Thread: First hone

Hi-o. My first straight razor is shave ready & good to go.
I plan on getting a variety of hones eventually. Probably 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k & 12k.
To start with, I'm thinking of getting the 8k & building from there.
Does everyone agree?
Also, the most common one I see for sale is Shapton Glass for about $130 Australian.
Sound good?
Thanks heaps.

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Shapton Glass is never the wrong answer. The 16K and/or 10K should cover you unless you somehow damage your blade.

Sometimes it is more about what is available where we live. They are quality hones and if you can get them without having to pay an arm and a leg for shipping all is well. A lot of people start with a 12K for touch ups. Unless you get into restoring, it really is cheaper to pay someone else to do the occasional heavy lifting.

Do you know how your currently using was finished on? If you like that edge, then I'd get that one.

The aussie suppliers can be expensive. If you are willing to import you can probably get cheaper. Suppose it depends on which brand you want. Most aussies don't carry much so there isn't really a option. Only thing I have brought fro aus is the dmt rest was from America or Japan. Tools from Japan has a good range and prices.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Do you know how your currently using was finished on? If you like that edge, then I'd get that one.

good advice. i currently finish on a 8k and am happy with the edge. i think most barber hones rate around 6 to 8.

Thank you.
I did find this on ebay last night. Seems to be a reputable seller. Set of 1000k, 5000k & 12000k.$320 including delivery.
I just noticed that they are ceramic; not glass.
Is that significant?

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There is the Shapton Pro series and the Shapton Glass series. Both are good. I have the full set of Glass series through 30K, along with assorted natural stones. I use the Glass series as the foundation for all I do, then stray off on to the naturals for some of my finishing. In other words, some of my razors are finished all the way out to 30K on the Shapton Glass series and others finished on naturals after the prep work on the Glass series.

I've not used the Shapton line, but it sounds like a sound enough plan, 1k > 5k > 12k. How are you going to lap them? That also needs to be factored into the cost mix. For that price point, toolsfromjapan.com has a similar Sigma 1.2k > 5k > 13K sequence that includes an Atoma 400 diamond plate for lapping as part of the package.

In starting out with a full progression, I'm currently inclined towards recommending a Suehiro 1k/3k synth combo, followed by an Inigo Jones dragon's tongue, lapping these as needed with ~P320 wet/dry sandpaper (used wet) on a thick plate of glass. Then perhaps red ferric oxide on sanded vegetable-tanned belt leather as to a higher finish as needed. An alternative to finishing without recourse to a pasted strop might be a decent 1k/6k synth combo (Suehiro, Sigma, even King), followed by one of AJ's Llyn Melynllyn purple slates on the UK ebay, these being lapped with the sandpaper on glass plate in the same way.

Lots of takes on this of course. Sounds like you've had your heart set on Shaptons, so why not take the plunge there if you can afford it?

Originally Posted by Raulski

Thank you.
I did find this on ebay last night. Seems to be a reputable seller. Set of 1000k, 5000k & 12000k.$320 including delivery.
I just noticed that they are ceramic; not glass.
Is that significant?

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Pm Oz. He will be able to give you that information. Pretty sure that there is a difference. Sounds like you are set on shapton so take a week and do some Google foo there are a lot of sellers around in America etc with lower prices than Aus and even with shipping can come out cheaper.