Thread: 8K Norton is not enough.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I would be perfectly happy if I never used a hone above 8k. I only own others because straight were a major hobby; I only use others because I have them. Had I seriously spent the time to just properly learn to hone up through an 8k and had I not wanted to play around and chase edges and compare stones, I doubt I would have bought anything finer. And I can say with certainty that if it came down to money, I'd sell my fancy finishers before I'd sell my Chosera 1k.

I have to agree with Dylan 100% here. When I began honing I had the Norton 4/8 combo and a Swaty. Shortly thereafter I bought a Shapton pro 15k used. So I went to those because I had 'em. Randy told me that I should make sure I was getting a DFS at the 8k level and I began working on that. Over the years I've shaved @ the 8k level many times, with many different razors.

Many times I've thought to myself, if I didn't have any higher grit hones, synthetic or natural, I'd be perfectly content with the 8k. Like Dylan I got into this and it became a major hobby, so acquiring different hones and razors to experience them became a pursuit. If I had just been a dedicated shaver, not playing at the sport, I could be perfectly satisfied with the chosera 1k and the norton 4/8 , or the equivalent. OTOH, since I've got the icing, I may as well put it on the cake.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There is no such thing as THE perfect edge. That concept is a moving target and the target keeps moving further away. What many would have considered to be the perfect edge 10 years ago many would turn their nose up at today.

Even Lynn is still experimenting. He tried something new at the Asheville meet-up and came over to show me and was giddy with laughter and excitement over it.

The chase can be fun!

(But the shave should be fine by 8k!)

Originally Posted by Utopian

Even Lynn is still experimenting. He tried something new at the Asheville meet-up and came over to show me and was giddy with laughter and excitement over it.

Honing innovations, like moving from the pyramid to the circles, hones, strops, restoration. Lynn is never satisfied with the status quo, always pushing the envelope. People in general have no idea how much his enthusiasm for what he defines as "this sport" has contributed to what we now take for granted.

Not only in techniques, but in products, such as the wide variety of strops available at SRD. From a retail merchant point of view it makes no sense. But if you're Lynn, and you have to try 'em all, that is what it is about.

Dissemination of information. Lynn doesn't keep his techniques secret, but freely gives of his expertise to anyone who asks. The originator of he Yahoo Straight Razor forum, which evolved into this forum, and some of the best honers in the world learned from Lynn. If anyone deserves credit as the "father of the straight razor shaving/honing renaissance" it is Lynn Abrams.

At this point in my Straight razor addiction I would rather acquire more razors than hones. But, as I am told, that can change quickly.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

You know here is some real advice instead a bunch of "Opinion"

Cubancigar on here is thinking of having a Honing Meet in Nampa, myself and a few others are planning on coming

I will be bringing MULTIPLE finishers and other stones

Why not wait a couple of months during winter save some money up and then decide what to plunk it down on after you try a few out in person''

You might also pick up a few tips & tricks at the meet

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...ion-idaho.html

this my friend would be a great thing if you could attend !! i cant tell you how many video's and such i watched , and still couldnt get a razor shave ready .. i can now but it did take me longer then i see most post but i cant tell you how many times i saw meets posted and none were close but still tried to get to ones kinda close and just never could !! but i feel seeing it done in person and having a "guide" more or less to look over my shoulder would have cut my learning curve time in half !! and i admit i am one of those who jmped from stone to stone b4 learning the ones i have and feel that greatly hurt me .. heck i still do it with my coticule collection where i know spending a bit more time and learning each stone may improve the already nice edges im getting now .... so yes i run b4 i walk , but to do it all over again i would have crawled b4 i walked even !!

Yes, I intend to be present at the up and coming Idaho event. Sounds like time well spent.

The 8k norton isn't really that fine. I would say most people prefer a finisher after.

I consider using pastes the same as a finishing stone in this regard. I don't think many people would go off there 8k norton to just leather stropping and then shave(i'm sure some do though). Also i've never owned a 4/8k, just used a few times so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I love the shaves coming off my Jnats and cotis though, with just plain stropping. I think you need to consider a finishing stone or some diamond spray or pastes.

Originally Posted by DireStraights

The 8k norton isn't really that fine. I would say most people prefer a finisher after.

I consider using pastes the same as a finishing stone in this regard. I don't think many people would go off there 8k norton to just leather stropping and then shave(i'm sure some do though). Also i've never owned a 4/8k, just used a few times so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I love the shaves coming off my Jnats and cotis though, with just plain stropping. I think you need to consider a finishing stone or some diamond spray or pastes.

I've gone straight off my 8k for the last year.... and I have 2 pro honed razors (out of about 15 razors) and while the 2 do shave better, I have not had any issues shaving straight off the 8k

That is interesting to note ecormier. Maybe i'll try shaving off of my 5k masamoto, it's around the same grit as an 8k norton.


I'm curious if I can get a DFS with enough stropping...

I've read about all the 1k shave tests and such, just never had the time to try it.

Originally Posted by DireStraights

The 8k norton isn't really that fine. I would say most people prefer a finisher after.

I consider using pastes the same as a finishing stone in this regard. I don't think many people would go off there 8k norton to just leather stropping and then shave(i'm sure some do though). Also i've never owned a 4/8k, just used a few times so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I've never owned a 4/8k either. How many times have you shaved off of an 8k Norton edge?