Thread: Good for a beginner?

I am 15 years old, probably have been using a straight razor for a month or two now and I bought one at a antique shop that I have gotten very sharp with a barbers hone, still not shave ready though. I don't have a job but plan on doing my chores to get allowence and save up for a nice set of hones. I found a set that has the norton 220/1k and the 4k/8k and then a hone straightener for 120 dollars. Would this be a good thing to start with or is there a cheaper way to get stuff to do the same job. I want to get what I need as cheap as possible not to sound stupid or whatever but doing chores for 12 weeks or so is a long time to save up for hones.

Why not send it to a honemeister in the mean time 20 bucks would not take as long also until you have a point of reference you won't really understand sharp.

Originally Posted by Doc

Why not send it to a honemeister in the mean time 20 bucks would not take as long also until you have a point of reference you won't really understand sharp.

Eh I don't see the need I have 2 razors to shave with and I don't need another shave ready razor. And they will both hold their edge longer then it will take me to save up the money for the hones. And I have gotten the razor straight from the guy who had just had it professionally hones so I believe I have a point of reference.

Sounds like you want hones then! The set you are looking at would be ideal for restorations. They are more than you'll need for what you're suggesting at the moment. They will allow you to tackle bigger projects in the future though. If that's the best price you can find them for, & you want them, get them.
If you just want them to return a reasonable razor to shave ready, then consider just the 4/8. It'll do a lot of work, but will take a while to fix chips.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Sounds like you want hones then! The set you are looking at would be ideal for restorations. They are more than you'll need for what you're suggesting at the moment. They will allow you to tackle bigger projects in the future though. If that's the best price you can find them for, & you want them, get them.
If you just want them to return a reasonable razor to shave ready, then consider just the 4/8. It'll do a lot of work, but will take a while to fix chips.

I thought this set would be best that way I can buy cheapo antiques and make them shave ready.

I think just about everyone on this board has or has had Norton set. I too have them. While still being new I've had good results on few razors. I plan on sticking with these for awhile. Pyramid method has worked for me ( Lynn's DVD ). It's also published here in threads and wiki.

Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Lynn Abrams On Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Honing - Alternative approaches - Straight Razor Place Wiki

From Ashley meet and more:
Honing videos - Straight Razor Place Wiki

When I first started out I got 2 new razors and got couple pre-owned from Classifieds.

Seems to me you want to hone your own razors. It's nice to have point of reference or benchmark if you will. Grab as many pre-owned razors as you can to practice on. Also there are many reputable members in Classifieds who offer honing services. Best of luck

the 4k/8k and the barbers hone that you mention you have would be a good starting point IMO. good luck on your honing journey.

Hey you can check out craftsman studio, I believe they have a website. They are here in San Diego and I was just in their the other day. They have a special going on right now, you get the norton 220/1000, 4000/8000 and a stone holder for right around a hundred including tax

Originally Posted by bwatte

Hey you can check out craftsman studio, I believe they have a website. They are here in San Diego and I was just in their the other day. They have a special going on right now, you get the norton 220/1000, 4000/8000 and a stone holder for right around a hundred including tax

Well if its a temporary special then that won't work for me itll take awhile to save up money, does it come with a straightener too? Because thats about 20 bucks. Thanks for the heads up though.

No problem, that does not include the flattening stone.

If you plan on getting the norton flattening stone, just be careful because it takes off a lot of stone very quickly. I prefer the dmt d8c because it does not take off too much too quickly and it will always stay flat. The norton will eventually become uneven and it will also need to be lapped