Purple Welsh hones

Hi guys,

I used a straight razor for a year or so a number of years ago. I eventually switched to a double edge razor and shaved daily with it for a long time. I could muster good shaves out of a double edge, but never as good as my best straight shave.

Fast forward 4 years and i again return to the straight razor. Being on a limited budget, i end up aqquiring a W&B 1/4 hollow, and a Wester Bros half hollow. I shaved with these, and realized the edge was close, but not quite keen. I pick up a Purple Welsh hone and go to work on the Wester razor. I use slurry, then water making over 100 strokes. Test shave comes around, and i end up clean, but really sore.

I confer with a honemeister here, and we conclude that the hone could be the culprit.

I have sent these razors off for a honing, but in the future would like to maintain the cutting edge myself. I now have a crox balsa strop and a purple welsh hone, but i dont know where to go next. Ive heard diamond plates and lapping film mentioned, but also that Nortons QA has suffered.

Basically looking for suggestions.

Welcome back Matt I remember seeing your posts in the past :)

I read your post and a few things just didn't make sense ???

The Purple Welsh is a finisher at least in the sense that it improves a Norton 8k edge

The Norton is still the most popular hone on SRP the only difference is that the 4k might need a bit more lapping to get right.

You conferred with a "Honemiester" you both decided that the edge wasn't there yet he didn't correct the edge for you ???



Here is my opinion from afar without touching or even seeing the razor

The bevel was not set, and the Welsh Slate just could not push it over the edge (pun intended) so you ended up with an uneven edge with parts that were sharp enough to shave and others that are rough and scraping and pulling...

You can without a doubt use the one stone honing method using the Welsh Slates either Green or Purple (I have done it several times) but the bevel has to be well and solidly set first..

Thanks Gsixgun. Yes the razor was corrected by a member here, I havent received it yet but have talked about it with the person who honed it.

He confirmed that the razor was close, but not keen. That makes sense about the bevel not being properly set, I think i should buy a practice razor, and start from scratch.

The Norton stil seems like the best deal, although i just started reading about lapping film and that is peaking my curiosity a little as well.

As always, thanks for the help. Lots of good information and helpful people here!

Either the Norton 4/8 or the Naniwa Super Stone 3/8 either one will do, I like most of the older members started with the Norton, but honestly if I had the option back then of the Naniwa SS I probably would have gone there.. I just like the feel of the 3k better then the 4k Norton the 8k's are very similar... Either one will get you there :)

We did a huge thread last year in Jan called JaNorton where many of us went an entire month of working just the 4/8 it was pretty fun and has a ton of good info in there

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html

Here are two other threads that will probably help with getting your SR brain cells firing again too :)

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-1k-shave.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...bing-over.html

Good stuff Gsixgun, thanks. I am on page 15 of the norton thread, going to peruse the others tonight.