Thread: How often to hone?

As much as I love me a Barber's hone, I would go with the 12k. Here's why:


- In my experience, a barbers hone can range in grits. I have yet to find one in 15k! I hear they may exist, but I haven't found one. Either way, a 12k will leave no guesswork which is important as guesswork can drive a noob nuts. If its not polishing up on a 12, you've waited too long.

- You are going to start honing. Admit it . The 12k is simply the first stone in your collection.

Actually, one could argue that a 12k complemented by a 1k could give you an edge from the lowlyest of blades and is all you need. But I like my progressions.

In theory, you could also get a couple of diamond pastes and do the same thing. Get a linen strop and do a 1 micron and maybe a .25 or whatever you feel along with a sheet of balsa with some green crox. That would work too!! Maybe even better.?

I like my Barber's hone. Don't get me wrong. But I think things with real numbers really helps a noob and a system is a great place to start before experimenting. But that's me.

Start a thread asking guys how they maintain a blade. Right now I am using my nani finishing stone or my Chinese stone of unknown grit but widely believed to be 12k and my strops. Mostly my strops.

Good luck!!

That was a very good read! Interesting as well. How does everyone feel about balsa wood to put paste on?

Maybe trying different edges from different hones would expose you to what you like or dislike. Jnat, coti, Escher, synthetic, (there are others also)even lapping film. Once you've had a taste of all of them, you would know better which way you would want to go.

Been using only a strop with CrOx of late. Been working very well for me. I do rotate my razor every few days and have a few so that might be a factor.

Originally Posted by nwashaving

That was a very good read! Interesting as well. How does everyone feel about balsa wood to put paste on?

I haven't done diamond on balsa, but the green works great. Its soft enough to polish, but can be kept level. And if you break it... meh! Cheap. Of course that also means it doesn't "compliment" a den either lol!

Originally Posted by bill3152

Maybe trying different edges from different hones would expose you to what you like or dislike. Jnat, coti, Escher, synthetic, (there are others also)even lapping film. Once you've had a taste of all of them, you would know better which way you would want to go.

Variety is the spice of life!! I recommend it... But! You have to start somewhere and create a benchmark! Synthetics to some may not be as sexy as a natural - they aren't to me anyway, but they are a fantastic benchmark!! One you may never stray from lol!!

I can keep a pro honed Blade in perfect condition for at least two yrs using the 99.99% pure Crox I got from Glen on a leather Paddle.
10 blade rotation.

I use both a 12K Naniwa SS as well as a hard pressed wool felt treated with .5 micron diamond spray to keep edges fresh.

I could use the treated felt and be happy for years quite honestly.

Frank

+1 on that Bill, for getting my blades ready to shave I send them out to Glen and then my bench leather and the CRoX , I've been maintaining my 4 razors like this for 6 months , less money than a cheap stone , but I don't restore quantities like some of the rest ,, would like to be able to , but my situation ,, I let the pro do it Tc

Honing has a major allure to wanting to garner the great stones and learning the art,I went thru the entire gambit.
I learned how to hone my own blades after 4 yrs of working on it.
Do not enjoy doing it,Let the pros do it,JMO

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Honing has a major allure ...
Do not enjoy doing it...

whut? does not compute.

I love scrubbing away the metal that makes mine edges non-sharp. Just like the hell out of it.



until it doesn't go right!


but then i like shaping 4130 with a hand-file.