Thread: Touch up hone

I was dulling my razor as I learned to strop and it was killing my face. Read through some of the threads and posts and decided to buy a Franz Swaty barber hone to try and bring back the edge. (They were originally honed by Lynn so I know it was me)
Purchased a Swaty and ran the blade on it the way everyone describes on this website. It worked well and I was able to continue to learn stropping and keep a fine edge. I now can strop pretty well and have only used the Swaty on occasion to freshen the blade.

Now, this has started me down the path of collecting Barber's hones..

IIRC, Glen (gssixgun) was selling barber hones on his site, so it might be worth having a look there as well.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Strops are not meant to sharpen, just to smooth the edge.

Sorry for crashing in like this.......
So therefore a strop is to:

1. Smooth the edge??
2. A hone is to actually sharpen the razor??

Thanks in advance,

Razorback

Originally Posted by RazorBack

Sorry for crashing in like this.......
So therefore a strop is to:

1. Smooth the edge??
2. A hone is to actually sharpen the razor??

Thanks in advance,

Razorback

Yes, and the smoothing by the strop is really simply re-aligning minor deformations at the very tip of the bevel, aka, the edge.

Utopian and mainaman,

Earlier i read in this forum that there are PLENTY gentleman here to help newbies (like me) out. You are defenitely one of them.
Thanks for the advice; much appreciated.

Cheers,

Razorback

Originally Posted by KenL

I'm sorry if you already discussed this a million times, but the search function isn't working for me. I'm looking into getting a hone to refresh my edge. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I'm a newb at shaving with a straight and I just sent my razor to SRD for the free rehoning, but would like to do it myself next time.

My razor got dull pretty quickly, about 2 weeks. I dont think my stropping was sharpening it. I have to work on that.

I'm looking at the Naniwa superstone 10k. Would that do the trick or should I look for the 12k or something else altogether?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Ken

One of the problems with being new at this is that it's tough to correct your mistakes, you generally lack the experience and equipment. Hang in there.

One thing that helps the members with more experience is to know where new members live. You'd be surprised at the number of people who will get on the phone with you, or invite you into their homes to show you some tricks that will get you right back in business.

If new members have misgivings about posting their location in their profile, they should remember that we're a cult, not some crazy stalkers.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

Now, this has started me down the path of collecting Barber's hones..

Now be careful there. Some people have gone a bit overboard in that endeavor!

Funny story...sorta
I actually decided NOT to getta hone for now...I sent my razor to my reputable honemeister to get what I thought was a light "touchup" from my blade tugging n pulling somewhat...NOPE!....
The good man..had to reset the bevel and remove "wavy small chips"...I wouldn't had thought this at all..my honemeister was shocked I survived 4 months with here and there a nick or two..just a thought...so you know if your blade is REALLY in good condition..then again..I'm not an expert in this field

pcDad

Originally Posted by Utopian

Now be careful there. Some people have gone a bit overboard in that endeavor!

Really?.......LOL

Originally Posted by pcdad

Funny story...sorta
I actually decided NOT to getta hone for now...I sent my razor to my reputable honemeister to get what I thought was a light "touchup" from my blade tugging n pulling somewhat...NOPE!....
The good man..had to reset the bevel and remove "wavy small chips"...I wouldn't had thought this at all..my honemeister was shocked I survived 4 months with here and there a nick or two..just a thought...so you know if your blade is REALLY in good condition..then again..I'm not an expert in this field

pcDad

When I first started I had a pulling problem also. I only lasted about 6 weeks before I sent my first blade out for honing and at the same time purchased another blade so I had a spare.

Again, thanks for your honesty and encouragement. I like the sounds of the Chinese hone. Anyone else have experience with that type of hone?

I'm still workIng on my stropping; I have some questions about that.

The learning curve is a bit challenging, but that's ok. I've been flyfishing for a few years and still consider myself a newbie, so I can deal with the learning curve.

Thanks again for your advice!

Ken