Thread: Hones, Honing Suggestions

Would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions some of you might be willing to offer.

First of, my Hone-Arsenal is as follows: Norton 4/8K Naniwa 10000 & 12000...Strops: Hanging SRD Latigo/Web & Hanging English Bridle. Experience-wise, I'm not new to this, been honing my razors 6/7 years and produce a good shaving edge...I can shave everyday w/a straight w/o suffering burn from a 50/50 edge. With that said...

I stopped visiting SRP around 2010...just dropped off for no particular reason and recently am tuning in again. In that several year absence, there has been much change which has piqued my interest...When I quit...going to the Naniwa 12000 in the process was right up there...now, I'm reading about Suehiro Gokumyo 20000...Shapton 30000...Zulu's...sprays on Nano-cloth covered glass that make CroOx look coarse and more. I'm sure some of you were where I was and am at and have for whatever reason, added some of the previous mentioned.


With some, collecting and using hones is as enjoyable as razors...I get and appreciate that. My curiosity and therefore interest is in how much better edge I can reasonably obtain if I were to add another hone/compound/etc. beyond what I do now, (12000, CrOx on a hanging and finish strop). Obviously, finer hones will produce a smoother edge, it'll look great under magnification and I assume shave better...but...my interest being in the shave....will it be a Wow-difference or would I even notice.

Simply put, having no experience, I have no idea. With the Suehiro 20000, I look at the price and say to myself...that price tag is another sweet Ralf Aust or the like, but, if it would take me from great to Nirvana...I might consider it...What would some of you have to offer in advice...and thanks in advance for your time in helping me weigh this over. Regardless, enjoy the day and your next shave!

You are going to be hard pressed to improve on the Naniwa SS edge with a Synthetic Hone on most razors (note the way I specifically worded that)

If you are looking for a "Different" feel then look into a Natural Finisher...

That's almost a impossible question to answer. Give a master honer same choice, then perhaps he could make a difference, that's noticeable.

Some of the natural hones makes a smoother edge, where synthetic can give a more crisp and sharp feeling.

I guess the real reason for this kinds of extreme hones is a quest for perfection, every honer have to some degree. If money isn't a issue then perhaps it's just to give it a try.

I've personally have many hones, especially finishers. I like to explore and test hones as much as to shave...

That's good to know Glen, thanks. Based on your response, and I did note your wording...(most razors/synthetic hone...looking for a different feel), I suppose with that qualification, and your notable experience/exposure with a vast array of stones, my question would be...any suggestion on the naturals your refer to...I really don't know anything about naturals or what I could expect from them...would the difference be appreciably noticeable...or minute. As well, I note your quote concerning the time taken to learn to use any hone properly...I'm pretty meticulous and appreciate that wisdom. You see, it's a blind question...any thoughts on what natural I might consider and then...would the proper use produce a shaving-noticeable difference or simply be a finer edge to the eye and magnification...Thank you again

This looks like a thread destined for some heated debate. I'm getting my popcorn ready.

20k Suehiro will improve a 12k edge IMO, it is not cheap however.

Naturals are a rabbit hole. You have to try some to know what you like. Say you send some razors out to be finished with different natural finishers, then you have to find good specimens of the kind you like. Then you have to learn how to use the hone correctly. It is a bit of headache and wallet-ache but doable.

I think you can try a Thuringian, you can find smaller sized ones for very reasonable prices. You can also try a J-Nat with Nagura, a small one will not set you back too much. The issue with naturals is that depending on what you hone one hone may not respond equally well to all razors, and that is part of the headache with those types of stones.

I suggest to try a Suehiro 20k Edge and then see what you want to do.

Originally Posted by hardblues

That's good to know Glen, thanks. Based on your response, and I did note your wording...(most razors/synthetic hone...looking for a different feel), I suppose with that qualification, and your notable experience/exposure with a vast array of stones, my question would be...any suggestion on the naturals your refer to...I really don't know anything about naturals or what I could expect from them...would the difference be appreciably noticeable...or minute. As well, I note your quote concerning the time taken to learn to use any hone properly...I'm pretty meticulous and appreciate that wisdom. You see, it's a blind question...any thoughts on what natural I might consider and then...would the proper use produce a shaving-noticeable difference or simply be a finer edge to the eye and magnification...Thank you again

Well Neighbor....I think you should point yer vehicle west and come on out, bring yer razors and try any/all of the hones I have, I'll put on a pot of coffee, a crockpot of damn good chili, and slap a hunk of sweet cornbread in the oven

You bring the adult beverage for the after honing celebration

Ha...I thought it was a pretty simple question...I guess my ignorance was my bliss, however, no debate from me, I requested information and will be glad to read the better informed advise/suggestions...pass the popcorn.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

This looks like a thread destined for some heated debate. I'm getting my popcorn ready.

Wow, my son lives in Couer d Alene...I might just do that one of these days...if I do, it will be my pleasure to meet you. Thank you.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Well Neighbor....I think you should point yer vehicle west and come on out, bring yer razors and try any/all of the hones I have, I'll put on a pot of coffee, a crockpot of damn good chili, and slap a hunk of sweet cornbread in the oven

You bring the adult beverage for the after honing celebration

Mmm, Chili, would that be ELK meat chili???? I'll get in line for an invite, can offer smoked salmon and White Lightning...