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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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+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

I was not implying anything...I was just simply trying to spread my opinion as to what method has been successful for me. As for the coticule, I own one for razors and another for knives. I also own a large BBW I use for my fillet knives. And being my paranoid/anal nature, fearing there will come a day that the Belgians will have stripped the mine bare, I bought a very nice coticule I keep in my safe to give to my son on a later birthday.

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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.

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agreed. a combo coticule may take one a BIT longer to dial in but in my opinion it's worth it. THe BBW side is a great cutter and no worries with slurry dulling. the yellow side can be used with just water to refine or touch up an edge with very little worry of overhoning. Learning to use slurry and dilute to a smooth buttery edge is a great way to learn how to hone AND shave.

They may work but I hate the norton 4/8 stones. Just don't like the feel or feedback at all. The coti's are beautiful too and that's nice.One combo coti and a slurry stone and you're in business

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Originally Posted by RogueRazor

agreed. a combo coticule may take one a BIT longer to dial in but in my opinion it's worth it. THe BBW side is a great cutter and no worries with slurry dulling. the yellow side can be used with just water to refine or touch up an edge with very little worry of overhoning. Learning to use slurry and dilute to a smooth buttery edge is a great way to learn how to hone AND shave.

They may work but I hate the norton 4/8 stones. Just don't like the feel or feedback at all. The coti's are beautiful too and that's nice.One combo coti and a slurry stone and you're in business

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That last line say it all. When you take the time and learn the ins and outs as to how a coticule optimally performs, you will never go back. After all, it's only natural!!

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Originally Posted by cflaageriv

That last line say it all. When you take the time and learn the ins and outs as to how a coticule optimally performs, you will never go back. After all, it's only natural!!

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+1 on this, once you know your stone and she give you as much as you gave her there's no looking back :-)

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

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

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Actually I was going to recommend a Shapton 16k, which is why I 'liked' this (I found it funny)...

Seriously, I like my Shapton 16k for touch ups, but the only other hone I've used is a Norton 4/8, so I don't have experience with other hones...:o

Oh, just a sec, I though you were saying they were all crap! Sorry, I didn't read that right. Now I feel like an idiot. I could delete my other post, but you would have already ready it, which would mean the need to PM, or even email you, or phone you; or maybe we'd need to talk about it over lunch. Gets a bit complicated...

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Oh, just a sec, I though you were saying they were all crap! Sorry, I didn't read that right. Now I feel like an idiot. I could delete my other post, but you would have already ready it, which would mean the need to PM, or even email you, or phone you; or maybe we'd need to talk about it over lunch. Gets a bit complicated...

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I use my shapton gs 16K more in the bathroom than anywhere since I quit honing for others. You can keep a razor's edge dialed in pretty much "forever"...

I will never recommend naturals to a person learning to hone as every natural hone has a personality of it's own.

Synthetics are just the opposite, they are all the same & you can receive valid advice from around the world from anyone who knows the stones you are using.

If I were to come to your house and use your Naniwa, Norton, or Shapton GS's, they would hone just like mine. I couldn't say that about any natural that is not a finisher, however lot of finishers that have crossed my hands can be close to one another.

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

...If I were to come to your house and use your Naniwa, Norton, or Shapton GS's, they would hone just like mine. I couldn't say that about any natural that is not a finisher, however lot of finishers that have crossed my hands can be close to one another.

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You'll have to give me some warning so I can tidy up first and lock the dogs up...

I have a lot of learning to do in the world of honing. To date I've used Norton 4/8K and Naniwa 12K exclusively and have had great luck with the Naniwa for touch up and finishing. My experience with the Norton is less stellar and I'm sure the recipe would be more practice. However, I've taken the road more travelled and ordered a set of Shaptons: 4/8/16 to see how that goes for me. I'm not even close to giving up yet on this honing adventure.

That's my go to stones, you will like them...just don't get rid of the others yet...

Carl...the dogs stay, no need to coop them up.

Well...the Shaptons came yesterday. Man, SRD has great shipping! Anyway, I lapped them and then honed up 3 razors that were not exactly dragging yet but weren't exactly sharp. I've done this before with the Naniwa and have been pleased.

So, maybe overkill: 5 on the Shapton 4K,20 on the 8K and 40 on the 16K followed by 25/60 on my Kanayama. I shaved with one of them after that -- would've shaved with all 3 but my beard doesn't grow fast enough to make that worthwhile. Great shave! So far, so good. And, I like the stones. Good feel. I appreciate not having to soak the 4K Norton tho that's not a huge issue.

I would try half that on the 16k. When you are on the 16K you will notice at some point (average for me is somewhere between 10&15) the blade will start to "pull" on the stone. I normally go about 3-4x SUPER light (literally the weight of the blade) strokes after that & stop. You can overhone on the 16K easily, so use caution and with the GS's remember: Less is more.

Enjoy those stones!

Yeah, I agree, I don't have any other Shaptons other than the 16. I use the 16 for touching up only, and that means 10 laps on average every 8 - 12 weeks...

Shooter74743 has it. Don't wait until it's dull to use the 12K. The naniwas are what I use. A little time, practice and patience will get you there.

Steve

Once honed up to my liking, I retouch my edges every five to ten shaves on a coticule, thirty laps on clear water. It does the trick for me.