Thread: Simple honing supplies

I am interested in refreshing an edge. I've not abused my razor. Just needs to be refreshed. I watched the DVD and there is so much info covered that I cannot figure out where to begin.

Is there just a couple stones that will allow me to freshen my razors edge?

Assuming you have a strop there are many stones that will refresh an edge. The norton 4/8 with a 12k or so finisher is very versatile and about all you would need to maintain a razor. Chromium Oxide on a piece of balsa wood or linen strop can also be used to refresh a razor, but will eventually have to go to the stones. The C12k is a cheap option as a refresher.

I see the 4000/8000 Norton water stone, but what are you referring to with the "C12K"?

or you could just get a barber hone.

I 2x the idea of a nice hand held Barber's Hone. Watch the eBay prices as they can have very wide swings. The best I've found is a little Keen Kutter. Use it all the time. If you like you can use a generic slurry stone on it too.

I'd just stick with the Norton 4/8. If you can't get a smooth, comfortable edge off of the 8k, going to a higher grit hone won't help at all.

Barber hone. They were specifically made to freshen an edge. Paste on leather, felt, other reasonably flat material... all will work. Most finer grit hones will also work.

EDIT:
Here's some of the barber hones that I like the best.:

• Swaty
• No. 00 Frictionite combination hone
• The Carborundum Co. razor hones (the finer ones)
• Dubl Duck combination hones
• Apart
• Itsapeech
• C-Mon combination hone
• Lithide

There are many other barber hones that I haven't tried yet; that probably work just as well or better.

Sticky:
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I thank you for your input on barber hones as I'm looking for one right now.

barber hones do work very well...but a norton 4/8k combo is a great stone to own. I personally would go with that before aa barber hone.

Originally Posted by joecool911

I see the 4000/8000 Norton water stone, but what are you referring to with the "C12K"?

It's a Chinese waterstone, often referred to as a PHIG (Peoples Hone of Indeterminate Grit).
I have one and it works fine as a finisher.
Glen (gssixgun) does a 'One Stone Honing' video using this one.
Do a search on YouTube and you'll find it