Hope its OK to ask this question but can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier if quality honing stones?
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Hope its OK to ask this question but can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier if quality honing stones?
'The Invisible Edge' sell a wide range of the Naniwa speciality stones, that might be a good place to start.
For coticule Gary Haywood. Or Direct to Ardennes Coticule.
The Straight Razor Specialist - Razor Sharpening, Honing, Whetstones and Strops. Razor Sharpening UK, Razor Honing UK, Razor Sharpening Nottingham, Razor Honing Nottingham
http://www.ardennes-coticule.be/en
For Naniwa you can go to the invisible edge, or to knives and tools who are based on the continent but in the EU so no taxes. There can be a big difference in price between the 2.
Naniwa whetstones - Become a Japanese master | knivesandtools.co.uk
https://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/27-hones
Norton is really expensive over here we pay 1:1 dollar conversions or even higher. Making them silly money.
Personally I'd go with knives and tools and pick up one of the naniwa sets if you don't have any stones. The 1, 5, 10 set is good value. £138
Package deal Naniwa Specialty whetstones, grid 1000 / 5000 / 10000 | knivesandtools.co.uk
Failing that you can also mix and match by buying seperates.
The pro1K then a 5, 8, 12K in the superstone set is a really nice rotation if you have no stones at all. Not cheap, but bullet proof £222.
Naniwa Professional Stone, P310, grit: 1000 | knivesandtools.co.uk
Naniwa Specialty Stone, SP-450, grit: 5000 | knivesandtools.co.uk
Naniwa Specialty Stone, SP-480, grit: 8000 | knivesandtools.co.uk
Naniwa Specialty Stone, SP-491, grit: 12000 | knivesandtools.co.uk
For chrome oxide powder i use humbrol av0005 weathering powder. It's pigment grade pure chrome oxide.
http://www.tesco.com/direct/humbrol-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
Strops and bits Invisible Edge. They have a decent <£20 strop.
https://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/s...ing-strop.html
And if you are planning on using paste they have a Linen + leather strop for <£30.
https://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/s...ing-strop.html
Invisible Edge strop pastes are a little on the steep side price wise hence the Humbrol Pigment, You can mix the pigment with a little light oil and use that paste instead of a pre mixed one.
Back on stones I read your other thread and saw what stones you already have. If you are wanting to do things on the cheap you can pick up just the 8K super stone. And continue to use the cheap stones you have. You can shave from the 8K naniwa without a problem, and if you do a final finish with chrome oxide it should give good irritation free shaves. It's not an ideal setup but it is cheaper than replacing everything. When you compare your cheap 8K to the Naniwa you will instantly see the difference in the finish. It will be worlds apart. And when you want to expand the naniwa range you have the 8K and it will fit directly into a 1, 5, 8, 12K lineup.
http://www.knivesandtools.co.uk/en/p...one-sp-480.htm
If you want a cheap stone flattening system then Wilko do a granite worktop saver for £10. Use it with some fine grade wet and dry paper like 1200 grit and you should be golden.
http://www.wilko.com/chopping-boards...r/invt/0262890
http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-wet-...ck-of-10/98101
Wow thanks for the links guys lots to choose from!
Eden whetstone is the cheapest I,ve seen for naniwas.
Do you have a link please?
Eden re-branded to knives and tools. Same shop and prices.
I went out and bought a granite slab and flatterned my current stones and managed to get a descent edge on my razor. I'm saving up for an 8k as suggested above or I might go for a single coticule and go down that route
Coticule is one of the harder naturals to use. Simply for the fact they have so much variation. My own rock is slow as hell but leaves a fantastic edge, Others with exactly the same layer have had to send them back because they just couldn't get them to play nice.
If you go this route you have the 2 links I would personally use already. Both links will sort you out with good rocks if you ask nice.
I would advise getting a 8K synthetic finisher first. The naniwa will do everything you need. Then once you learn that and get great edges from it decide if you want to go with more polish on the synthetic route for a crisper shave, or down the coticule route for a smooth shave.
For the time been I'd advise reading up about the coticule, and do a few forum searches for the problems people have had with them. Also watch a few video's on how we use them. The method for using them is very different to synthetics. A slurry is built then the razor is honed on that slurry as you dilute it off, And with that dilution the stone looses cutting power in favour of polish. It's more a felt thing than something that can be explained. And without knowing where sharp is and how you want the razor dialled in you will be working blind.
If you live in spitting distance of Coventry feel free to PM me and arrange to meet up. I don't drive, but I have a kettle, and a decent sized box of rocks.
If coticule, direct from Ardennes. Synthetics I would order from Germany, significantly cheaper when I've searched, Dictum, Dieter Schmid fine tools or similar
Iceni I live in Sheffield so not a hat close I'm afraid.
It seems there is much more to this straight razor thing than I thought when I decided to get one. 30 years ago my wife who's a hairdresser and qualified barber shaved me with a straight for practice, best shave I ever had although my bristles weren't as thick as now. She doesn't use razors now but I thought I would try myself.
:)
If you fancy a drive out it might be worth popping over to Gary Haywoods barbers shop in Nottingham then.
The Straight Razor Specialist
The Barber Shop
125 Sneinton Dale
Sneinton
Nottingham
NG2 4LW
He's about 40-45 miles away. Stocks coticules as well as razors and gear. And is well respected for his work. If you phone in advance you may be able to book an hour or 2 honing with him as well to get the basics dialled in. It would depend on if he is offering that sort of service, I'm not sure if he does but there is no harm in asking.
The shop is about 1.5 miles from the train station so you could walk to it if you don't drive.
Wet shave and a haircut for £15 as well so that's not half bad :D
Thanks I might give him a shout.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonio
Your more than welcome to pop over . I have naniwas of my own along with coticules, paste sprays etc . Even though I sell coticules as a learner I would highly recommend the naniwas 3 k 8 k to learn with. If you pop over you can try mine out. You can have a play on a coticule. .
I appreciate that I emailed you today regarding calling through. I will check my work roster and see when I can make it. What time of day is best for you? Is it possible to park near the shop?
Not received email, but yes parking is no problem. I,m of on Thursdays and any evening Monday Tuesday or wenesday after 5 o'clock
Oh I got a reply to the email :)
Ill ring when I work out what I'm doing workwise.
Thanks