First hone?

I currently own just one straight, and touch it up on .5 crox as needed (about weekly). I would like to get a stone that is one step down from the crox ( I will finish on crox) which will allow me to keep my razor very sharp. I still plan to send my razor in for honing once a year or so, but want to be able to maintain a good edge in the meantime.

I have considered many stones, and am not sure what to get. I want the most maintenance free hone (one that does not need lapping all the time), and preferably one that does not need slurry either. I have looked at barbers hones, spyderco UF, naniwa 12k, and now am just looking for some opinions. 8k would be the lowest I would want to go, as I think I will benefit more from a "finishing" stone. If you suggest barber hone, can you tell me specifically which kind and where I can get it? Money is really of no object (stones last forever!), but I do want consistency- I don't want to purchase 2-3 barbers hones in order to find the one with the "best" grit or qualities.

Thanks!

JMP....I have a Swaty "3-Line" barber hone that has served me well for years.

You can use it with water, lather, or honing oil. Apart from an occasional scrubbing
it requires no maintenance. The size is about 2 inches x 6 inches.

Many barber hones are available from some SRP venders, and you can be confident
that you are getting a good one from them. Ebay is another source, but I have less
confidence in the quality there, unless you know the seller.

A few light strokes on the barber hone, as needed, followed by a few laps on a pasted
strop, and you should be good to go for a long time. And yes, it would be wise to get
the razor honed by a pro when the barber hone and the pasted strop are no longer
"getting it."

Good luck.

Paul

Weekly touch up's with Crox may do more harm than good. Continued use of pastes can result in a rolled edge. The Barber hone would be a good start, and are maintenance/slurry free.
I'd be more inclined to do a weekly touch up with a Barber hone, rather than crox. If you plan on sending your blade out for proper honing, when it needs it, you should be fine.
If you plan on doing it yourself, I'd recommend the Norton combo hone. 4/8k. It does require initial lapping, but it's a good, consistent hone.