Thread: Thoughts on some ebay hones?

I know it's generally a long shot buying hones on ebay without prior experience, but there are quite a few available from the same seller (on a buy it now), so it's fine if some of you guys take some... so I was wondering if you could advise me.

This is for a first set of hones - what do you think of these: NATURAL WELSH SLATE TRI HONE RAZOR SHARPENING STONE SET OF 3 HONES | eBay

I know I would need at least a 5k, and possibly a 1k hone, to supplement them, but as they are the stones could be useful (if reasonable quality), maybe just for keeping razors in good shape but not restoring them. (Apologies if I'm not making sense, my concussion-addled brain is particularly bad at the moment).

Thanks,
Andrew

Check out this thread...may give you an idea http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...huringian.html

Check out this thread:Testing melynllyn ,dragons tongue, slate,yellow lake stone.

I didn't read all the review on those Ebay hones, but I think I'd pass if I were you. Honestly, I'd get the Norton set. They're known quality. You get a 220k/1k and 4/8k with a lapping plate. Nortons are well known, and there's lot's of data on here if you get stuck, or have questions. Shaving off an 8k is more than acceptable, and recommended for new honers. Once you get the 8k down, and can shave comfortably off it, Then look into higher grit finishers. Hope this helps....

I have to agree with Zib. A number of individuals have had acceptable results with the tri-hone set you mention and other's have not. And the individuals who have tested them on the various sites are all reputable honer's.

As with any natural stone there's variances, some are great and some are duds. The Norton 4000k/8000k or any of the other reputable brands are a good bang for the buck for someone new to honing. There of known grit level and provide consistent results. You could even add a C12k to the mix as a finisher for a few extra bucks and have a good setup. But again some of the C12k's work great and some don't being as there natural stones, but the investment in the stone is alot less than other naturals.

By all means get the Norton 4/8K stone. The 8K side will give a good edge and the Norton is a great stone for a beginner because it's 3" wide. I would advice caution for a newbie in getting a Chinese 12K stone. They are hard to master for a beginner. I would recommend that a newbie hold off and save jup for a Naniwa 12K stone instead. Just use the Norton 4/8K to start, then decide on a finisher later, if even needed.

Buy stones from a reputable seller (non ebay) until you know exactally what you are doing,The generics such as Nortons, ebay may be fine but with the currant high off the wall prices stones fetch, ebayists have taken to calling stones bye classic names and most are not what the sellers claim.
Buy them here,Buy from the experts such as JNS,is alot of coin to be lost on 50 cent pieces of slate that comes in many colors.

Can you use a Norton 4/8K like a barber hone for touching up my razor every 20-30 shaves or would I need something like a 12K?

I am so new that honing hasn't been high on my priority list but after about 20-30 shaves in my razor could use a touch up.

You can certainly touch up a razor on the 4/8k Norton, and more. Here's another link that will have a ton of good info and help on the Nortons. http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html

Good Luck

Regards,

Howard

I was going to mention the Chinese 12k shown here: Natural Polishing Water Stone - Woodcraft.com
They're not really called "chinese 12k" and some guys have trouble finding them. It's slow, but a good hone none the less. Slurry will speed up the process. The 12k is a good touch up hone too....

If you can find an old Barber hone, they're great for touch up's as well.