Thread: 8K Norton is not enough.

I consider myself a competent straight razor shaver, but much less than that with a hone. A few months ago I purchased a Norton 4K/8K hone and struggled just getting a usable edge. I have since obtained a usable edge but it is only "usable". My professionally honed edge is superior. It seems obvious that the next step in the evolution of my learning curve is to move into a finer grit stone. I am looking to invest in that stone but the options are not only spendy, but confusing. So here is the question:

What is the best bang for my buck in regards to my next purchase towards my quest for the perfect edge?

ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT...

A Naniwa Chosera (now called Professional) 1k.

If you cannot get a comfortable shave off of the 8k, no higher grit hone is going to fix it. It will only thin your wallet.

I am happy with my 8k edge but have been tempted to go to a finer hone. the only thing that stops me is a statement i read saying that any finer stone only gives a improvement of a few percent. Lynn shaved off a 8k for years before going finer. My question is would I even notice a difference at this point in my honing skill?

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

Gosh, Glen, I wish it could be gotten across to new shaver/honers that if they don't try the 1,4,8k challenge, starting with what makes it all possible, a freshly set bevel, all the finishing stones are going to do is give them a very smooth edge that may not really shave the way they think (or hope) it would.

My myopic eyes were opened to true sight when, not having direct one-on-one training, I went that route. The only thing I added to the sequence was after each grit I did 10 very, very light laps on a Naniwa 12k. It went from a decent, acceptable 1k shave to the 8k/12k light finish to DDFS (thats double damn fine shaves.) Sure, some day, finances permitting, I'd like to have a finer grit that would give me the psychological boost of really feeling like I accomplished something. But the hard reality of it is 8k w12k finish is the Gold Standard.

A finisher is amazing, but I've gotten some great edges off an 8k and chrom-ox

A pro honed razor should have a better edge than what you can produce if you use the same stones (assuming you are a pro shaver), otherwise that person should not be a pro honer, so no surprise a pro with finer hones gives a much better edge than you'll get yourself on the 8k. Having said that, I agree with Utopian that getting a good 1k is the next investment you should make. It will allow you to set or reset bevels as needed, and that is the most important stage in your honing.

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.

Well here I go again!

#1 If you can make that meet you will learn more in a few hours than you have or will in months!!!

#2 If you can't get a CCC (Clean Close Comfortable) shave off of the 8K then spending money on a 'Higher Finisher' is just throwing money down the drain! If I were to drop and break my Naniwa 12K and didn't have the funds to replace it, I could live off of my Norton 8K edge for the rest of my life and enjoy every shave! :

If I were to drop and break my Norton 4/8K I'd eat peanut butter sandwiches day in and day out until I had the funds to replace it!!!

#3 This age old art take patience. Whether it's learning to Properly Strop, Make a Good Lather, and of course Shaving with a Straight Razor it all takes patience.

Hang in there, it will come but only if you take your time, don't rush things and be Patient.

Thanks for the confidence boost guys. I will not give up.

One thing you're going to hear in chorus is that you have to be able to get a good shave from an 8k edge. That and that if you don't have a bevel there's no point in doing anything further. While these two statements are correct, don't make the mistake in thinking that you can get the SAME edge on an 8k that you might have gotten used to when you sent a razor out to your favorite honemeister. That edge was probably finished on one of the many coveted stones that keeps half of this message board mesmerized. Yes, you need to be able to get a shavable edge from an 8k stone. Just remember that it won't be as good as a pro honed edge. If it were, no one would spend the money on those high priced finishers.