Thread: First time honing

Hi gents,

I just wanted to share my first time honing experience. I've been SR shaving for about 2 yrs now, and have until this point used a leather/linen strop to maintain the edge on my razors. I'd send them to get honed about once a year if the stropping wasn't doing the job. A few months ago I bought a used carbo barber's hone and have used it several times, with good effect.

I read up on all the different types of hones and settled on the Norton 4K/8K, as it covered my needs and was affordable. I bought a DMT 325 grit lapping hone and a stone holder (to prevent sliding). I soaked the Norton until the bubbles disappeared (20 mins) and got to work with a Swedish blade that's been out of rotation for a while.

I was very apprehensive at first as I didn't quite know what to expect, but the guides and how-tos on here provided me with enough positive feedback to keep going. I saw the leading edge push a ripple of water with each stroke, and kept the razor pretty much flat (the spine only slightly above the stone). I used the pyramid method and then stropped on linen/leather.

The razor didn't pass the HHT as easily as I've seen in videos, and didn't pass the AHT at all. I stropped again and then decided to go with a shave. And the results...


were amazing. It was an incredible shave, which leads me to believe I'm not doing the HHT or AHT correctly. So, thank you to all those who've posted in the past (esp with pics and video) on how to hone, and any suggestions on the HHT or AHT would be welcome.

Originally Posted by drawkward

I saw the leading edge push a ripple of water with each stroke, and kept the razor pretty much flat (the spine only slightly above the stone). .

Put the spine right on the stone or tape it and do the same, and I bet you get even better results, if you got it to shave with holding the spine off the stone you sure have an even steady stroke So the rest of the way should be very easy for you

will do; i realized only after i got home from the hardware store that i had forgotten to purchase electrical tape.

my work requires delicate movement and steady hands, so i think i've got an advantage on having an even and steady stroke!

I will say that I love my norton 4/8. I had put off purchasing one for the last year, finally I pulled the trigger. My King stones 800/4k, 6k, and 8k are now a paper weights as my chosera 1k and norton 4/8 deliver in a big way. Good luck on your journey!

I have heard of some old timers holding the razor's spine off the stone to hone razors. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Originally Posted by drawkward

will do; i realized only after i got home from the hardware store that i had forgotten to purchase electrical tape.

my work requires delicate movement and steady hands, so i think i've got an advantage on having an even and steady stroke!

Brain Surgeon? Nitro Glycerin packager? Great job and keep up the good work.

Originally Posted by coachschaller

Brain Surgeon? Nitro Glycerin packager? Great job and keep up the good work.

ha ha no....cake decorator!

Originally Posted by drawkward

ha ha no....cake decorator!

Even more impressive!!!! Brain surgeons bury their mistakes and nitro glycerin packagers - well if at first you don't succeed this is not the job for you. Cake decorators have to deal with soccer moms and bridezillas.

I agree about the Norton 4/8K stone. That one stone is all you'll need. It's wide and therefore easy for a newbie to master. Just go slow across the stone and make sure the blade is level. The 8K side will give you a great edge. After you master it, try a Naniwa 12K. It is a s-m-o-o-t-h edge. Don't worry about the Nani until later. Just get the Norton for now, you'll wonder why you haven't gotten it already.