Thread: Wanting to self hone

i bought a couple razors, one is mostly sharp and the other somewhat sharp. i have experience sharpening knives so i suppose i should be able to hone a razor, or am i fooling myself? anyway, i'd like to hone a razor, and i've tried to read through the FAQs but its just a mass of information. im supposed to pick a razor on my honing style which was taught to me by grandfather and uncle so i suppose traditional. if 8000 is fine grit, and that's about the finisher, what grit should i use to get a moderately sharp razor up to that level? all of these hones on this site seem to be out of my price range, where can i get a good quality low price hone, and any brand recommendations? if anybody has found a hone that would be somewhat forgiving, or a good combo, please point me in the right direction. thank you.

Have you shaved with these razors yet? A good idea is to get them honed by a pro if for no other reason then to know what a good edge feels like.

Welcome btw!

Honing is similar to sharpening a knife... It takes a lot of practice. The differences that I found is that while I like to sharpen knives freehand a razor has a built in guide, the spine, so a consistent angle is maintained at all times.

The only hone that I currently own and recommend is a Norton 4000/8000 combination hone. I have done some chip removal and bevel setting with the 4000k side, but it takes forever. The 8000k side will provide you with a nice edge to shave off of. There are some great videos of this Norton in use here at SRP. This is one that has helped me tremendously http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...ideo-lynn.html

I would suggest the same as earcutter and have one of them sharpened by a honemeister so that you have an edge that you can compare your own honing to.

Good luck,
Marc

i've been having trouble finding a razor sharpener in my area, and i'm afraid i'm a bit too impatient to send my razor away to someone else.

Norton waterstones are a love or hate kinda thing..I didnt like em..I use a DMT1200 Diamond Plate for bevel setting and a combo coti for sharpening and polishing..never been happier

Originally Posted by dbrennan

i've been having trouble finding a razor sharpener in my area, and i'm afraid i'm a bit too impatient to send my razor away to someone else.

I understand you there 100% BUT shaving with a straight isn't a race - it's a journey. A long journey that'll take you to all kinds of heights if you are patent enough. Know this from the offset, and your days of getting awesome shaves and pleasurable experiences will be compounded tenfold.

Hit up a reliable vendor for that first hone and be glad about it says I... It'll take a lot less time than ordering what you think you might need in a stone and then getting any good at it.

That's not meant to be harsh btw - I was like you and began honing quickly! I will never regret that, but knowing what I do now... perhaps learning to shave would have been a better focus for me - for anyone I think.

As for stones - there is a myriad to choose from. I personally like my Naniwa's today, but just about anything will do if you take the time to get good at it. Read a ton. Spend some time with your strop too! That'll pay HUGE dividends. Oh and don't forget pastes... I know - not helping!

Seriously - Read a ton, pick a system, and get good at it - then, and only then move on. But again take your time! Don't rush those things that give you pleasure LOL.

Have you shaved with a straight razor yet?

no i haven't, i picked up an old safety razor and a new pack of blades that works well but when i tried to shave with the supposedly sharp razors i didn't really seem to get anywhere.

Originally Posted by dbrennan

no i haven't, i picked up an old safety razor and a new pack of blades that works well but when i tried to shave with the supposedly sharp razors i didn't really seem to get anywhere.

Aha and there's the rub - you can't know yet what a shave ready blade feels like (absolutely no disrespect intended - we've all been where you are)
My suggestion would be that you get your razor honed by a professional, learn to lather, strop and shave with it for a few months and then (and only then) progress to honing.
If you are on a budget (aren't we all) start with a generic 1K (I've heard that King's are good and cheap) and a Norton 4/8 (or a Naniwa 3/8), get a good edge from the 8K and then go for a finisher (many and varied thoughts on this topic).
Perhaps you could do a search for the JaNorton thread and read it for some ideas and experiences from other members.
I wish you the very best on your journey and look forward to hearing how you go.

First Welcome to SRP BTW

Might I suggest that you go to your "Settings" and fill in the Location so that we know where in this big wide world you are at ...

You might well be surprised that somebody is quite close to you and can help out, that is after all what SRP was founded on, "Helping each other" succeed at this lost art..