Honing newb: What should I buy?

**Rogier** · 03-19-2012, 09:11 PM

Hi everyone

I've been wetshaving for over a year now, but only about a month of actual straight shaving. I'm not about to get a hone soon, but I'd like to know what grit I should get. So far I'm attracted to a small coti, a Norton 4K/8K and a Naniwa 3K/8K.(Either one of them, not a combo.) I would like to own a coti(as I am Belgian), but I have very large hands and I think I would need a big coti(costing big money

). As for the Norton and Naniwa, I don't know whether 8K is fine enough to take the razor to the strop and then my face. Or should I put pastes to my Poor man's strop when I buy a strop that's a little more suiting?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

**nun2sharp** · 03-19-2012, 09:52 PM

If you get the 4/8 k you wont need the 3/8 k. Instead invest in a 1k stone for bevel setting and nick/chip removal. Its not the size of the coti, its how ya hone with it, you can always place the coti on a block of wood to raise it up from the table top, I do this all of the time.

**Omega1975** · 03-20-2012, 02:06 AM

Before you jump into honing make sure your stropping is up to par. In fact after only a month you should not need to hone if you have been maintaining your edge. I also sugest sending your razor out to a professional and ask them if they have any of the hones your interested in. That way tou get an idea of what you would ideally achieve. All that being said my first set of stones was the Naniwas . Used properly (like any) you can put a wicked sharp but buttery smooth edge on your razor. There easy to learn on and reasonably priced.
Hope this helps
-Ben

**bmilesmiles** · 03-20-2012, 02:29 AM

I have only been straight shaving for a couple months now so take my advice with a grain of salt. I have a 1k stone and the Norton 4/8k and that's it. I've been getting more than decent shaves off of them all along. (of course accompanied by stropping) If you have the money I would, like said before, get the 1k, 4/8k and perhaps a 12k finisher of some kind, skipping the 3/8k all together. Of course if you are short on cash you can look at the ja-norton thread and learn to get along bevel setting and all with just the 4/8k like in this video gssixgun honing for JaNorton 2012 1.wmv - YouTube

**Rogier** · 03-20-2012, 11:50 AM

Thanks all! I know the importance of stropping though, but thanks for reminding me. Also, I've got a friend on the forum who hones my Globusmen for me, so that's taken care of too.

I'm a little suprised by the dislike of the 3/8K. Ok, it's a little more expensive than the 4/8K, but I'm under the impression that Naniwa is a little more popular than Norton on the shaving forums. Is there a difference in quality or are grit numbers standardized in an unambiguous way? And please DO start a Naniwa/Norton war in this thread, but keep it polite! Ours is a gentlemen's board. However, I want all the pros and cons of each brand.

As for the 1K bevel setter, I think I'll get into that a little later. They're less expensive, but honing restoration razors is way further down the road!

**myersn024** · 03-20-2012, 01:00 PM

I don't think anyone was hating on the Nani 3/8. I think the reason everyone was saying that you don't need the 3/8 was because you mentioned the Norton 4/8 at the same time. Given that they're both in the same range, you don't need both... just one or the other.

**pinklather** · 03-20-2012, 04:15 PM

Where's that dang 'Thank You' button! (for Omega)

Rogier, one month of str8 shaving. The urge to be master of your edges rears its head. The urge is strong. Will you conquer it? Or start flailing on stones before you've really learned the shave? I flailed. 'Wish I hadn't. It held back my shaving skills from using sub-standard edges. This is not what you wanted to hear. You're excited, enthusiastic, want more of this great hobby. You're normal.
.
If you're like myself, and most others, you'll ignore the counsel to stay w/ pro quality edges and start flailing. I did too.

What I might suggest when the flailing monster devours you is to have at least two razors that are kept at pro quality edges. 'Doesn't have to be expensive razors, and it doesn't have to be costly for honing. There's lots of avenues to get pro honing for just the cost of postage and a bubble pack envelope.

