Thread: Buying a Hone

Hi, I have been shaving with a straight razor now for about a month or so..I seem to learn something new everytime I shave. That being said, when it comes time for me to buy a hone for touch up, I am confused at what stone I should buy. I just want a stone to keep the razor sharp when it loses it's shave. I have an old razor that I will practice on first. I'ts in bad shape with pitted rust but the edge looks good so I'm thinking it would be a good razor to practice with.
Thanks.
Terry

If its just touch ups, maybe a barber hone of some type. If it's a restore, or fixing up and old blade a Norton 4/8K and a finisher something in the 12-16K range. C12K is cheap, they go up in price from there.

A barbers hone is what you are looking for, try the classifieds or ebay. They are inexpensive and very easy to use. 4-6 laps and a good stropping afterwards and you will be back in business.

+1 to the Barber's hone. Once the blade starts to tug or pull, do 3-5 lapps and you should be back in business. If you don't plan on buying more razors, I'd keep it simple.
If and when the blade gets to the point where the Barber hone is no longer good enough, You can send out your blade for a proper honing.

There has been a lot of talk about not using ebay for stuff as someone new(ish) to all this. Do barber's hones classify as an exception to this rule?

I'm in the market as well for a barber hone and haven't had much luck finding one.

Yes, No one makes a barber hone now. Look for a Carborundum or Swaty in good shape.

also a beginner, does a finishing hone serve an separate purpose from a barber hone? Is a finishing stone more versatile?

Originally Posted by esse

also a beginner, does a finishing hone serve an separate purpose from a barber hone? Is a finishing stone more versatile?

This is the question that makes things complicated hehehe

In experienced hands most every high grit stone and hone can do everything...

Using some advanced techniques I can do everything from setting a Mild bevel to taking a razor to shave ready on any stone that I can shave off of and even some I can't...

so how do I answer you???

Using just the stone and no advanced techniques a Finishing Hone and a Barber's Hone are about the same A barber's hone is very easy to master for a beginer...

Yep I like that answer

Not to contradict or confuse, but I believe a barbers hone should be your first hone. 1 you need one if you shave with a straight. 2 once you learn to keep the blade flat and use proper X strokes you are ready if you wish to make the jump to honing. A barbers hone will let you learn the fundamentals with very, very little chance of screwing up an edge.

I would say this is probably the one ebay exception. Just make sure of what you are getting and get one in usable condition.

yeah, i'd say those are good answers ty