Thread: Newbie asking for hone advice.

So if I pick up a Norton 4000/ 8000, will I be able to go from the 8000 and shave. Or do I need a finishing stone.

I was looking at the Naniwa stones. Would I get a better edge for my tough beard from two stones, say a 8000 and then a 12,000?

What would be the best set up for a new guy to razor honing?

By the way I really like Japanese sharpening stones in doing other sharpening jobs.

The Norton will take you to shave ready, assuming you have a strop to finish the job.

Originally Posted by joscobo

So if I pick up a Norton 4000/ 8000, will I be able to go from the 8000 and shave. Or do I need a finishing stone.

I was looking at the Naniwa stones. Would I get a better edge for my tough beard from two stones, say a 8000 and then a 12,000?

What would be the best set up for a new guy to razor honing?

By the way I really like Japanese sharpening stones in doing other sharpening jobs.

You can get there from the 8k norton, I did for quite a while. And yes a 12k would get you there better, but that is another layer of skill that needs to be built up.

When first starting out I really like the Norton 4/8k stone. One stone that can keep you opporating will low funds invested. Once you get the skills worked and know your hooked... errr... Interested in continuing (ya thats it) you can start fleshing out you *AD's (DOH!) errr... Adding to your equipment

People on SRP have shaved off 8k Nortons for many years. Only fairly recently have other hones come into widespread use as well. So, you won't necessarily need a finishing hone.

Another question is that of what you are trying to achieve. We have compiled a list of recommendations in the Wiki that should get you started:

What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki
The choice of which hones to use, and even the use of them in general as it pertains to refreshing a blade, is considered one of the most personal issues in straight razor shaving. There is a saying: "There are 5,000 ways to cook a chicken. You know 5." The same idea may well be true when it comes to honing a razor. Therefore, we have compiled a number of thoughts on the subject to help you begin thinking about what will be best for you. The below list is neither authoritative, nor is it complete. It is intended to indicate what choices are available. The method or methods that will work for you is ultimately down to your own personal experience, skill, and the combination of razors and hones used.

Originally Posted by joscobo

By the way I really like Japanese sharpening stones in doing other sharpening jobs.

Are you saying you dont have stones as fine as 4/8 or you think you need something different, specialized for razors.

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

And yes a 12k would get you there better, but that is another layer of skill that needs to be built up.

If you are proficient with lower grit hones I wonder what additional skills you need with finer hones.

Originally Posted by kevint

Are you saying you dont have stones as fine as 4/8 or you think you need something different, specialized for razors.

I don't have any that fine. I have used Naniwa stones up to 1000 for knife sharpening. Not mine, other peoples.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

People on SRP have shaved off 8k Nortons for many years. Only fairly recently have other hones come into widespread use as well. So, you won't necessarily need a finishing hone.

Another question is that of what you are trying to achieve. We have compiled a list of recommendations in the Wiki that should get you started:

That answered my question. I want to stone to maintain the edge of my already honed razor. Having about the 12,000, 10,000 and pasted strops with this and that micron diamond paste I wondered what I would need. This article cleared that up for me.

Originally Posted by joscobo

That answered my question. I want to stone to maintain the edge of my already honed razor. Having about the 12,000, 10,000 and pasted strops with this and that micron diamond paste I wondered what I would need. This article cleared that up for me.

Glad to hear that the Wiki was effective for you. A honemiester recommended to me to shave off of the 4/8 before moving up in grit. That way you know that you got the razor shaving sharp. The additional grit offers further smoothness but if you didn't get the sharpness at the 8k level you would be spinning your wheels. Let us know how you make out with whatever you do.