Thread: Newby Honing Question

Ok, I know you guys get alot of honing questions so I will try and be as specific and clear as I can be in the hopes of an easy answer for those who know. I want to start learning to hone but am not sure exactly what hones I need.

First, I will tell you what sort of honing I would like to do. Most of my razors (all except for one which is one I was sent to practice honing on) have been sent to me shave ready. Since I live in Taipei I cannot find the Norton stones (I was recommended to get the Norton combination 4k/8k possibly with the 1k) and think I may be more successful getting the Naniwa since Japan is just next door.

1. Would a Japanese Naniwa Superstone 3000 & 8000 Grit Combo Stone be sufficient to get a a razor to shave ready conditions if it has already been professionally honed at one period in time?

2. Do I need a 1k stone? How do I know if I need to set the bevel. I.e. with the stone that has been sent to me to practice honing on?

3. Do I need a finer stone to finish on? I read that I may only need a coticule? Or perhaps a Barber's hone? Or (which would probably be easier for me to find here) a Naniwa 12k would do the trick? Or do I just need to paste the linen side (I only really use the leather side to be honest) of my strop?

So I guess I am really asking which of these options would you recommend:

A) A Naniwa Superstone 3000 & 8000 Grit Combo Stone ONLY
B) A Naniwa Superstone 3000 & 8000 Grit Combo Stone with a Naniwa Superstone 12000
C) A Naniwa Superstone 3000 & 8000 Grit Combo Stone with a pasted strop.
D) a Naniwa Superstone 12000 ONLY
E) Some sort of paste for linen side of strop ONLY (reccomendations?)


Or perhaps as Glen recommended I should just sit tight and shave and srop for about six months more - I'm into my 3rd month. I thought getting into honing would be something good to get into relatively early on and practice with razors I don't care too much for just so that when I really needed to later on I had some sort of experience with the motions - I've never sharpened any sort of blade before. Your thoughts and advice are most welcome. Thank you!

Your set up B. would be perfect for everything but restorations

You can set a bevel on the 3k it just take longer than on a 1k so other than the bad ones yer fine...

Thanks Glen,

Very helpful - I know EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Also, think this is the easiest one to get my hands on over here.

Cheers!

Hi Glen - or anyone else actually,

Do you think getting a crappy double arrow / gold dollar (unhoned direct from a Chinese seller) and using that to practice on would be a good exericise that could be done with A Naniwa Superstone 3000 & 8000 Grit Combo Stone with a Naniwa Superstone 12000?

Thanks!

The only way I learned to hone razors was by honing razors. More razors is better IME. You could probably make out okay with what you have. If not you could add a coarser stone or something in between 3 and 8 if necessary.

With the fact that you are in Taipei thrown in the mix, I would have to say for you, yes it is a good option... Just make sure you understand that there are a ton of problems that come with some of them, so not getting a good edge might actually be the razors fault....

Originally Posted by ganboyi

Hi Glen - or anyone else actually,

Do you think getting a crappy double arrow / gold dollar (unhoned direct from a Chinese seller) and using that to practice on would be a good exericise that could be done with A Naniwa Superstone 3000 & 8000 Grit Combo Stone with a Naniwa Superstone 12000?

Thanks!

Hi,
I think it is a very good idea to use a "disposable" razor to practice honing. It takes awhile to get the muscle memory down, and it is easy to accidentally lift the razor and mar the bevel on the edge of hone in the beginning.

When I started, somebody on this site sent me a double arrow razor for free, under the condition that when I was done with it I'd send it to somebody else to practice honing... I've already fulfilled my obligation, but I hope you can find a cheap or free DA...

-Chief

Originally Posted by ganboyi

1. Would a Japanese Naniwa Superstone 3000 & 8000 Grit Combo Stone be sufficient to get a a razor to shave ready conditions if it has already been professionally honed at one period in time?

2. Do I need a 1k stone? How do I know if I need to set the bevel. I.e. with the stone that has been sent to me to practice honing on?

3. Do I need a finer stone to finish on? I read that I may only need a coticule? Or perhaps a Barber's hone? Or (which would probably be easier for me to find here) a Naniwa 12k would do the trick? Or do I just need to paste the linen side (I only really use the leather side to be honest) of my strop?

1. yes, although you will most likely want a little more polish on it
2. not unless you chip the razor or start doing resto work
3. need, maybe, prefer, definitely. a pasted strop will do the same trick, no worries.

thank you guys, will let you know how i get on. cheers

hey there,

I wondered what were the pros and cons of getting a good barber's hone as a finishing stone instead of something like a 12k naniwa? I've seen that they are definitely cheaper - do they do the same job?

Thanks