leather, forgoing the .5 paste completely?

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While this may seem a bit confusing right now it's just a learning curve which can be different from person to person. Variables like beard type, beard prep, shaving technique, lather and stropping technique all come into play. And as each of these improve the frequency of using paste / honing will change.

I found it a bit frustrating but stuck with it and eventually found a "system" that currently works for my variables. But I'm sure these will change as I continue to gain experience.