Thread: What hones to purchase?

I was watching the world of straight razor shaving dvd and have some questions about which hones to purchase.

I am not resetting the bevel, just putting the edge back on a blade that will be dull from use (Lynn did the first hone on the blade).


Based on the video I think I need a fine grit stone. I was thinking about purchasing the 4000/8000 grit norton stone, the Belgium hone(yellow coticul I think it is called) or the 5000/8000/12000 Naniwa Value pack. However, I am unsure which specific stone(s) to purchase and want to ensure that I am purchasing what I need to accomplish my goal. I do not know if a simply barber stone will do or if I need the three stones.

I can see how having the three would be beneficial in the long term.


Any guidance would be appreciated.


Thank you

The wiki/Library has a lot of information including "What hones do I need?"

A 8k is a little low for just a touch up, a coticule, barber hone, or other finishing stone will do.

Edit: Forgot to add. A coticule may not be the best finish hone as some have had to try out many to find one they like.

Jonathan

Things change as people grow into the hobby

The Norton 4/8
The Naniwa 3/8
The Shapton 4/8

Or any other quality set like these will get you a great start..

Natural stones are also an option but require a bit more diligence in their purchase and use..


http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post750448

Their is a more up to date version of that Wiki article

Thanks for the link.

I will likely just get a 12k naniwa stone when the time comes as I just would be refreshing a dull blade.

Originally Posted by Swan

Thanks for the link.

I will likely just get a 12k naniwa stone when the time comes as I just would be refreshing a dull blade.

Good choice! You can follow up your 12k Nani later with either a set of Naniwas or a 4k/8k Norton when you feel the need to.

+1 to what Glen said.

On the Naniwa 12K, don't wait until the blade is dull or the 12K won't cut it as that stone is just for refining the edge. When the razor starts to pull, go 10x on the 12K & strop 100x...should take care of it. If not, do it again. If after the second or third time on the 12K the razor doesn't shave properly, then you may need the next "grit" stone down the line like 8K.

I really fell in love with a coticule/bbw...you might say it was a love at first sight! I really think that if you can simplify things, get proficient at honing, there is no better stone for that than the coticule/bbw combo stone. In fact, once I "got it," I regretted buying a the bunch of crap stones I bought early on.

I hope you dont consider Naniwa, Norton, or the Shapton GS's crap.

Every hone is crap if you don't learn to use them properly.

Originally Posted by cflaageriv

I really fell in love with a coticule/bbw...you might say it was a love at first sight! I really think that if you can simplify things, get proficient at honing, there is no better stone for that than the coticule/bbw combo stone. In fact, once I "got it," I regretted buying a the bunch of crap stones I bought early on.

+1 on this :-D since I got my coticule I realized I didn't need my Norton 4/8k or Shapton 16k as my coti does it all so I sold them and treated myself to a very nice new razor. I have a Naniwa Chosra 1k for bevel setting and the coticule, this gets me fantastic edges, for those how'd like to take the edge a little further a pasted strop etc would keen it up some more but I have sensitive skin so the mellow edge from the coti suits me just fine.

I'm not knocking the Nortons or Shaptons, there are many who really love them, for me I just didn't "get on" with them.

Hope this helps in your journey, it's very confusing at the start :-) Good luck.

Kind regards

Mark