Thread: Hone for touch up

I am looking at a hone for touch up of the two shave ready razors that I am using. I am starting to experience a lack of keeness on the shaves after about 2 months of 4 to 6 shaves a week. I am thinking a 12k stone would be good for a touch up; but, wanted to get some advice from you guys. Both of my razors have been honed by honemisters (Lynn and Glen) and they have been giving great shaves until this week. It just feels like they are pulling somewhat. Carlo

Barber hones would work, a C12k can (but it's slow - more strokes = more chances for error unless you have a good honing stroke). The Naniwa 12k or a high grit Shapton would also work, but those are more expensive.

Chrome ox or some other paste on either balsa, a hanging strop, or hard felt could work too.

The Naniwa 12k was what I was looking at. I read a review here on it, and thinking of adding some of the other stones as time goes by. But, I just need a touch up now. I was not bothered by the price.

Go for a barber hone. There are often several on the classifieds.

Barber hone, hands down.

I think the Naniwa 12K or a Shapton 16K would be a great choice.

I would also suggest a hard felt strop and some diamond spray. That's what I have been using lately if I have a razor that isn't quite "there" and just needs a slight touch up. Works great and couldn't be easier to use.

Do consider a pair of balsa hones.
Charge them with 1.0 and 0.5 diamond or CrOx (~0.5u).

They are inexpensive and easy to use.

Do correspond with the honemaster that last worked on your razor
so you know if it was taped or not and what the last two stones in te progression
used were.

I've got a Shapton 16 and 30K, a Japanese Natural, Pasted Strops, Coticule, and a Barbers Hone.

They all work well. IMO, it's more important to consider what you might want to do in the future. If you think you want synthetics and you intend to potentially start doing your own honing from bevel setting through finish, there are a lot of good options. In this scenario, you may want to pick the finishing stone that falls in the system of stones that you feel you may prefer (Shapton or Naniwa or whatever else). If you only want to do minor touch ups, then you may be very happy with the Barbers Hone. If you want to do a little more than just basic touchups, but don't want a full system (or are just drawn to natural stones), you could pick up a coticule from a good source and have a versatile stone that will also give you a very nice finished edge.

The point is that there are many good options, but it would be helpful if you know (or have a good idea of) what you may want to proceed into at some point in the future. Pick one and get after it. Have a fun with it, Sir

issards paste is very good also and very cheap if you prefer a hone then the choice is yours many choices

Thanks for all the great advice. I am getting the N12KSS. I am going to look for a barber hone as well.