Thread: finishing straight razors

The only thing I know about mine really is that there are natural Japanese whetstone

Ok since getting home I have taken a few pictures and been working on the razor.

Ok so here is the generic brand Hone 400o and 8000 grit This was brought from ebay and is supposed to be for straight razors

Here is the 600 and 1000 grit master class "tool" hone

Here is the cheap Razor by Creative edge

Thi is the edge as seen through 40X magnification though through the camera you cant really see that.

And the other side.

The bevel seems fine (set using 4000 grit) Idid a final pass making 45 degree stroke away from the edge (this was to get all the "stiria" in the same direction) I have now done about 20 laps on the 8000 grit at 90 degrees from the edge ( there are now no 45 degree angles left) and can shave arm hair somewhat with it.

this is what I have after about 50 strokes on 8000 grit

Originally Posted by danielpalfrey

I have problems been over hear in the uk sourcing these brands like norton

Classichandtools.com sell the Norton 220/1k 4/8k with lapping stone. A great set of stones. Also they used to offer a discount if you mentioned being a member of srp

just took it to my strop and it still only shaved somewhat, so I got some paste and pasted up an old strop and gave it a few laps, then leather strop then tested and it shaved a hell of a lot better, my guess is that the 8k I am using is more like the norton 4k?

will take a look and hope they ship over here lol

ok the kit itself is a little out of my price range, so I am thinking of ordering the 4000/8000 combi stone (assuming the lower grit stone can still be used to just get that bevel close) and order a different lapping system (maybe a piece of glass and some sand paper lol

They are UK based. Email and ask if they will still discount for straight razor place members. They did when I got mine.

I know they can be a bit pricy but trust me in the long run they are cheap. I must have tried every cheap ebay option, DIY store, and every where else I could, trying to save money until one day I added up what I spent on trying to do it cheaply. If I had bought the Norton to start with I'd have saved money! Plus I never managed to get a shave ready edge until I got the Norton.

Originally Posted by Marshal

I think the "8k is entry level for shaving sharp" thing is mostly in regards to synthetic hones. There's no getting around the fact that they cut different than naturals. I think it's safe to say you at least need an 8k synthetic for a comfortable shave, naturals on the other hand are in a league of their own.

I am afraid I cannot comment on that as I my only finishers are naturals unless you would call barber hones finishers but I don't use those as finishers.

Originally Posted by danielpalfrey

OMG my Mrs has just told me she broke my lapping plate!!!!! Is there a cheap way I can lap my stones untill a new plate can be ordered?

Sandpaper on a kitchen worktop.