If I were to buy just one hone...
Well, I'm still fairly new to using a straight but my razor is starting to pull a little and I'm looking for a hone to do touch ups on an already honed razor. I am not going to be doing any work on vintage razors or razors that are not shave ready so I don't need/want a set of multiple hones. I just want one hone that I can use to touch up the blade. Any suggestions? I need something not so expensive and I really don't think I need a 4k stone so norton 4/8 is really not needed. I was thinking 8k to 12k but not sure which is best for just touch up 8, 10, or 12k I was also wondering if im able to put .5 micron paste on the back of my strop the side that is bumpy, instead of buying another strop. But I'm not sure if this will damage the razor. I'm looking for cost effective ideas I have the 3 micron lapping film and it works good just want to have a better edge then what that gives me
thank you
If I were to buy just one hone...
If you are looking for the most economical way to keep an edge, then IMHO you should go with paste and strop like CrOx. However, eventually, you would need a stone.
I have gotten consistent on reviving edges, setting bevels is another story. On several occasions I had to take them to the 8k stone and had one that did not revived until I did some passes on the 4k and on to the progression of 8k and paste ( .5 diamond, and CrOx).
Any of the ideas suggested would work. Barbers hone, a 12k stone, 4/8 norton or paste. I believe in buying once, although its not always possible or foreseeable.
I would buy first a pasted strop, like the hard wool felt that SRD sells with .5 diamond spray. Try that first, and see how long you could go with that. Then later the 4/8 norton or similar system. Double O