Thread: Whipped Dog "Quarter Nortons"

Originally Posted by RollinCoal69

Glad this was posted. As a str8 user that owns not even one stone I have had to rely on others for honing. I have been looking at the options an reading the reviews. I saw the 1/4 nortons an thought wow that's a good deal, compared to buying a full set. Glad to see some of the top guys in here saying "eh" mayyyyyybe not the way to go. So heres my question. If all I am interested in is maintaining my edges (send them out for major honing) what stone should be used? 4/8 Norton or 12k naniwa or barbers hone or just crox on balsa or crox on leather????? I know yall see how confusing this is for rookies. I was shying away from the 1/4 nortons strictly because of the size. Figured it was an issue. But at the same time the price point makes you go ooooo wait a minute. Its all a bit overwhelming an confusing IMO. Sorry for the rant just

I can totally relate to that.
Starting out in this sport sure can be confusing.

Now, to get you started:
A 4/8 Norton (full sized thank you very much) and a CrO pasted strop will do all you will ever need.
Period!

A 12KNaniwa SS, as long as you use it just as soon as the edge drops just a fraction, will last you a very long time.
If you send your razors out to get a good starting point.
You might let it slip too far, and then it is a round of sending it out again.
But stay alert to what the edge tells you and you can go for years with a single finisher.
Basically, they are just modern barber hones

A barber hone, provided it is a good quality one, will last you ages as long as you take your razors to it as soon as it drops just a little.

Naturally, a 4/8 Norton and a 12K SS is even more comfortable.
But as I said earlier, any of the 3 approaches will get you shaven for years.

Pick one of the methods, they will all work.

I guess the majority of answers confirms my thoughts... I figured a stone smaller than my index finger would not be comfortable...

Since I started looking at straight razors and before owning one, the art of honing fascinated me and I couldn't wait to get my own stone. I really like (and really good at) doing things with my hands. But then I saw the price I need to pay in order to explore this world.

I really want to get a Norton 4k/8k, but it's rather expensive. The price for itself is fine, but the problem is the delivery price (which is at least 20$), and the fact that the stone costs more than 75$, which means I will need to pay 30% taxes on it...
all this concludes the price for a hone originally costing 80$ at about 130-140$, which is insane.

As for a barber hone - I know they're supposed to be (relatively) cheap, and a proper hone will help me maintain my razor until I'm rich and famous and can get all the hones I want...
I looked everywhere. That is - everywhere Google showed me... I don't want to get a brick-shaped rock, so I stay away from ebay...
If anyone knows where to get a good barber hone - please share...

Originally Posted by Haim

I guess the majority of answers confirms my thoughts... I figured a stone smaller than my index finger would not be comfortable...

Since I started looking at straight razors and before owning one, the art of honing fascinated me and I couldn't wait to get my own stone. I really like (and really good at) doing things with my hands. But then I saw the price I need to pay in order to explore this world.

I really want to get a Norton 4k/8k, but it's rather expensive. The price for itself is fine, but the problem is the delivery price (which is at least 20$), and the fact that the stone costs more than 75$, which means I will need to pay 30% taxes on it...
all this concludes the price for a hone originally costing 80$ at about 130-140$, which is insane.

As for a barber hone - I know they're supposed to be (relatively) cheap, and a proper hone will help me maintain my razor until I'm rich and famous and can get all the hones I want...
I looked everywhere. That is - everywhere Google showed me... I don't want to get a brick-shaped rock, so I stay away from ebay...
If anyone knows where to get a good barber hone - please share...

You know, Glen (gssixgun on this forum) used to sell them all the time.
Send him a PM or check out his site at gemstarcustoms.com.
Perhaps he has one available?
Back in the day he used to sell those for like 20-30 bucks or so...
I'm sure there are others out there as well.

If you fail to find one, send me a PM.
I'm sure I can find something in my pile of stones you could use.....