Taking the plunge

[alschepis]

I've been looking at youtube videos on honing and I must say it looks kind of daunting. Should I take the plunge and invest in a couple of stones or should I just send my razors out every three months or so?

[cugel]

the water's fine, jump in.

[BobH]

If you do go with buying hones don't expect great edges from the get go. It can take a surprising amount of time before you get decent results. I'd just bugger around with one razor and keep the others for shaving and sending out.

Bob

[PaulKidd]

If you do go with buying hones don't expect great edges from the get go. It can take a surprising amount of time before you get decent results. I'd just bugger around with one razor and keep the others for shaving and sending out.

Bob

Bob is right. Practice with one razor, send the others out until you get the hang of it.

If I had it to do over again, I'd start with a Naniwa 12K, a DMT 325 plate, a roll of 7mil
electrical tape, and a 20x magnifier. If your razor is in good shape to begin with, then
that set-up is all you'll need to keep it shave ready. I presume that you already have a
good strop.

Then find yourself an Elmer, who knows what he's doing, and get some lessons.
Do everything you can to resist HAD...at least until you really know what you're
looking for.

Later, you could add a felt strop and some CrOx spray, which IMHO is a good
companion to the 12k stone.

Good luck to ya!