Thread: hones on the cheap

It is unwise to pay too much for a commodity, but even more unwise to pay too little. When you pay too little, you bear the cost of putting it right, which is more than you would have paid had you originally paid the right price.

What I am suggesting is that while there is a cheap way of doing things, it often pays to pay a little more initially. Know that if you buy lesser known stones, it will be harder for members here to advise should you run into problems, than had you bought stones that members here are familiar with, practices and procedures regarding their use being commonly known.

You do not need more than 6K, but most here if not all would strongly advise otherwise. A few years ago the last hone in the progressions of most was the Norton 8K. Now some go as high as 30K. I personally like to finish at around 12K.

This is right up my alley. Cheap. There's a gentleman out of Poland selling a very affordable 5,8 and 12 k set. They are lapped smooth and they work. Not the best set up i would guess, but it's quite adequate for my needs. I did add a cheap Norton 1-4k combo after a while, to set an easier bevel. I'm sure I will upgrade eventually, but for now I'm happy with my results. PS it's cheaper to buy his stones from the Polish ebay than the US ebay. I hope not to get stoned for suggesting this set, but they work quite well for my basic needs. But I'm sure there are much better hones available.

It's possible make a razor shave-ready with just a few slipstones that'll cost you less than $20, but the operative word here is 'possible'. If your time is worth any amount of money you'd probably be better off spending more towards bigger hones with established track record. Most people find out that while not rocket science, it takes quite a bit of practice to be able to perform the task correctly.
But yea, if you know what you're doing you can use any number of subpar tools if that's what you want to do.

If you want to hone a razor to good shaving edge, you will have to spend a bit of money and there is no way around it.
Start with 4/8k Norton and some CrO on a strop (bench or hanging). Then as you move forward and if needed you can get a 1k hone and 12k hone, at which point you can stop unless you develop a case of the HAD.

Originally Posted by Scipio

It is unwise to pay too much for a commodity, but even more unwise to pay too little. When you pay too little, you bear the cost of putting it right, which is more than you would have paid had you originally paid the right price.

I believe that is the best I have ever heard it put.

Pike, when I first started honing my razors I started out with just the Norton 4k/8k and had wonderful results. If you are honing a razor that started out shave ready there is really no need to buy more than a touch-up hone and the Norton does fit the bill.

if only maintenence is required try the classifieds for a barber hone

As said above, all depends on what your expecting to do...

To set a bevel from a damaged blade, you'll need 1k, or weeks of honing on a finer stone...

To finish, some seem to be ok with 6000 then pastes...

I personally finish on a coticule with water (approx 8k), then linen and then leather, i find it's right.

The positive point with a coticule is that with slurry, it has a progressive grit, that can start frome about 3000 with slurry, to reach 8000 with water, but dilution is less easy than using several stones... but with practice, it gets right.

IMO, I think a standard belgian yellow coticule can be enought for honing a non damaged blade or do maintenance with only one stone, it's a little linger than with several stone, but cheaper (you don't need a big one, somethin approx 6"*1" to 1,25" can be right (15cm*3cm). (approx 50€/something like 65 $) You can then get a coarser stone (1k) to start the job when setting the bevel is required.

Edit : and don't watch to find cheap cheap stuff : as said above, you may need to buy again after, you'll then lost money...

And remeber : if you buy a good stone or 2, they will last you years and years, not to say a lifetime...