You'll need at least a couple of sound razors (again, not expensive) to practice on and hone til they look like chopsticks. If you are devoured by the fleabay/antique store monsters. You'll learn about disappointment and frustration. Can you imagine how I know? Get a couple low cost straights, at least 9/16 tall, full hollow, with no smile (or frown), preferably from a member that calls it shave ready. This way you aren't trying to *restore* an edge and spine wear, thinking its honing. With a humble, shave-ready razor, you have this work already done, and avoid the heartburn. You give yourself a normal chance for success. In the mean time, you're shaving w/ your pro quality edges, and have a standard quality against which to judge your progress.

There's nothing wrong w/ the urge - it sure keeps us going, and a bit poorer for all the silver bullets we pursue. To give perspective on this monster, I can't think of a better thread than the honorable sixgunner:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...er-2011-a.html
Note he also recommends 6 mo. of quality edges - and that most ignore this.

If I can be of help w/ edges, I'm happy to help. I'm sure there are many others.

**Rogier** · 03-20-2012, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by myersn024

I don't think anyone was hating on the Nani 3/8. I think the reason everyone was saying that you don't need the 3/8 was because you mentioned the Norton 4/8 at the same time. Given that they're both in the same range, you don't need both... just one or the other.

Thanks, had not noticed that

**Rogier** · 03-20-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by pinklather

Where's that dang 'Thank You' button! (for Omega)

Rogier, one month of str8 shaving. The urge to be master of your edges rears its head. The urge is strong. Will you conquer it? Or start flailing on stones before you've really learned the shave? I flailed. 'Wish I hadn't. It held back my shaving skills from using sub-standard edges. This is not what you wanted to hear. You're excited, enthusiastic, want more of this great hobby. You're normal.
.
If you're like myself, and most others, you'll ignore the counsel to stay w/ pro quality edges and start flailing. I did too.

What I might suggest when the flailing monster devours you is to have at least two razors that are kept at pro quality edges. 'Doesn't have to be expensive razors, and it doesn't have to be costly for honing. There's lots of avenues to get pro honing for just the cost of postage and a bubble pack envelope.

You'll need at least a couple of sound razors (again, not expensive) to practice on and hone til they look like chopsticks. If you are devoured by the fleabay/antique store monsters. You'll learn about disappointment and frustration. Can you imagine how I know? Get a couple low cost straights, at least 9/16 tall, full hollow, with no smile (or frown), preferably from a member that calls it shave ready. This way you aren't trying to *restore* an edge and spine wear, thinking its honing. With a humble, shave-ready razor, you have this work already done, and avoid the heartburn. You give yourself a normal chance for success. In the mean time, you're shaving w/ your pro quality edges, and have a standard quality against which to judge your progress.

There's nothing wrong w/ the urge - it sure keeps us going, and a bit poorer for all the silver bullets we pursue. To give perspective on this monster, I can't think of a better thread than the honorable sixgunner:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...er-2011-a.html
Note he also recommends 6 mo. of quality edges - and that most ignore this.

If I can be of help w/ edges, I'm happy to help. I'm sure there are many others.

As I said before: I WILL supress the urge to hone untill I'm able to get a straight shave that matches my DE performance. I just want to know what price I should anticipate, so I can save up. I'm always very hesitant when I make big investments, so I make sure I take my time to evaluate all options. Thanks though for the tip to get a couple of practice razors, I didn't think of that. And it's important, because I've gone a little beserk on 1 specific rusty razor(7/8ish), it's now rustfree, but the spine isn't completely straight anymore

Any advice on that project?

Now back to topic: what do you prefer? Norton, naniwa or coti?

**gssixgun** · 03-20-2012, 09:08 PM

There is little difference between the Norton 4/8 and the Naniwa 3/8 either will do the job... I would buy which ever you can buy for less,,

The Coticule it sounds like you Want so find the best Select grade quality stone, and largest you can afford...

However after reading that you are restoring rustbuckets I think your money would be better invested in a 1k hone

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