Thread: Touch up hone

Originally Posted by KenL

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

The synthetic hones have one big advantage over the natural stones...they are much more uniform in grit size and composition & easier to set up and maintain. Therefore I have to recommend hones like the Norton 8K, Shapton Glass or Naniwa to new guys. The natural stones and barber hones are fun and very effective but they can require more effort to start and/or to maintain.

Just my $.02,

I hear that the Chineese 12K takes 50 laps to polish the edge, but the Naniwa only needs 10-15 laps. Can you make 50 good strokes with no pressure ?

ps: In addition to your stropping, also take a look at your shaving angles and face prep. Using too upright of an angle will dull your blade much faster than usual. Wetting your face, lathering, leaving the lather on your face for 2-3 minutes to soften the stubble, and then relathering (partially dry lather doesn't shave well) may also help keep your blade sharper longer.

Originally Posted by JohnG10

I hear that the Chineese 12K takes 50 laps to polish the edge, but the Naniwa only needs 10-15 laps. Can you make 50 good strokes with no pressure ?

Realistically, I don't think this is as big of an issue as some make it out to be. If you CAN'T do 50 good strokes, then the odds are good that you can't do 10 good strokes either, and vice versa.

If someone is honing a bunch of razors, the high stroke requirement can be problematic. However, if a guy is just maintaining a few razors, the high stroke requirement is superfluous--about the same time it takes to strop every day. If your time is THAT valuable, then it's likely you are not going to bother with a straight anyway.

Don't consider this as my endorsing the Chinese hone. I think any of the options you are considering will be just fine with practice.

I also doubt that it takes 50 laps to refresh an edge on the CH12K. Actually, it depends on how far degraded the edge has become.
I hope the OP realizes that he has a number of good options and enjoys the experience.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I also doubt that it takes 50 laps to refresh an edge on the CH12K. Actually, it depends on how far degraded the edge has become.
I hope the OP realizes that he has a number of good options and enjoys the experience.

Agreed. That key to maintaining a good edge is to correct it AS SOON AS the quality of the shave diminishes. If you do that, it probably will require less than 50 strokes to restore the edge.

i read some guys give there razor 10 laps a week on say ch12k or coti and it keeps the razor going for along time. i'm sure it would work.never tryed it my self.

if it was 12k naniwa this would'nt be nesa cerry may be just 3 laps a week

Originally Posted by gary haywood

i read some guys give there razor 10 laps a week on say ch12k or coti and it keeps the razor going for along time. i'm sure it would work.never tryed it my self.

if it was 12k naniwa this would'nt be nesa cerry may be just 3 laps a week

Sounds like they use them as a "Barber Hone" Gary. I use a Swaty before I shave, 3 lapps, that's it. When they start tug, I may use some paste, it usually works. Once it happens again, it's time to hit the rocks. Lot's of choices already mentioned....