Thread: newbie question!

If you are really only touching up a properly beveled razor, then you won't need the 4K side of the 4K/8K Norton. While you can shave reasonably well with the edge from an 8K Norton, my preference for touch-ups would be the Naniwa SS 12K. When that doesn't get the job done, then it's on to the Nortons. I personally don't use pastes and don't recommend them, especially for Newbies.

Originally Posted by ace

If you are really only touching up a properly beveled razor, then you won't need the 4K side of the 4K/8K Norton. While you can shave reasonably well with the edge from an 8K Norton, my preference for touch-ups would be the Naniwa SS 12K. When that doesn't get the job done, then it's on to the Nortons. I personally don't use pastes and don't recommend them, especially for Newbies.

FWIW --

I agree that a fine-grained "finishing stone" makes more sense than an 8K.

I _do_ use CrOxide paste, on a linen strop, sparingly. It works nicely, and I _would_ recommend it. [But I haven't got the depth of experience that others do.]

Another possibility is to get a fine-grained barber hone. They're all vintage, and grit size isn't an exact science with those puppies.

Charles