Thread: Simple, Effective, Cheap

Hello all,
I am seeking a hone, and I am unable to make sense of the myriad options out there. Could someone suggest a cheap, cost-effective option? I use a 5/8 Dovo, if that makes a difference. Is it possible to buy just one hone?

I really appreciate any guidance on this.

Cheers,
Paulson

You are correct, there is a myriad of options and alternatives. Which is right for you depends on what you want to do. There is a lot of good info in the SRP wiki on this theme.

Best of luck.

I use the same razor, you can use a one stone honing setup here are the pros and cons

Pros:
Only one stone
Less costly

Cons:
in order to use one stone honing it must be high in grit in order to make it shave ready,but that makes it slow in bevel setting(very less cost Slow)
Not simply learned.

Although I used it with success for a year with just a coti and slurry. If you do go that way watch glens one stone honing videos, they are very helpful and informative.
The naturals are not simple, not cheap but they are effective one stone honers.
I'd recommend a 4000/8000 combo norton or king there are cheap and they work. And they are easy to learn, and consistent. Then later if all works out you may want another stone to help where your having problems. Like a nice finisher or a dedicated bevel setter.

+1 with what Nathaniel just wrote...

My standard goto recommendation has been the same for a few years now because it is the easiest to learn and get info about, the Norton 4/8

The Naniwa 3/8 also and now the Coticule have quite a bit of help available too

Keep in mind any stone/hone that you can shave comfortably off of can be used but YOU have to learn how to use it... A lowly Barber's hone can do everything you ever need if all is right with the razor..

Check out this thread for the month of January I think it might be very revealing

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html


There should be an ever building wealth of knowledge there, showing success and failure and how both were achieved

Honestly it would be very hard to use just one. Not that it cant bt done but the ones who can are very experienced in honing. If your just learning it will be very frustrating. It the razor is shave ready the nanawa 3/8 combo stone would be great and keep you going. A few passes every month to maintain the edge. But if a bevel is needed you need a 1k. So of an 8 k then crox. Should be ok

Originally Posted by gssixgun

. . .
Keep in mind any stone/hone that you can shave comfortably off of can be used but YOU have to learn how to use it... A lowly Barber's hone can do everything you ever need if all is right with the razor. . .

Then why get something bigger and costlier? <g>

Barber hones are available used (none new), and -- as long as you keep your razor(s) sharp -- should do what you need.

When you find a vintage razor that needs honing, that's a whole other story.

. . Charles

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Then why get something bigger and costlier? <g>

Barber hones are available used (none new), and -- as long as you keep your razor(s) sharp -- should do what you need.

When you find a vintage razor that needs honing, that's a whole other story.

. . Charles

You answered your own question as did I, my "IF" was the "If all was right with the razor"..

Yours was "When you find a vintage razor that needs honing, that's a whole other story"

We tend to understand that it seems to be that many of us expand this into more of a hobby, then just a way to shave...

Getting the Norton 4/8 or the Naniwa 3/8 serves three purposes...

1. It easily maintains a shave ready edge
2. It is capable of during much more than just maintenance
3. It can become a center stone of an entire system should HAD strike