Thread: newbie question!

Hi all, I need to buy a hone, I have two straight razors, one carbon steel one stainless steel, both Dovo, both sharpened by a honemeister, now both used regularly (20 shaves or so) and the edge feels worse for wear. I don't want to keep sending it away and want to maintain the edge myself.
What hone grit should i buy?
I only will be using it for razors in perfect condition honed by a honemeister previously, so no restoring or anything.
Grit and stone recommendations please!!
I only want to but one stone if possible.

Norton 4/8k. Problem solved.

Do you have strops and pastes? For every 20 shaves they don't usually need honing, some stropping will do the job. If you are still interested for a new hone be prepared to destroy a few razors. The norton 4/8 is the stone everybody has and is quite satisfied, a naniwa 12k or shapton 12k will also do the job, and many other naturals and synthetics. Also, barber hones. Good luck

Was in the same position you are and went with a Naniwa 3000/8000 combo stone. I also use a crox pasted balsa strop after the 8000. I have refreshed 6 of my razors following the instructions in the wiki here and not destroyed any of them, yes they all shave pretty well, not pro perfect but good enough. Two were blades I dulled that had been pro honed, one was factory new and the others were used vintage. The only reason I mention this is that I was a little put off trying to hone my own by dire warnings about ruining razors. I am sure it can be done and easily too but if you go slow take your time things should work out. You could even get an old practice razor just in case to try out first. Hope this helps.

Bob

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.

94Terp said it. 'Nuff said.

It's like asking what sort of football should I play. Aussie Rules Football. 'Nuff said.

The Norton 4K/8K is a perfectly good stone, but it is not ideal for touch-ups, the purpose the OP intends to use his stone for is:

"I only will be using it for razors in perfect condition honed by a honemeister previously, so no restoring or anything."

In the OP's case the Naniwa SS 12K is the cheapest and most relevant stone.

Originally Posted by ace

The Norton 4K/8K is a perfectly good stone, but it is not ideal for touch-ups, the purpose the OP intends to use his stone for is:

"I only will be using it for razors in perfect condition honed by a honemeister previously, so no restoring or anything."

In the OP's case the Naniwa SS 12K is the cheapest and most relevant stone.

Oh yeah, you're right! Missed that. The Shapton 16k is what I use for touchups...I do find I tend to take my razors back to the Norton 8 about every six months too. I guess that would depend on stropping, care, hair, etc. I've only ever had a Norton 4/8 and a Shapton 16k, and to be honest, can't see much of a reason to get anything else. It seems to me that those two hones are all I 'need'. Then again, I was also adamant I needed only three razors...

I spent hours two days ago getting two small chips out of a Microtome. I was using the 220 Norton and could only shudder when I imagined trying to do that with my Norton 1K. I don't think I would have outlived the chips if I had tried to get them out with my 4K. There is a stone for every purpose.

Initially you can easily get by with Norton 4k/8k as everyone is saying here. As a matter of fact, you would do well to master the 8k shave.

Go with the 4k/8k.....

Jerry
____