Thread: First setup

When deciding if you need a Naniwa 12k or a barber hone to refresh your edges, bear in mind that all Naniwa 12ks are just about exactly alike in composition and performance provided that the edge has been properly honed from scratch.

On the other hand, the composition of barber hones can be a bit different from one barber hone to another and you may get varying results from one barber hone to another. IMO you will have a better shot at successfully refreshing your edge with the Naniwa 12k than with a barber hone, at least until you get some honing experience under your belt.

However some of us find that refreshing with a barber hone is simple and fast. As stated above by Rez, barber hones are the least expensive of the two so just try both ways and pick your poison. Enjoy.

Thanks for the tips guys.

I just finished my first run at honing. I started off by lapping the naniwa under running water with the DMT and I felt the process went smoothly. Then I proceeded to sharpen this old straight razor with x strokes that I saw Lynn doing on a youtube video. I tried to apply minimal pressure and keep the blade flat on the stone. I have no way of checking my results but I think overall it went well.

You have this ultimate test the shave test.

Originally Posted by doug954

I received the DMT and the Nani 12k today. I plan on destroying a couple gold dollars this weekend. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

It would help if guys learning to hone would pony up for an ugly, yet sound vintage blade in lieu of a gold dollar to learn on.

Learn how to hone a razor. Not substandard razor-shaped objects!. Failure with a GD is seemingly easy. Success with a quality blade is, more often, Much easier! . JMO

Originally Posted by doug954

So it seems the consensus is to go with the Naniwa 12k & DMT D8C

Then if I decide down the road to go into restoration or bevel setting I can purchase a lower grit stone.

You'll need more than that to get GD working... Well in a reasonable amount of time i.e.

Yes. That's the thing that keeps resonating in my mind. Lately, I've heard of new people(I'm new too) buying Gold Dollar razors to practice on. What they mean, learn on.

It's NOT a good razor to learn on and can end in discourage and defeat. I'd rather see people hit the 'tique stores and such and avoid the avoid list Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library

I wish you the best, but don't be discouraged if you aren't able to achieve shave-ready results. Grab some know good Sheffield or real solingen steel. I don't want to discourage you, but encourage you by telling you that if you don't get results with the GD razor, don't quit.

K/R,,,

Tried out the razor today and it seemed good, however my technique leaves a lot to be desired. Also, about the gold dollar razor......I didn't buy it to shave with.....it will be my razor to practice with on the hone.

Originally Posted by doug954

Tried out the razor today and it seemed good, however my technique leaves a lot to be desired. Also, about the gold dollar razor......I didn't buy it to shave with.....it will be my razor to practice with on the hone.

This is my experience and the way I understand it.

Shaving is the ultimate shave test to be done when you are absolutely finished honing. I don't know of any other method to truly measure the progress of one's honing skills without actually putting steel to flesh.

kind regards,

Simon

So I did 20 laps on the naniwa 12k with my Dovo 5/8..…..and it was noticeably easier to shave..... Whiskers came off effortlessly.... .so I guess it was a success

Originally Posted by doug954

So I did 20 laps on the naniwa 12k with my Dovo 5/8..…..and it was noticeably easier to shave..... Whiskers came off effortlessly.... .so I guess it was a success

I had the same experience with a vintage razor that was tugging. Congratulations!