Thread: Maintaining razor edge

I think there is something to be said for the synchronicity of starting doing.

It was not long after I started I went around to some antique stores. One; going out of business, had everything I needed in a basket of old barber supplies. I left with 2 nice razors a combo barber hone and combo coticule for less than 20 bucks.

It does not happen every day, neither was I satisfied to leave well enough alone. But it will not hurt to see what awaits; rather than trying to decide what you need, go look around and see what needs you.

I also support the notion of starting with norton combo over a coticule, and I am a newbie when it comes to honing razors (probably only done about 30 at this point).

I can consistently get good results from my nortons, but the coticule is still proving a bit hit and miss in the results department (had it for a couple months now). As soon as I put the coticule-honed razors to the nortons, they come up to shave ready very quickly. Maybe I am just impatient, I dont know, but will persist with the coticule as it cost more than both norton combos together!!

Might just be a matter of what you get used to, but thats what has worked for me.

I am with Papabull and randydance 100% on this one. For years before I found SRP and got into honing, all I had was my 2 razors a strop and a barbers hone. You do not need to buy expensive rocks to maintain an edge when 4-6 laps on a barbers hone will do the trick. Here are a few more good names; Dublduk,Shapleigh, KeenKutter, VelvetEdge and Simmons. There are many more and Lynn has a great video that I highly recommend that covers this subject quite well.

BTW a couple of months ago I bought 2 swatys from a knife guy at a gun show for 2 bucks a piece, a whole lot cheaper than buying stones.

Wow, lots of good info here. I keep flipping back and forth between a barber hone/paste and the Naniwa depending on what I read. I know I could find a barber hone cheaper then the Naniwa which, for the moment, may be the decision breaker. I've spent a lot of money lately on razors and SWMBO has asked politely that I reel it in for bit.

Originally Posted by bmc1979

Wow, lots of good info here. I keep flipping back and forth between a barber hone/paste and the Naniwa depending on what I read. I know I could find a barber hone cheaper then the Naniwa which, for the moment, may be the decision breaker. I've spent a lot of money lately on razors and SWMBO has asked politely that I reel it in for bit.

Just keep in mind that razor hones aren't designed for serious stock removal and are at their apex of performance when an edge just needs refreshing and not a complete rebevel like on an Ebay special that's been used to open boxes.

Oh, and be careful with fingers and thumb when holding the hone. I've drawn blood more than a couple times using them carelessly.

I also recommend a dish soap and water mixture as the honing fluid on barber hones. Works like a champ.

Originally Posted by PapaBull

I also recommend a dish soap and water mixture as the honing fluid on barber hones. Works like a champ.

Best post i've read all day, thanks Robert!

I too am looking for the "best" way to maintain already-honed edges, so I will continue to read this thread with interest.

Like the OP, trying to avoid HAD....