Thread: Beginner Hone Setup

Hi All,

I have been shaving with a straight razor for about 6 months now, and want to be able to maintain my edges without sending them out each time. I also want to get into maintaining the edges on my kitchen (victornix fibrox) and pocket knives (opniel) as well, so I have a few questions on what setup to get started on without breaking the bank. My current plan is to get a Shapton pro 12k and pasted strop to maintain the edges on my straight razor, a norton 220/1000 for sharpening my knives, and then a marble or granite slab with sandpaper to lap them. I don't plan on taking my straight razors from dull to shave ready, but instead plan to have a professional hone them, and then maintain them myself. Am I on the right track here? I am trying to keep the cost as low as possible, while still getting quality stones. If I enjoy it enough, I plan to expand my collection to something like a 4/8k norton in the future, but don't really see the need for it right now. My last question would be, as a beginner to honing, would refreshing a razor on a 12k be simple enough to learn on and not have to worry about ruining the blade?

Thanks for any and all help.

Yes you are

I have multiple customers that do exactly what you are saying

Most use either a Natural finisher or a Naniwa SS 12k but I see no reason a Shapton 12k won't work too

I rarely see the razor after an initial honing, once it is set up they can maintain them for years ..

Yup, your approach is text book. Get a pro like Glen ^^^ to set you up correctly then maintain with a finisher.
As mentioned many have the Naniwa 12k, the good thing with this is everyone that has one can help you if needed.

dont forget to make sure you can flatten hone. sandpaper on flat surface can do the trick. Some hones might already come flat though. I suggest naniwa 12k or jnat from reliable seller as touch up hone

I would advise shaving off of the Shapton 12k before purchasing that stone. Many people find the edges off of that stone to be harsh. Otherwise everything that you have said makes sense.

I'm 4 years into this and that's what I do. Naniwa 12k will give as good a shave as most once you have learned it, shave 10 times from a well honed blade, then take your razor up and down that Nani 4-6 ultra light laps, then strop and shave if not quite there do it again.

I still send my razors to Glen for any real work and so far I,m money ahead. Like he said after its honed it doesn't need to see him again for a couple of years. And 1 naniwa 12k is cheap. Tc

Originally Posted by relk19

Hi All,

I have been shaving with a straight razor for about 6 months now, and want to be able to maintain my edges without sending them out each time. I also want to get into maintaining the edges on my kitchen (victornix fibrox) and pocket knives (opniel) as well, so I have a few questions on what setup to get started on without breaking the bank. My current plan is to get a Shapton pro 12k and pasted strop to maintain the edges on my straight razor, a norton 220/1000 for sharpening my knives, and then a marble or granite slab with sandpaper to lap them. I don't plan on taking my straight razors from dull to shave ready, but instead plan to have a professional hone them, and then maintain them myself. Am I on the right track here? I am trying to keep the cost as low as possible, while still getting quality stones. If I enjoy it enough, I plan to expand my collection to something like a 4/8k norton in the future, but don't really see the need for it right now. My last question would be, as a beginner to honing, would refreshing a razor on a 12k be simple enough to learn on and not have to worry about ruining the blade?

Thanks for any and all help.

Welcome, as this is your first post. For starters, it would be helpful to know where you are located. Basically, you are seeking a honing set-up for razors, stainless-steel kitchen knives, and carbon or stainless-steel pocket knives, no?

Originally Posted by bluesman7

I would advise shaving off of the Shapton 12k before purchasing that stone. Many people find the edges off of that stone to be harsh. Otherwise everything that you have said makes sense.

It's a bit of a tricky stone. There's a sweet spot with it where it's as smooth and comfortable as you please. But it's also pretty easy to shoot passed that into over-worked territory and make the edge a bit nippy. On the bright side, a little bit of CrOx and a couple of shaves will take that bite off and make it nice and smooth again.

Just gotta remember less is more. Less pressure, fewer laps.

Welcome to the forum, I would say that you are on the right track.

What you are suggesting is almost exactly what I do. I buy all of my razors shave ready and I just refresh them on a 12K when required.

The only differences in your suggested set up and mine are that I went with the Naniwa 12K which is a great stone, and my pasted strop is a paddle strop. I just figured that since it is flat it would be better. I don't know if that makes a difference or not but it works well for me.

It seemed like a big cost when I first bought the stone, but it has already paid for itself many times. In addition the fact that I can maintain my own edges gives me some enjoyment and a sense of satisfaction.

Good luck with this. Sorry I can't offer much help on the knives though.

If/when you decide to go further in your honing, for dull razors: That Norton 1000 can be the beginning of your razor honing - as a bevel setter. Your marble slab would allow you to use lapping film for honing in the mid range. And the 12k will be a good finisher.

I started with just lapping film, but didn't really like it for bevel setting or final finish.