New to honing, what should i start with?

Hello all.

Just got a bonus at work, so naturally i am going to blow it all on straight razor shaving supplies :)

I wanted to get into honing, mainly because i admire the skill, which is one of the reasons i like shaving with a straight in the first place. I am looking at straightrazoredesigns.com. the norton waterstone 3 piece set looks enticing, as it is fairly affordable, and my bonus can only go so far, ha. There also is a Naniwa superstone value set (5000, 8000, 12000) that looks reasonably priced as well. Any other suggestions for a newbie to honing?

I also have a swaty barber hone that i have used to touchups, and some chrom oxide and iron oxide on balsa wood that seems to keep my edge sharp as well, and your basic leather strop ofcourse.

thanks everyone, i continue to get awesome advice and tips from this site, makes my shaving much more enjoyable.

Well jg,
Spend a little time in the "Library" section, honing area and use the "Advanced" search feature above , entering key words. A lot is discussed on beginner set up.

That Naniwa set you mentioned is great, maybe add a Norton 220/1000. Then you are set for life. (until H.A.D. sets in)

If you go for the Naniwa set of 3, and they are great stones, and if that bonus can handle it, I'd add the Chosera 1k to the Naniwa's. It's fast, but also gives a remarkably smooth edge for a 1k and will require less work on the 5k removing the scratch pattern from the 1k. Good Luck!!

Regards,

Howard

I just got into honing after doing a lot of reading and getting confused by all the different opinions out there. After I filtered it all I came away thinking that all I would need to maintain my SRs was a combo stone and a Balsa strop with Crox. I went with a Naniwa 3000/8000 combo and I guess the Norton 4000/8000 would have done it too. So far I have refreshed the edges on 4 razors that I had picked up with that set up and they all came out well enough to shave with. Definitely not the greatest edges in the world but they shave and cause no discomfort. I will add a courser and finer stone later but I am beginning to believe what others on this site have said a bout being able to do a lot with just the one combo stone setup. Anyway that's what another beginner just did if that helps you out any.

Bob

personally...DMT1200 diamond plate..easier bevel setting...then a coticule..very versatile stone..assuming its a hard one..you could try Norton stones..I didnt like em..though you might..YMMV

Before you buy all sorts of stuff ask yourself: what am I gonna do with those hones? If you have a shave ready razor that needs touch-ups a coticule, Swaty or 12K will do. For bevel setting you will need more and coarser hones.

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

Here is a good thread to read it might help some

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

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

Here is a good thread to read it might help some

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There is no better advice. Glen can hone the tip of his tongue sharp enough to trim his eyebrows.:rock:

I have gone through a few hones and have found that A King 1000 grit (for bevel setting), a 4000 Shapton, and 8000 Shapton, with a finishing Coticle stone works the best (and fastest) for me... But hones are like razors, everyone has a favorite technique and brand that they use.

boy, this is confusing, hah. thanks for all the replies, i have a feeling i could spend a boat load of money on hones! Shapton's are a little out of my price range i think. While I do like to buy quality things, i have my budfet and the wrath of my wife to consider. I am considering the following "sets"

1) Naniwa 5000/8000/12000 set and Naniwa 1000, DMT 325 for flattening stones (SRD price 253.97)
2) Naniwa 1000, Naniwa 3000/8000 combo stone, Naniwa 12000 (SRD price 241.96)
3) Norton 3 piece set (220/1000, 4000/8000), Naniwa 12000 (SRD 206.98)

With the norton 3piece set it is lacking the high grit finishing stone and with the Naniwa set, it is lacking a lower bevel setter, so either set needs an addition to make it complete.

If i Went with option 3 ill the Norton Lapping stone be sufficient for lapping the high grit Naniwa 12000?

Thanks for the help. Which of those three options sounds the best?

James

First of all, where are you from? If you lived around me, I would say to come over and try out a few stones.

I have owned the entire sets of Naniwa, Norton, and Shapton GS's & you can't go wrong with any of them. For beginners I would say one, I repeat one stone first. Learn to maintain your razors first on either a Naniwa 3/8 or Norton 4/8 combination stone, later followed by a Naniwa 12K. After you can maintain your razors without question (if you are in question, send one to a veteran shaver to test shave) then get into bevel setting those auction/flea market/antique store razors I am sure you have already started to accumulate.

