One hone for touching up

I have not honed a razor, but am thinking it is time to give it a try. All of my razors have been bought prehoned. I have used CrOx to maintain an edge, but it seems like some of my razors need just a little more. I am not interested in trying to restore razors or anything like that, just want to be able to bring an edge back up to top shape. So I'm thinking about buying my first razor hone. I was thinking about one of the finer Naniwas. Not sure if I should go with a 12,000 or a 10,000. Which would be better for a single touch up stone?

touch up hone should be barber
hone. if you want to fine hone then you can go 12 naniwa etc.
hope this helps

Any fine hone could be used for touch-ups. If you want a quick and easy one to use (3-5 strokes) then you can't go wrong with something like a barber hone. Another cheap option is to buy a Chinese ("12k") stone, but it would take more strokes.

The Naniwa 12k or Shapton 16k would be other fine synthetic hones that would work well for it, but cost more than other options. It depends on your budget.

If you get a barber hone that is already lapped, how long should you be able to use it before it'll need to be lapped again?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by captainboog

If you get a barber hone that is already lapped, how long should you be able to use it before it'll need to be lapped again?

---

To be honest I wouldn't be surprised at all if it doesn't need lapping again in your lifetime. They are generally VERY hard hones so I don't think they would become dished with wear for a long time (years and years) of regular use.

So relative to nortons or shaptons, or others, how fine is the surface of a barber hone that you would use for touch up?

depends some finer some not.example frictionate00 a lot finer. It is not the only one more out there.

There are so many good hones out there, But i would think that a Swaty Razor hone will give you a lifetime of touchups as long as it was lapped 1st to be sure of the flatness of your hone, You shouls be able to get 1 from a member here or sat worst case ebay
for about $35 us

Does anyone know any thing about this hone?

Buy Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" at Woodcraft.com

Says they are China from the Guangxi province of China.

Thanks from a newbie.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MinniesMate

Does anyone know any thing about this hone?

Buy Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" at Woodcraft.com

Says they are China from the Guangxi province of China.

Thanks from a newbie.

---

That's the famous "Chinese 12k" stone. It's a very good finishing stone for the value, but it is a slow stone and take considerably more laps (i.e. 50-100 or more depending) than a faster finishing stone. It's very cost effective though. :tu

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MinniesMate

Does anyone know any thing about this hone?

Buy Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" at Woodcraft.com

Says they are China from the Guangxi province of China.

Thanks from a newbie.

---

I just bought one; howver I am very new to this, so I will reserve any advice. Some on this forum say it takes more strokes on this stone vs. other stones. But, hey, that is just more strokes to engrain muscle memory.

Thanks for the replies. I am looking for a budget friendly stone to hone my razor. It is a vintage razor so it has been honed in the past.

I assume that this would be considered a "finishing stone".

I would personally go for a coticule, combo if possible. It allows you to do all of your honing and if its a particularly nice one even shave off it and get a really nice comfortable shave, if not then just hit the chrome and your set.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sarend

I just bought one; howver I am very new to this, so I will reserve any advice. Some on this forum say it takes more strokes on this stone vs. other stones. But, hey, that is just more strokes to engrain muscle memory.

---

It will need to be lapped if you are going to get the most out of it.
Mike

I own the Chinese stone & it is a nice finisher, however IME it is too slow to use as a touch-up hone. I always touch up on my Swaty, then finish on the Chinese stone.

There's quite a few thread about this (I started two) and many contributions from knowledgable members here. There's even a poll! Lemme see if I can't link it...

edit: here we go!

a thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic...h-up-hone.html

a poll: http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic...-up-stone.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kingfish

It will need to be lapped if you are going to get the most out of it.
Mike

---

Yes, sir. That is the first thing I did.

I am still working on my honing technique. I can only get the blade sharp enough to go WTG and XTG, but not ATG.