Getting Back In The Game - New Hones

Hey all,

I used to be an active member on here a while back, but ended up getting rid of all my stuff for various reasons. Regardless, I have decided to get back in straight shaving! I have been shaving with a few vintage safety razors and have been getting good shaves, but I've missed a lot of aspect of straight shaving. The number one thing I missed: HONING and STONES!

Before when I started on my straight journey, I picked up a bunch of stones, got rid of some, tried some more, and a lot of trial and error. But now since I've been through the motions already, I'm going to start with a nice new set.

Firstly, I'll be picking up a Nakayama finisher from Alex. I'm going to keep my natural stones to 1 for a bit, as I learned that that all I really needed and I loved using a Japanese Natural the most.

Secondly, I was thinking of picking up a set of synthetic stones. I've used the Shapton Glass stones and the Nortons, but I think I want to give the Naniwa SuperStones a shot since I've hear nothing but great things about them. I was thinking of a 1k-5k-8k-12k progression (assuming I needed the bevel set) then moving onto the J-Nat. Does that sound reasonable? I have a worn out DMT D8C (325 grit), but I think I would need to get a new one that would actually work for lapping! I was thinking of the XC or the XXC since it's primary use would be lapping the Naniwas.

I think I'm also going to pick up a 2" horsehide strop from Tony Miller as I used to love the feel of stropping on that.

Anyways, I just thought I would post that I'm back in the game and my plan of action! I know what I liked and what worked best for me, so I'm starting fresh knowing exactly what to get. ;)

Oh, I forgot one thing though....razors! I will need to pick up a couple of razor, but that's secondary to hones :rofl2:

good to have you back dave sounds like you have a good plan in place. i use my dmt 325 for lapping all of my stones and coming off of a 12k to a natural finisher is great way to set up your finisher for success imo .

Welcome back Dave :tu

Dave, good to see ya back. the progression you are proposing would do ya fine, in fact great... I think you are going to find the Naniwa SS will feel much more like "Natural" stones then the Shaptons did (in fact didn't I snag up a 30k from you???) but they are not quite as easy to tell when you are "there" on each stone...

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Originally Posted by eleblu05

good to have you back dave sounds like you have a good plan in place. i use my dmt 325 for lapping all of my stones and coming off of a 12k to a natural finisher is great way to set up your finisher for success imo .

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I loved the DMT 325, great for lapping. I think I abused mine a bit though...:p hence why I'm considering a new one.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome back Dave :tu

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Thanks!

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Dave, good to see ya back. the progression you are proposing would do ya fine, in fact great... I think you are going to find the Naniwa SS will feel much more like "Natural" stones then the Shaptons did (in fact didn't I snag up a 30k from you???) but they are not quite as easy to tell when you are "there" on each stone...

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The feel of the Naniwas is what interests me the most. I got success out of the Shaptons, but wasn't a fan of the feel of them. And yes, you did snag the 30k from me! :D

Hey Dave welcome back into the hobby. Always great to have another Canadian around for us newer folks to learn from and pick your brain. If you did not see MAXI is organizing another Ontario meetup and I have to say the last one was a good time.

I have to say I am the opposite to you, honing is the one thing that has had me on the verge of selling everything and reverting to a DE. So with any luck maybe I can learn a thing or two from you and get the hang of it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...part-deux.html

Nice! Straight Razor Dave is back!

"WOOHOO!"

The Prodigal Son?

Welcome back, Dave.

Slaughter the prize lamb and let us have a feast, for he that has left has returned.

Thanks, guys! It's good to be back, I've missed it over here. :) I will look into the Toronto meet as well, I have moved and live in Toronto now!

Couple of thoughts:

The Naniwas are everything you've read about them.

IMHO, you would do well to consider something between 1K and 5K. I have a 2K which I love, but I understand the 3K serves as well.

The 12K is a wonderful finisher in its own right. Maybe as good (in my hands) as a Nakayama (I have three).

AFAIK Tony Miller is out of the strop business -- unless he's changed his mind. I agree with the choice, though. I have several hundred items in my shaving collection, and the three I will never part with are my brace of Le Grelot 1/4 grinds and my Tony Miller horsehide. (Ooops -- forgot the MWF).

Double ooops -- forgot the Naniwas.

Final thought -- welcome back!

Edit: Triple Oops -- I just checked his site, and Tony is back in the stop business! What a blessing to all of us.

So, a double welcome back!!!

Hey Dave,

I have nothing to add that hasn't been said already, other than it has indeed been a while. Not sure why you got out of the game, but such is life (c'est la vie, eh?). Welcome back!

Best regards,

Ryan

Thanks. :D

On the note of getting back in the game, I have this stone on it's way tomorrow to me from Alex! http://www.thejapanblade.com/images/toishi79.jpg

Welcome back Dave. Nice to have ya around again. I was wondering what happened to you and was hoping that you just were busy with life. Now that you're in Toronto you may be able to join us at one of the Rochester meets. I believe CarrieM is looking to have one this fall, before the snow flies.

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Originally Posted by Joed

Welcome back Dave. Nice to have ya around again. I was wondering what happened to you and was hoping that you just were busy with life. Now that you're in Toronto you may be able to join us at one of the Rochester meets. I believe CarrieM is looking to have one this fall, before the snow flies.

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Thank you. :) Although I moved, I'm not that far from where I was. Actually, I was about 30 minutes closer to NY before! But I would consider coming, thanks for the invite.