Newbies are always asking

Newbies are always asking what hones they should buy.
I have read many posts with many suggestions as to the best hone progression to start out with. I recently PMed a newbie honer what I thought was the best hone combination for starters and it went something like this:

Norton 1k
Norton combo 4k, 8k
Naniwa SS 12k W/BASE
A good Thuringian as a finisher.

This combination is easy to learn and can get you some of the best shaves with a minimum $ OUTPUT.

As always, newbies should learn to achieve a good 8k shave before proceeding to any finisher.

For best results, take your time learning. Don't rush it. Enjoy the ride.

I am still leraning but if I could offer some advice, it'd be first learn how to make a good bevel, that is the basis.

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Originally Posted by jelajemi

I am still leraning but if I could offer some advice, it'd be first learn how to make a good bevel, that is the basis.

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You are quite correct about setting a bevel first. Click here:

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...ZU6GjLIGphx3rQ

Hello folks, I am new to this and certainly wished I had started straight razor shaving years ago. I am not sure how to start my newby thread so for now I am trying to reply to existing posts with questions. I bought my first razor from a Vietnam war vet years ago but didn't have the equipment to sharpen it. Then one day, I went to take another look at it and come to find out, my wife had tried to use it for a screwdriver. I should of made her shave her legs with it. Or at least that is how I felt when I first saw it. Good thing she wasn't home. Water under the bridge now. I just bought my second razor not knowing exactly what to look for other than German steel and its nice and shiny. It looks like it has uneven wear to the toe end. So... I began looking how to correct that or make it work which will include sharpening and honing. I don't have the funds to just drop $200. for all the stones and a barber hone. I read in one post that if your razor is shave ready, which mine isn't, that all I would need is a barbers hone and a strop. Is this correct? I have found several barber hones on ebay, but not sure if the old ones are good or would a new one put a finer touch on the blade?
Lots of questions but I will try to figure out how to start my own thread to get the ball rolling.
Thanks gents for your time and wisdom on the subject

IMO, newbies should NOT even think about Hones or Honing until at least a year into learning how to shave.
You need the learn how to strop,you need to learn how to prep, you need to learn how your beard grows,you need to learn and master differant strokes.
For cheap you can have your blades pro honed,start with tools that are perfect from the getgo.
Are many SRP members that are hone and stone fanatics,learn to walk before you try to run,you may fall flat on your face.

There are no new barber hones. The best of the old is a Swaty. Many others, but most serious honers consider the Swaty as THE barbers hone. As far as a set of stones for honing from bevel to shave ready, many choices. 1k, 4k,8k and 12k for finishing. Naniwa's, Norton's, Chosera's, Shapton's are all considered fine stones. They are synthetic and consistent in their grit numbers. Naniwa's don't need to be soaked. Also needed is a DMT325 or an Atoma for lapping the stones to keep them flat. Read the wikis and watch the videos. Great stuff there.

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Originally Posted by mrsell63

Newbies are always asking what hones they should buy.
I have read many posts with many suggestions as to the best hone progression to start out with. I recently PMed a newbie honer what I thought was the best hone combination for starters and it went something like this:

Norton 1k
Norton combo 4k, 8k
Naniwa SS 12k W/BASE
A good Thuringian as a finisher.

This combination is easy to learn and can get you some of the best shaves with a minimum $ OUTPUT.

As always, newbies should learn to achieve a good 8k shave before proceeding to any finisher.

For best results, take your time learning. Don't rush it. Enjoy the ride.

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If I may ask, why both a Thuringian AND a 12k stone?
A Thuringian is probably not finer than a 12k, particle size-wise. And, it's not slow at all.
If you want a 12k, but don't like its edge, instead of a Thuringian, use the back side of your strop, and spend 5$ for some fine CrOx.
A medium sized diamond plate for slurry or occasional lapping seems more suitable addition.
If the bevel setting goes slowly, raze slurry. For touch-ups, it's a good idea to raze slurry and dilute it.

Many people talk about naturals of 20k and 50k grit. Particles don't get so small. I doubt that there are any stones at all, anywhere in the world, that their bigger cutting particles, the one that give the edge, are smaller than 2-3 micron. It's their subtle cutting power, rounder and more fragile shape that makes them feel super fine.

My first stones were a king 1k, a Belgian blue, and a Chinese 12k, 60$. No matter what I have learned, the edges and time spend on them are not far behind my best combinations.

I like your idea, and, indeed, it's much more enjoyable to start from nothing and from trial and error find what works best for you.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

you need to learn how to prep, you need to learn how your beard grows,you need to learn and master differant strokes

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And how are these activities related to honing? For me, that stuff happens during the shave. Learning to hone is a separate activity.

One should, of course, have a pro-honed razor or two to compare to newby honing efforts. Otherwise you'll have no idea what's possible when you get those 'ok' shaves from your own honing.

This is coming from a guy who jumped into honing a few months after starting with a straight. I have a lot to learn regarding honing, and I'm loving the process.

Like TimS, I learned to hone and shave at the same time. That's why I'm called pinklather. Wow, was that ever a mistake.

