Thread: New guy New razor Same old Question

I'm reading this area in hopes of finding a real good generic (if that's possible) hone. It almost seems as personal as the razor. But the price to keep buying hones in "hopes" of finding a good one, not a realistic advanture. So, experts, I would really appreciate some help. Oh yea, price can be in the $100 range. thanks in advance

Not sure why would you want a 'generic' hone. The lack of brand would make it a complete gamble as far as how it works on a razor and since you have no experience to judge it yourself it seems like a really bad approach.

The usual answer is that it depends what do you want to do with the hone(s), i.e. how bad of an edge you'll have to bring to shaving condition.

The norton set 220/1000 4000/8000 is the cheapest 'complete' option.
The naniwa version I think is slightly more expensive.

see, I'm not sure what questions to even ask correctly. My razor is a Dovo Black star. I strop gently according to Lynns DVD. I get a nice shave but lately it seems duller. So, the idea of getting it back to good shaving level is about where I'm at. You are correct in that I have no frame of reference in what I'm looking for. I have used Nortons before for sharpening knifes and axes. That would seem to concur with your suggestion of the Norton set. thanks

If you've already gotten a nice shave I might suggest, along with the Norton, to consider a "Chinese Hone". I believe it is called the "Chinese 12K" by most people.

That would be a good inexpensive "generic" hone. It lacks the deep cutting ability of the 4K side of the Norton.

You probably just need a finishing hone or some sort. There are many to choose from.

Every stone is good. The actual variable is the person using it. What you need to do is get a stone and take the time to learn how to use it. We blame a lot, and give a lot of credit; to hones. But if we peer deep into their semi-pourous surfaces we would discover that they are all just mindless rocks. Very flat, smooth rocks; but just rocks none-the-less.

Originally Posted by judgeh59

see, I'm not sure what questions to even ask correctly.

that's nothing to worry about, we'll ask you back and eventually can figure it out

Originally Posted by judgeh59

My razor is a Dovo Black star. I strop gently according to Lynns DVD. I get a nice shave but lately it seems duller.

Perfect, this is exactly the info we needed and it's the perfect place to be at, as far as honing is concerned.

I agree with Alan that almost any finishing hone should do it. In the old days there were barber hones for this precise job, they could still be found relatively inexpensive ($10-$50) but if they have chips on the edges lapping them could be an almost exercise in futility (they're very very hard). And chips on the edges can be very bad when you are just learning to hone and have not perfected keeping the razor flat on the hone.

The chinese hone is quite slow, but it should work too (I never played enough with mine).
And there is always the possibility of norton 4000/8000 which is most certainly enough, probably slightly more than what you need. The advantage of the norton is that there is a lot of help available, and ready recipes of what to do.

Or a pasted strop could do the job too.

Originally Posted by gugi

The chinese hone is quite slow, but it should work too (I never played enough with mine).

I worked last night on my razors...... Put 150-200 laps on my C12k to bring them up after the a few passes on the N8k..... I am interested in a faster cutting finishing stone.

Here is the cheapest and best finisher for the money out there. I used it until I bought the Naniwa stones. This one even comes with a slurry which helps and is rated around 12K. Very good hone for the price.
New Chinese Water Hone / Waterstone for Straight Razor - eBay (item 360211940224 end time Dec-26-09 06:19:34 PST)

Good Luck

For around 100 bucks you could find a belgium coticule, it wont be very big though. With it you can take a razor from setting the bevel to finished edge on one stone from what i've read around here. I havent used one yet but they have a good following on SRP. If you will only ever use it for touching up there is good advice above.

Chips on the edges are No problem if you have low grit DMT or sandpaper. Chamferring the edges even on a very HARD stone (my swaty) takes a matter of seconds.


The main disadvantage of barbers is the regular lapping (flattening the honing surface) that can take an hour or more of agressive lapping. With that much surface contacting, it grinds down SLOW. Also, size. If you're starting with a new or mint razor, then I can not see a single reason why you wouldn't want a ~3" wide touch up hone. It simplifies the honing so much.

That said, I'd recommend anything 2.5"x6 or 2.5"x8 (or bigger) that is an appropriate finishing stone, since you have a $100 budget, that's possible.

Options:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...34-x-1-14.aspx

Also I believe the Naniwa 10k/12k superstones or shapton 16k would fit the bill. A lucky find on a wide Yellow Coticule may. I'm sure others can recommend more.

If you're working with smiling blades, a narrower stone is an advantage, but on a very slight smile or straight edge, the wider (up to 3", beyond that is wasted (unless your blade is more than 3") the better.

Yes the Norton 4K/8K is probably the closest thing to the "Swiss Army Knife" of hones for a straight. You can do a repair and get a great shaveable edge off it. It's really all you ever need. Certainly its not the be all and end all of hones however if you don't want a hone collection and spend ever increasing amounts of money in search of the ultimate hone it might be the answer for you.