Quote Originally Posted by chapman View Post
I think as I move along I might end up getting a coticule everyone seems to really like them and the edges you can create with them not just you.


~~~not trying to talk you out of a coticule for your first natural stone acquisition but you may want to also consider getting a J-Nat. there are some stones offered on the forum classified section from time to time that should interest you in thinking about a Japanese natural. I say that as it seems from the threads I've perused that more new natural stone honers (those new to natural hones) seem to pick up learning how to get a good edge quickly with a J-Nat...at least that is what I've come to believe. My exp. didn't mirror that but I tend to over think these things and in retrospect, after using a J-Nat the few times as of late...I can see why some learn it easier *& faster* than a coticule, and the edges from a J-Nat are quite good. That said, I've only experienced edges from 5 different J-Nats yet all were quite satisfying

I don't mean to throw a monkey wrench into this decision making process for you, rather I see it as helping you expand your natural hone choices



Quote Originally Posted by chapman View Post
Now it's to the Wikis for me to brush up on all the basics so I don't destroy my blade first try!


~~~you might want to think about buying a few blades from the wild to use for practice honing, just to keep the wear to blades while learning this craft to others than your finest straight razors, thinking you have a few newer straight razors that you'd like to keep as is. that was my strategy and I recommend it though if you limit the purchase price to lessor amounts, you will undoubtedly acquire blades that need a little more than a good honing to shave with and test your honing skills

What I looked for when buying straight razors, and the majority of the ones I bought were from ebay, I would only consider blades with even wear along the edge, omitting from consideration those that had obvious toe and or heel wear. I also looked for razors with sound handles (schales) though every once in awhile a razor I won in an auction wasn't represented accurately so I ended up with a few in need of new schales

If you choose wisely you can obtain some nice straights for little dinero that may only need some light metal & schale cleaning. There are downsides to going the ebay route. For one, it can be time consuming perusing auctions. I don't travel much so looking for blades at antique emporiums were limited for me, making ebay my best option. Another downside to using ebay to buy razors...it can be addictive, but I think I have quenched my hunger after 3 years into this hobby. I'll look for and bid on razors once in a great while but it has to be something that catches my eye


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.