If I can encourage some of the newer guys - You wouldn't know that the honorable MrSell has been using, maintaining, restoring and collecting our beloved razors for more than 40 yrs. I would recommend anyone starting to hone - PM Jerry for his excellent blog post about how a new guy learns to set a bevel. He's used more barber hones than I knew existed. If that's not enough, he's also a pleasure to talk to and learn from. Certainly, he's not the only one skilled and experienced, but one we're lucky to have share his experience.

[QUOTE=pixelfixed;1284915]IMO, newbies should NOT even think about Hones or Honing until at least a year into learning how to shave.{/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. Across the board your probably so right. I on the other hand feel a sense of confidence in approaching honing as I have a lot of experience in metallurgy and knife sharpening in general. I will say that I don't have any in straight razors though. I do have other reasons for trying to learn this on the quick that I won't go into here. I will keep your advise and now that you mention this, I have been considering trying to find someone locally or in the group that would help me with my first sharpening.
Thanks again.

Good info. Thanks, I have a 1K for knife sharpening. It is a new King Deluxe and now it appears that I won the Crown Razor Hone for $8.00. Not sure on the fineness of this stone. Any way to tell? Do Barber Finishing Stones usually meet or exceed the 12k for finishing? The Swaty also - considered to be the last stone your blade touches before it is ready to use?
Granted, I am trying to learn here. I may still need to send my razor to a honmeister. I am just trying to get educated so that I can begin buying the supplies when I find them at a bargan. I will look up those videos. Seems like I have read so much on the site, then I find even more I have not seen. This is a great site and I appreciate every ones input.
Thanks for your insight.

"I learned to hone and shave at the same time. That's why I'm called pinklather. Wow, was that ever a mistake. "

That statement says it all. After the advise that has been given me, I think I would like to learn honing on a razor I won't be using right away. That being said, I will need to get my razor to someone that can put a good edge on it.
meanwhile, I will be looking for a 2nd and possibly a 3rd razor, one of which to start learning the sharpening process.
I would also like to get a stainless. Found a guy out of Singapour that said he has a new 44C stainless. Haven't heard back on the hardness of it yet. Pretty cheap so... hope he is telling the truth.
Probably better to save my money and get a decent restored or new one.
Really folks, I am trying to make my decisions off of what I have learned on the sight. Got a little shopping happy on ebay when I saw all the old hones. Lol
Keep the advise coming... I have been using a shave mug for years now but have yet to put a straight razor to my face. I would like the first one to be a good experience.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mrsell63

Newbies are always asking what hones they should buy.
I have read many posts with many suggestions as to the best hone progression to start out with. I recently PMed a newbie honer what I thought was the best hone combination for starters and it went something like this:

Norton 1k
Norton combo 4k, 8k
Naniwa SS 12k W/BASE
A good Thuringian as a finisher.

This combination is easy to learn and can get you some of the best shaves with a minimum $ OUTPUT.

As always, newbies should learn to achieve a good 8k shave before proceeding to any finisher.

For best results, take your time learning. Don't rush it. Enjoy the ride.

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Heh, that's pretty much what I bought based on advice in these forums, cost, and availability.
Norton 220/1k
Norton 4k/8k
Naniwa 12K
DMT course (320) for lapping

Excellent!!! Thanks. So I can achieve an 8K shave. This is good to know. What would the Swaty be considered? beyond 12K?
Now, will the DMT Coarse lap the barber hone as well? I will watch the videos if I can find them.
As soon as my razor comes in, I will try to get it to a honemeister. not sure what to expect with that or if I can find someone local.
Thanks so much for the great info

[QUOTE=Foxfire;1285157]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

IMO, newbies should NOT even think about Hones or Honing until at least a year into learning how to shave.{/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. Across the board your probably so right. I on the other hand feel a sense of confidence in approaching honing as I have a lot of experience in metallurgy and knife sharpening in general. I will say that I don't have any in straight razors though. I do have other reasons for trying to learn this on the quick that I won't go into here. I will keep your advise and now that you mention this, I have been considering trying to find someone locally or in the group that would help me with my first sharpening.
Thanks again.

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Finding a pro that can Guide you is a great thing,you may learn more in an hour than mos. on SRP.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foxfire

Excellent!!! Thanks. So I can achieve an 8K shave. This is good to know. What would the Swaty be considered? beyond 12K?
Now, will the DMT Coarse lap the barber hone as well? I will watch the videos if I can find them.
As soon as my razor comes in, I will try to get it to a honemeister. not sure what to expect with that or if I can find someone local.
Thanks so much for the great info

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8k is considered shave ready. Barber hones are generally 8-12k and shouldn't be lapped unless truly nessesary. Go on youtube and look up Lynn Abrams and Gssixgun for honing almost everything is there. Try to get a mentor as they can not only teach but verify your results, not much good if its good and your still not sure, so its a variable removed. Use the search at the top and you can find heaps of info on just about anything.

