Think I'm gonna give honing a try but I don't wanna destroy a good razor learning any recomendations?? Is the norton 4000,8000 a good stone to learn on I don't wanna spend a lot of cash on this stuff if I never get the nack
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Think I'm gonna give honing a try but I don't wanna destroy a good razor learning any recomendations?? Is the norton 4000,8000 a good stone to learn on I don't wanna spend a lot of cash on this stuff if I never get the nack
Well it's not that hard to hone, but a practice razor isn't a bad idea. I would look for a good 4/8 razor. Why? Cuz they are cheap, and are still good quality shavers. Buying a piece of junk doesn't pay because the only real way to test your hone is to use the blade.
Buy a cheap blade that you aren't too invested in. But don't buy a piece of junk as you'll never know if you did it right.
Good luck!!
Yes, the norton 4/8 is a good stone to learn on. It is quite consistent and capable of turning out shave-ready edges. If you can get shave edges off that you can hold your head up anywhere as a capable honer, IMO. Besides that, there are a lot of very informative threads on using the Norton so you will be very well resourced in your journey.
As far as a razor to learn on, I would suggest a decent razor but not massively expensive. A low end Dovo, for example. You want something that will actually take an edge, and IMO you also want something you care about not messing up - it will prevent you being sloppy and will keep the mind focussed on the task.
I am not a proponent of using "junk" razors as learning tools - to me doing so removes that "care factor" that all careful honers possess. I know that may set me apart from the accepted ideas about learning to hone, but if you care as you learn, you will learn to care.
Good luck!
James.
Copper, you won't get anyone telling you differently about the Norton 4/8. I actually bought one 'cause I'd never used the 8k norton and wanted to know how it worked so I could tell guy just learning to hone. No wonder its a much-loved rock.
On razors, I'm like Jimbo and Earcutter. I find the 4/8 size harder for my size XL hands to hold comfortably, and the larger sizes easier to keep flat. Most guy think any old fleabag from the bay or antique store will do. Although my saying this this will be ignored, stay far away from those razors for now. Unless you get really lucky, the state of the bevel and spine will make it much harder to learn what a normal stroke is supposed to feel like. Its an art of learning to assess minute inputs in feel while you hone. It takes time. If you keep a professionally honed razor on hand to compare your work to - you always have something to shave with, and a way to assess your progress. I and countless others have done likewise. I can say the Glen's 30k shapton edge is SHARP.
In terms of ease to learn with, the 6/8 size was easiest for me to keep flat. The edge should be straight - no smile. If it has a frown, send it out for professional restoration and honing and then try to hone it. Hollow or extra-hollow will respond quickly to the stones. When you reliably get a comfortable shave from an 8k finish - either try other sizes and grinds or maybe a higher grit finisher. The Nani 12k is ALOT of bang for the buck at about $80.
If you are easily discouraged when you don't get instant success, honing is not for you. It takes time to learn what 'no pressure' really means. Keep posting questions here & its virtually certain you'll get it and have a Wow experience that comes from shaving with your own edges and really liking it. Best of luck.
Where would I be able to find a razor to learn to hone on people tell me to stay away from eBay???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Airportcopper
You might want to consider or give this a try, Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving EquipmentQuote:
Originally Posted by Airportcopper
There are a few razors on the classifieds here that are cheap from time to time. That's where I would start.
Cheapest one I can find right now is $49.00 - but it looks like it might be a great little shaver too! Reduced Wester Bros Manganese - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Antique stores, Ebay, Dovo website, Boker website, other SR sites online, the classifiedds here. Whippeddog razors are already shave ready...I wouldn't pay that much if I was going to ruin his hone job as soon as I got it. There are TONS of good looking, and easily honeable razors at antique stores for ten dollars-ish. They aren't super collectible usually, but so long as the geometry of the grind is in good shape, and the blades not rusted, that's the option I'd consider first. People tell you to stay away from Ebay if you don't know what you're doing. It's not that Ebay is inherently bad. It's that it is a market where anyone can list merchandise, and anyone can buy it. Uninformed buyer+uninformed seller=potential problems. Not all sellers are uninformed. But you are definitely new. So it'll be safer for you to buy a razor you can hold in your hand before you pay any money.
Gold Dollar razors are dirt cheap. I know they need the stabilizer ground down, but that's not a big job if you have a dremel.
Yeah but they are sooo hit or miss with respect to quality that it's near impossible to know if you honed it well or not as they may or may not shave to begin with. Not a blade "I" would practice on - YMMV.Quote:
Originally Posted by robellison01
Sorry i love that brand so i bought it.
I beat ya it will shave great.
razoremporium dot com has alot of cheap used straight razors to learn to hone on without bidding your A** of on ebay... send them a mail and ask to choose a good to practise on. yes norton set is a good set/stones but you might need 2 more stones (1 Stone that is 1000 or 2000 in case of bad edge and a higher then 8000 as finisher. (so a 10k/12k/13k/16k/30k will be good as finisher) and if you only buy the 4/8k stone from norton also get a lapping plate/stone or else its not even surfaces on the 4/8k. Havent bought 1 stone that is flat/even surface.that means you cant hone on a stone that comes directly from the company/store. also get yourself some electric tape for the spine.
Before you learn to hone a razor, can you already maintain a razor on a finishing stone or barber hone ?
If you don't have the skill to keep a razor shaving you don't have the hands to start one from scratch or even midway.
With honing I think it's best to start at the top & work your way down. Every mistake you make on a coarser medium = more steel removed. No big deal if you look at razors as being disposable but it's best to to buy a junker for your first bevel sets or edge restorations.
A 4/8" razor will be a little more difficult to hone ,strop & shave with for some people. Practicing on a razor you're happy to shave with is the easiest path.
I cann't disargee with getting ya stuff a good vintage peice of steel
the only reason it's dirt cheap is cause it's not the pertest.
But is able to hold a fine edge.
My only interest in gathering up more and more straight razors
is shaving with them.
But do treat them like they are precise steel.
The thing i always wonder should i edge them on the stones with
elerical tape or no tape. Cause when i don't use tape i do see the spin getting
marked up. is that cause i only putting presure on the blade. I use the stones with
just water though.
I too am learning how to hone, and I bought a few Gold Dollar razors to learn on. I have one GD that came shave-ready (and it actually shaves nice!) so I know that it's possible to get it there myself, so we'll see what happens...As China-made razors go, Gold Dollars quality doesn't seem to be too too bad actually...
Yea i heard they have gotten better as for as the quality.Quote:
Originally Posted by jpcwon
People used to have to throw out 50 percent of those blades they bought.
now heard it's down to 10 percent. a much better ratio.
people have said they heat treat them better. so for dirt cheap you get a blade to practice pining and un pining.
customize it. and to pratice engaving if some one fancy doing those things.
it's a good blade to go to town on with the dremel tool thing.