Thread: Where to begin with Honing

I have started cleaning up and polishing razors that I find at antique stores. I just finished a Genco and about to start on a W&B. I would like to get into honing so I don't have to bother with sending them out or taking up local members on their offers even though I appreciate it I want to learn myself.

So what do I need to get without going overboard in terms of cost. I am generally not working with bad edges because that is something I avoid when purchasing razors. I would like to keep it as low as possible to start and then build up a better collection of stones. I have looked around and I haven't found a thread on what i should get as a beginner.

This link should provide some good info for you.
A bit down that page you'll find a reference to the Norton 4/8K combo water stone.
A very fine way to start in my opinion.
And if that's the way you decide to go, then check out the JaNorton thread.
It is a very useful resource for any honer.

This is from last year and the most recent version of the link in the wiki and there are now many more hones to add

Read posts #2 and #3 and look at what Birnando said above again


http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post750448

I started with a norton 4/8 during JaNorton and now have a few more

I read through the entire wiki twice and it did answer many questions for me but I am someone looking to take generally decent blades and bring them back to shave ready. I wasn't sure if a norton 4/8k would be all that I needed? Or if other stones or supplies would be needed as well.

If you do not need to rehone a blunt razor, a 4/8k really is all you need. A 1k stone might be handy for blunt razors, and a finishing stone can be used after the 8k - but the finishers quickly become expencive and really should be considered optional, at least until you know how to get the most from your 4/8k.

This is the JaNorton thread - it is rather long, but holds a lot of very useful information about the experiences people here had using nothing but the 4/8k for an entire month.

Best of luck.

I can offer an echo of what previous posters have said. I purchased the Norton combo set and have had really good results with it as a complete newbie. It seems to be a very friendly system. I'm a million miles from being a pro honemeister like those above, but I've been able to get very fine shaving edges; never a disappointment. The video instruction available on YouTube and Lynn's DVD is very helpful and highly recommended. All told, I'm into it for about $150, which is a pretty affordable start.

Cheers!

just my 2 cents: many W&B razors have a smile or are heavier grind, honing them is not for beginners.
good luck