Thread: Beginner Set of Hones

With all the restorations I have lined up, I know that sending all of them out for shave readying is going to get expensive quickly! I'm not to the point yet (close), but when I am, where should I start looking hone-wise? I'd like a set that I wouldn't have to move out of very quickly, a set that would be "pretty good" for a while, except for adding/swapping a stone or two for a slightly better one just to satisfy my soon to be case of HAD. Thanks all.

Brian

For someone who is going to be doing a fair amount of honing, I normally recommend getting a Naniwa Chosera 1K for bevel setting, a Norton Combo 4K/8K and a Naniwa Super Stone 12K. This is a great set up and very consistent for someone just starting out. I would also recommend the Naniwa Super Stones 5K and 8K in lieu of the Norton or The Shapton 4K, 8K and 16K glass stones (These are a little more expensive). You can play around with either .5 diamond paste or spray or Chromium Oxide following the finishing stones as well.

Good Luck,

Lynn

Did anyone else see that? 13 minutes. 13 freaking minutes for two highly regarded member/owner to give suggestions. That's why I play in this sandbox!

Thank you guys. I am looking at SRD now. I might have to wait a little bit on the stones, or look into used stuff. You know, I told my wife that I'd save money by going to DE/SE/Straights. Bwahhhhaahahahahahaha!!!!

Ok, the progression Lynn advised; naniwa 1000, norton 4/8k, naniwa 12k will run about $237 on SRD. Definitely going to have to wait a little bit on that! That much money is a topic to be breached very carefully with the wife! Lol. On the plus side, I got all of my extra DEs sold and immediately bought a John Barber and a Frederick "the celebrated" with the money, so that worked out in my favor.

Lynn is giving you some good advice. If the whole enchilada is too big a bite start with the norton 4/8 combo and add to it as time goes on. Unless you're messing with chipped edges you can get by with the 4/8 to begin with. An 8k is the point where you should shave test to begin with to make sure your honing is up to par. An 8k edge will give a fine shave if the razor has been properly honed. If it doesn't give a fine shave at 8k there is no point in going to the 12k. The razor needs more work on the lower grits.

Well, my Shumate that is my next project won't pop arm hairs, but will shave one side down, but not the other way. I am going to try stropping and running it over Crox on balsa from Larry Andros over at whipped dog to see where it ends up. Can't mess it up too badly that way I don't think.

My Dubl duck that is done has to be sent off for sure as its slightly frowned The J Barber is getting done by a pro so I don't screw up a 175 year old blade. The Frederick will come with the bevel set on a 1000 dmt (I think), so it might be my first victim if I decide to go with honing my own......

Originally Posted by Lynn

For someone who is going to be doing a fair amount of honing, I normally recommend getting a Naniwa Chosera 1K for bevel setting, a Norton Combo 4K/8K and a Naniwa Super Stone 12K. This is a great set up and very consistent for someone just starting out. I would also recommend the Naniwa Super Stones 5K and 8K in lieu of the Norton or The Shapton 4K, 8K and 16K glass stones (These are a little more expensive).

What about putting a Norton 4k/8k combo stone and a Shapton 16k glass stone together? Any issues with that combination?

Can i say from a honing newbs perspective, that the guys on here are extrememly supportive. Maxi has been keeping an eye on my honing progress and he reccomended putting my Naniwa 12k away as well. I got a 220/1k and 4k/8k set couple of weeks back. He was right and so were the guys on here, if you can't get the shaving edge on the 8k then going to the 12k is short changing yourself.

After much perserverence and back and forth i finally got a shaving edge on my first resto last night.

Stick with it, it comes good

Originally Posted by SlowRain

What about putting a Norton 4k/8k combo stone and a Shapton 16k glass stone together? Any issues with that combination?

I've heard of quite a few guys doing this. Actually, I've set all of my barber stones to the side and I use my Shapton GS 16K as a barber stone...works very well. The main reason most of us recommend the Naniwa 12K is that it seems to be a bit more forgiving. As far as the finish, the Nani 12 and Shapton 16 feel pretty close to the same to my face.

If you develop a case of HAD you may actually save money by sending them all out to be honed. Naturals or a 30k hone is a quick way to empty a bank account.