Thanks I have already started watching the honing videos on SRP. Good stuff.
I am a lover of older things and am wondering if some of the older stones that we can get on ebay are just as good as buying a new stone?
The price is usually better too. But, the older stones don't say a grit # like 4K or 6K, 8k.
Here are a couple that look pretty good but I am not sure how fine they are. being that I only have a 1K right now, most anything in good shape will be a step up.
"TWO OLD RAZOR HONES, ONE KEEN KUTTERIN GOOD CONDITION BUT HAS A COUPLE OF SMALL NICKS ON BACK SIDE EDGE, THE OTHER IS NORVELL- SHARPLEIGH DIAMOND EDGE IN ORIGINAL BOX BUT BOX IS IN VERY BAD CONDITION AND BEEN TAPED.THE HONE ITSELF IS VERY GOOD, THEY BOTH MEASURE 3/8 X 2 X 5 1/2 ".
Do these sound like they are worth trying? Price is right.
Also, FYI there is full barber set of straights with case and sissors that someone might want to take advantage of.
Once again, I appreciate your input. This auction is almost over so your immediate input would be appreciated.
Update. The stones sold out from under me. Hmmm hope it wasn't one of youins. No one was looking at them till the last hour. The info would be good to know for the future. Please help me with the older stones. Do I need to stay away from them? I'll keep searching the site as well.

I have taught several young gentlemen to hone up through the 8k and all have been successful.
A man knows when he is ready to hone his own razor. All he has to do is ask for help. There is plenty of knowledge on this forum.

If you think you are ready to hone your own razor, you probably are. Don't be shy.......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foxfire

Thanks I have already started watching the honing videos on SRP. Good stuff.
I am a lover of older things and am wondering if some of the older stones that we can get on ebay are just as good as buying a new stone?
The price is usually better too. But, the older stones don't say a grit # like 4K or 6K, 8k.
Here are a couple that look pretty good but I am not sure how fine they are. being that I only have a 1K right now, most anything in good shape will be a step up.
"TWO OLD RAZOR HONES, ONE KEEN KUTTERIN GOOD CONDITION BUT HAS A COUPLE OF SMALL NICKS ON BACK SIDE EDGE, THE OTHER IS NORVELL- SHARPLEIGH DIAMOND EDGE IN ORIGINAL BOX BUT BOX IS IN VERY BAD CONDITION AND BEEN TAPED.THE HONE ITSELF IS VERY GOOD, THEY BOTH MEASURE 3/8 X 2 X 5 1/2 ".
Do these sound like they are worth trying? Price is right.
Also, FYI there is full barber set of straights with case and sissors that someone might want to take advantage of.
Once again, I appreciate your input. This auction is almost over so your immediate input would be appreciated.
Update. The stones sold out from under me. Hmmm hope it wasn't one of youins. No one was looking at them till the last hour. The info would be good to know for the future. Please help me with the older stones. Do I need to stay away from them? I'll keep searching the site as well.

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Sounds like your are looking at barber hones. These are touch up or finishing hones and not used to do the actual sharpening of the razor just maintaining a already sharp razor

[QUOTE=Foxfire;1285157]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

IMO, newbies should NOT even think about Hones or Honing until at least a year into learning how to shave.{/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. Across the board your probably so right. I on the other hand feel a sense of confidence in approaching honing as I have a lot of experience in metallurgy and knife sharpening in general. I will say that I don't have any in straight razors though. I do have other reasons for trying to learn this on the quick that I won't go into here. I will keep your advise and now that you mention this, I have been considering trying to find someone locally or in the group that would help me with my first sharpening.
Thanks again.

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Welcome to an older better way of shaving!!

I fully understand your reasoning about your history with metallurgy and knife sharping.

I was a meat cutter for several years and I will tell you straight out that the difference between 'sharpening a knife' and 'honing' a razor is as different as black and white!!

IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD!!!

Please take your time, go slow! Every Thing about this 'Art' involves Patience!!!

Honing can wait! Get the 'Basics' Down Pat!!! My good friend pinklather has told you why he chose that 'handle'!!!!!

Once you have semi mastered making lather, stropping, and most importantly learning how to get a close comfortable shave then move on to learning to hone!

As far as finding someone locally, Please Add Your Location to your Profile as there just may be someone just down the street that has enough experience to be able to help you!!

Hands on Learning Cannot Be Beat! I learned more in a few hours sitting and watching Glen (GSSIXGUN) than I had learned in months of reading and watching videos! To be able to stop him and ask him a question or to slow down so I could see better how he was honing!!

I'm still using the exact same stones and my edges were so much better after the hands on!

OH!! As previously said, I also recommend to wait at least a year before moving to honing; I did and I'm damn glad that I did!!

I did send razors out to be honed and it does cost money, however once I started honing, I had a benchmark to compare to!!

This whole world of using and maintaining a straight razor is just like a baby's journey though life! It needs to learn to crawl, then toddle, then walk and finally run!

When the time comes for you to run with honing, I hope you run like the wind! :tu

To add to the advice others are giving: learning to use a straight for a while before trying to hone let's one get a chance to learn what a properly sharpened razor should feel like. Knowing that let's you know if you're efforts to hone are successful.