Thread: Curing HAD, what worked for me

So I've been suffering ever since I started straight razor shaving over a year ago. In that time I've acquired 2 Coticules. A size 8 La Dressante bout and a 7x2 La Grise both very different but work awesome.

I've acquired a 6x2 BBW which rarely sees use, it polishes hunting knives sometimes. I've got 2 synthetic combo stones a 400/1000 and a 3000/8000 which I never use. I have been meaning to get rid of them but have never gotten around to it.

I also have a DMT DIA-FLAT , not the 8c but the stupid expensive one that's not noticeably different at all from the 8c, maybe a little flatter but really who is going to be able to tell?

I then ventured into oilstones, picking up an old 8x2 Washita stone, which turned out to be a hell of a stone. Maybe the best stone I own. I then bought an 8x3 Black Arkansas which I am in the process of breaking in, also a real beauty.

Now that's when it hit me. I've got all these beautiful stones, I've got all these beautiful razors. I've got a lot of ways to make a razor shave ready and sharpen knives, tools and scissors for the rest of my life. Why must I keep collecting stones, I already have some that I don't use that often some rarely ever. Sitting around collecting dust.

The part that got me was there is someone out there who could be looking for a stone for whatever reason and why should I have tons while they struggle to find one they can use and one that speaks to them. I'm not saying that I don't need more then one stone. I'm just saying I don't need multiples of the same type of stone or even tons of stones. I know that I am set for life in the stone department. Sure I may want more because I'm always in search of the best edge possible. The best edge possible isn't in having tons of stones, it is in being able to max out the edge on the stones you do have. That is the revelation I had today.


I am no longer going to "collect/buy" stones just to have them and use them once in a while. Not that I originally intended or bought the different hones for that reason, it just ends up like that due to our preferences and what we find out works for us. Some stones just fall into neglect and that's a sad thing which is why i'm going to let my brothers who need them get them and continue to work with the stones I do have until I am satisfied I can no longer improve the edge. I've got a long way to go but I know that having more stones isn't going to solve the problem of not being able to hone or hone well. The stone doesn't make you a better honer.

How have you guys cured had? Or haven't you?

I've never been "collecting" hones. I just like experimenting with, or at least experiencing, many different hones. I bring a lot of hones to meet-ups. I mean I have brought a ridiculous number of hones to some meet-ups. It has never been to show off. In fact, sometimes I have been embarrassed that it may have been perceived that way; but the reason that I bring so many hones is so that others can have an opportunity to experience them.

My "HAD" has not been cured, but it certainly has been put on hiatus since losing my primary job last September. I am way behind on experiencing French hones. Oh well.

Easy to cure , I let the man who hones my razors buy them , I still get the benefit of using them to get the edges I want , but hey that's just me , saved my money for other things. But good for you , it takes most a long time to figure out that buying lots of stones doesn't get you better edges, learning the stone you have and maxing it out is benefitting you personally. Tc

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've never been "collecting" hones. I just like experimenting with, or at least experiencing, many different hones. I bring a lot of hones to meet-ups. I mean I have brought a ridiculous number of hones to some meet-ups. It has never been to show off. In fact, sometimes I have been embarrassed that it may have been perceived that way; but the reason that I bring so many hones is so that others can have an opportunity to experience them.

My "HAD" has not been cured, but it certainly has been put on hiatus since losing my primary job last September. I am way behind on experiencing French hones. Oh well.

I would like to say Thank-you for bringing your stones to a meet.
You gave me the opportunity to feel the difference between 20 coticules.
Most people would never get that chance. Same type yet large differences.
Your stones/hones are like a traveling library.
What you do in purchase/testing/maintenance/safe travel to meets. Is an act of education and a love of teaching.
If you cease to share, the community as a whole suffers. Who else has such an extensive diverse collection?? That they would travel to share with strangers.
Ok your weird but in a very good way.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've never been "collecting" hones. I just like experimenting with, or at least experiencing, many different hones. I bring a lot of hones to meet-ups. I mean I have brought a ridiculous number of hones to some meet-ups. It has never been to show off. In fact, sometimes I have been embarrassed that it may have been perceived that way; but the reason that I bring so many hones is so that others can have an opportunity to experience them.

My "HAD" has not been cured, but it certainly has been put on hiatus since losing my primary job last September. I am way behind on experiencing French hones. Oh well.

I didn't mean to offend anyone here, if you want em, get em. By all means that's a personal choice I just thought I would share what worked to cure my HAD. Experimentation is great, without that we wouldn't know anything or a very limited amount. If I came off as rude or looking down on those who have many stones it isn't the case and I apologize.

Speaking for myself, I was in no way offended and did not take it that way. I, in turn, apologize if I came across as offended.

IMO, as Utopian so aptly covered, it's all about experimenting with stone to steel effect and affect.
I can now get most any razor (Old wedges excluded still) to a shaveable edge with the assortment I have.
But as I get different steels, I do like to trial on different stones. So ark's, coti's, thuri's (still needed), and synth's all have a place, and a time in my shop.
So, to me, this is a chronic disease, if a disease it is. There is no cure, cept time.
Cheers.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've never been "collecting" hones. I just like experimenting with, or at least experiencing, many different hones. I bring a lot of hones to meet-ups. I mean I have brought a ridiculous number of hones to some meet-ups. It has never been to show off. In fact, sometimes I have been embarrassed that it may have been perceived that way; but the reason that I bring so many hones is so that others can have an opportunity to experience them.

My "HAD" has not been cured, but it certainly has been put on hiatus since losing my primary job last September. I am way behind on experiencing French hones. Oh well.

Ron

Bring all your car can carry.

Where else can we see and hold stones that we only read about or see a often grainy pic?

I thank you for bringing them.

What Mike said . . . I took the easy way out and bought some lapping film at Lee Valley. After sending a blade out to a local restoration pro, I do not know that I will ever do much beyond "maintenance honing". I ordered an Arkansas stone (hard black) from Lee Valley and expect to have it this week. I will then burnish it with a cheap piece of steel and begin playing with it and the edges of my razors, searching for that elusive "perfect" touch up to one of my edges. After which, it will be learning what works on the different types of blades (wedge, hollow, smiles, etc.) Not sure I will ever buy another stone, but who knows . . .

I went through a stage of collecting a load of different stones and had a bunch for a while (CF's, C12k, Dalmore Blue and all sorts!).

In the end I found I gravitated to the same few stones every time which for me was Shapton 1/4/8/16k and followed with my Asagi. That gets me a killer edge on every razor and I've yet to find one that combo didnt work for.

So in the end I found exactly like you did - That I had a bunch of stones collecting dust so I started getting rid of the ones I wasnt using.

I still have a few of them, but for the most part I've flipped the ones I didnt really use!