Thread: Honing Virgin Needs Advice on Stones

Cheers Lynn!

I think what can be quite frustrating, in a sense, is that there are so many opinions on what's good and what works, and what one person finds to be a good method, someone else will do something totally different. As many great answers as one receives, one finds themselves having gone from 'what do I do—I have no clue?' to 'what do I do—so much choice?!'

So anyway, I checked my amazon order again and it says that the estimated delivery date for my Norton is 17th, so I probably still have a week to wait.

Also, while I can/could/should be able to/might choose to or might not use the the 8k as a decent finisher, I may also just buy that barber's hone anyway—it's not too much money and I might find it useful...I'm just trying to decide whether or not it would be money well spent...

I'm quite indecisive, generally...

In my opinion, not a bad choice. Many people maintain their razors with a barber hone. 5-6 light strokes usually does the trick. It also can be used after the 8K. You can also use paste or sprays after it to refine the edge a little further for comfort.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by PigHog

Cheers Lynn!

I think what can be quite frustrating, in a sense, is that there are so many opinions on what's good and what works, and what one person finds to be a good method, someone else will do something totally different. As many great answers as one receives, one finds themselves having gone from 'what do I do—I have no clue?' to 'what do I do—so much choice?!'

So anyway, I checked my amazon order again and it says that the estimated delivery date for my Norton is 17th, so I probably still have a week to wait.

Also, while I can/could/should be able to/might choose to or might not use the the 8k as a decent finisher, I may also just buy that barber's hone anyway—it's not too much money and I might find it useful...I'm just trying to decide whether or not it would be money well spent...

I'm quite indecisive, generally...

I have taken the advice of shooter, although I already had a norton 4/8 and a norton lap. I can hone fairly well with it but see no point in putting a shine on edge that is not perfect in the first place. Seems like waxing a car before you wash it real good..

Forgot to mention I had Glen hone one for me as I needed something to compare my skills to. Noticeable difference for sure and maybe I am ready for a finisher but I will wait. Pratice pratice pratice.

Originally Posted by PigHog

As I mentioned in my intro post, I'm looking to buy a couple of stones and learn to hone.

After receiving some great help, I've searched about and narrowed down my choices -- although a 1k/6k King stone was recommended, I'm considering getting a Norton 4k/8k from amazon because everyone generally seems to rave about it. Right choice or not?

Secondly, and more importantly, I'm stuck between a 12k-15k welsh slate hone, for about £20, of which there are a couple on eBay, or shelling out £70 for a 12k naniwa stone. That's a massive price difference. What differences will I see between the two; what am I better off with and why?

Cheers!

This is almost an expensive question...

The budget answer is abrasive film on a granite
tile or glass. The 15/5/0.3 micron set of film
that woodcraft sells will set the bevel and hone
a razor or two. The 0.3 micron result is sharp and
harsh so submicron bits on a strop are a win.

My general thoughts are to skip the coarse hones... Start with
a Norton 4k/8k or the 3k/8k naniwa combo.
Add a 12k naniwa hone to that if you want.
A lapping solution is a requirement... flat is good.

Setting a bevel needs to be done once but absolutely correct.
I think that sending a razor out to a pro is a better bet than
trying to go from coarse to 1k to 4k to 8k to +10k to finisher.
It took me way too many false attempts to get a good 8k edge
on a dull ebray edge.

Maintaining an edge with a 12k naniwa is very possible.
And a something+8k combo solves the slightly rolled edge.

I have a slightly different question - if I want to touch up a blade that had a factory edge on it (decent but is now starting to tug a little and get uncomfortable) and I want to tape the spine, does that require resetting the bevel or can I tape and go?

I know of no mfg (dovo, thiers-issard, boker, etc.) that provides a shaving edge on a razor, only the semi-custom's from Hart or customs come shave ready & not need the bevel properly set. I could be wrong, but this has been my experience.

Odd. Well it was definitely sold as shave ready (and shave it did) and it was all in it's original packaging, unopened until I opened it...

That's great!

Originally Posted by PigHog

I have a slightly different question - if I want to touch up a blade that had a factory edge on it (decent but is now starting to tug a little and get uncomfortable) and I want to tape the spine, does that require resetting the bevel or can I tape and go?

Give it a go and also use the magic marker test.

It is possible that with a layer of tape or two a barber hone or
a +8K hone will show that the taped bevel extends fully enough
to work.

40+ years ago I bought a razor and a coticule hone.
I used it "old school" barber hone style and gave the razor
five strokes with clear water each weekend. the hone dished
a little and the razor bevel moved to match. Life was good.

It can take weeks for a factory edge to evolve into a normal bevel
using a fine hone but once it does you are good to go for a long time.

If the first couple attempts find that the razor is too far from normal
send it out one time. After that one time you should be able to
maintain it with a 8K or one of the modern finer than 8k hones
with a deliberate weekend/ monthly touch up.

The magic marker test.... draw the marker over the edge and the
spine. Lay the razor on the hone and give it one smooth stroke
and inspect for ink under a bright light. If the hone wipes ink
clean all the way to the edge you are good to go. If there is a
thin line of ink the hone is not improving the edge. If the line
shrinks and shrinks eventually vanishing you are good to go.

So try it... if needed sent it out and request one or two layers of tape it that is what you want.

Originally Posted by PigHog

I have a slightly different question - if I want to touch up a blade that had a factory edge on it (decent but is now starting to tug a little and get uncomfortable) and I want to tape the spine, does that require resetting the bevel or can I tape and go?

Give it a go and also use the magic marker test.

It is possible that with a layer of tape or two a barber hone or
a +8K hone will show that the taped bevel extends fully enough
to work.

40+ years ago I bought a razor and a coticule hone.
I used it "old school" barber hone style and gave the razor
five strokes with clear water each weekend. the hone dished
a little and the razor bevel moved to match. Life was good.

It can take weeks for a factory edge to evolve into a normal bevel
using a fine hone but once it does you are good to go for a long time.

If the first couple attempts find that the razor is too far from normal
send it out one time. After that one time you should be able to
maintain it with a 8K or one of the modern finer than 8k hones
with a deliberate weekend/ monthly touch up.

The magic marker test.... draw the marker over the edge and the
spine. Lay the razor on the hone and give it one smooth stroke
and inspect for ink under a bright light. If the hone wipes ink
clean all the way to the edge you are good to go. If there is a
thin line of ink the hone is not improving the edge. If the line
shrinks and shrinks eventually vanishing you are good to go.

So try it... if needed sent it out and request one or two layers of tape it that is what you want.