To directly answer your question of which of the three, throw a dart as they are all good, neither is "better" than the other. You will be able to find more information on the Norton's...but you will not go wrong with any of your choices...but no matter you will need to lap the stones "skin" off. 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper or DMT will handle this job just fine.

As far as lapping the N12K, once you have lapped the skin off it, you will not have to really "lap" it again as you will not use it all that much. So, yes, the DMT8C is just fine for the N12K.

set #1 and your good to go on any razor in any condition !

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

First of all, where are you from? If you lived around me, I would say to come over and try out a few stones.

I have owned the entire sets of Naniwa, Norton, and Shapton GS's & you can't go wrong with any of them. For beginners I would say one, I repeat one stone first. Learn to maintain your razors first on either a Naniwa 3/8 or Norton 4/8 combination stone, later followed by a Naniwa 12K. After you can maintain your razors without question (if you are in question, send one to a veteran shaver to test shave) then get into bevel setting those auction/flea market/antique store razors I am sure you have already started to accumulate.

To directly answer your question of which of the three, throw a dart as they are all good, neither is "better" than the other. You will be able to find more information on the Norton's...but you will not go wrong with any of your choices...but no matter you will need to lap the stones "skin" off. 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper or DMT will handle this job just fine.

As far as lapping the N12K, once you have lapped the skin off it, you will not have to really "lap" it again as you will not use it all that much. So, yes, the DMT8C is just fine for the N12K.

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thanks for this reply, a few clarifying questions:

if i never plan on restoring a razor, and will only need to maintain razors that have already been shave ready, i dont need a 1000 grit stone, is that correct?

also, why dont i need a 12k stone right away? wouldnt a 12k give the razor the sharpest/best edge possible?

If i did decided to go with the Naniwa Set of 5000/8000/12000 right away, would that be enough to hone a razor? or is the 5000 starting out too high of a grit.

Last question, i promise, if i wanted to lap the stones with 400 grit sand paper, how would i do that?

Thanks alot!

Also i live in chicago, looks like you are texas, little to far to come check out your stones :)

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Originally Posted by jgrunst

thanks for this reply, a few clarifying questions:

if i never plan on restoring a razor, and will only need to maintain razors that have already been shave ready, i dont need a 1000 grit stone, is that correct?
yes, correct for the most part

also, why dont i need a 12k stone right away? wouldnt a 12k give the razor the sharpest/best edge possible? no. the sharpness comes from the lower grits that a 3-4 can take care of. If you can't get a good shave off a 8K stone, you need more work. Once you get the 3/8 or 4/8k mastered, yes add the 12K. A 12K only adds smoothness to a shave as you are polishing it, not sharpening it.

If i did decided to go with the Naniwa Set of 5000/8000/12000 right away, would that be enough to hone a razor? or is the 5000 starting out too high of a grit.I still recommend a 3/8 Naniwa or 4/8 Norton for your first stone, they would be all you need...but of course there are the wants. IF you were my student to learn honing you would get a Norton 4/8K and a dmt8c...that's it.

Last question, i promise, if i wanted to lap the stones with 400 grit sand paper, how would i do that?pick up a 12x12 marble or granite tile at a place like home depot. Spray water on it, and lay the full sheet of sandpaper on it. The water will form a cohesive bond between the paper and tile & it won't slide while you are doing figure 8's

Thanks alot!

Also i live in chicago, looks like you are texas, little to far to come check out your stones :)

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Hope this helps...

Add your location, it will help others to help you...

You got "suckered" in a good way my friend, you picked up some good gear. You shouldn't need the Nani for a while if the bought that Boker from SRD as Lynn will hone it up for you. That 8K is butter smooth and you should learn to produce quality shaving edges off it just fine. Your Swaty more than likely will not improve the edge off the Naniwa 8K, I would use it for what it is intended for...touching up razors. Actually, if you touch up a razor off it, you might give it a few strokes on your new 8K. Last thing is that you will need to lap your stones well the first time.
Happy shaving...
Scott