Thread: New to honing. Wish to freshen up shave ready razors

Why not start with a barbers hone and learn to maintain your blade first. Experimenting on your good blade may lead to disappointment. If I were to start learning it would be on something I can't hurt.

Can I restore a shave ready edge using only a shapton 12000 hone then if I wish to completely brim back any edge get a norton 4000 8000 later? Assuming I only buy shave ready razors I am trying to maximize my utility with 1 stone to start

Originally Posted by EntropyZero

Can I restore a shave ready edge using only a shapton 12000 hone then if I wish to completely brim back any edge get a norton 4000 8000 later? Assuming I only buy shave ready razors I am trying to maximize my utility with 1 stone to start

Unless you damage the edge, or get into restoring eBay specials, a 12-15k hone is all you'd need for at least a year, perhaps longer. My Norton combo has sat, untouched, since 2012.

In the event you do damage the edge, you'll likely need something lower, like a 1k, not a 4k/8k like the Norton.

as said , try starting out with a barbers hone and read all there is to using it , a quick and easy way to learn to maintain and edge. then branch out if you can keep one shaving like that , honing is something you might not need for ages unless you damage one ,, as your still very new , your a long way from being in the need of major honing tools if your razor is shave ready. most always want to put the cart before the horse , as you get into go for the hones and play , but learn to shave, strop and maintain first ,, then you be set ,, and also if you cant get a good smooth shave off of the 8k then your really honing incorrectly in the first place tc

You have asked what you need to maintain a shave ready edge. A barber hone is a good way to go but better edges can be had from the Naniwa 12k and the naniwa if used right can be reasonably versatile. You could use it like a barbers hone and a couple laps a week should keep you shaving indefinitely unsunless you damage the edge. Price to performance they are amazing bang for your buck.

Originally Posted by EntropyZero

What about a shapton m5 12000 grit

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002LW...XSL&ref=plSrch

M5 is household eqivalent of 12k Pro, called 15k for export.
Very fast aggressive stone . Needs light hand but gives nice edge after a few strokes on CrO strop.
Would not call it ideal edge for sensitive skin but no doubts about closeness for everybody else.

Im im looking for a blade for sensitive skin as that's a reason I started use a straight to start. Very confusing . I'd just like to maintain my edges and optimize them for sensitive skin. This is much more complicated than I was expecting! I appreciate all the suggestions and advice!

Originally Posted by onimaru55

M5 is household eqivalent of 12k Pro, called 15k for export.
Very fast aggressive stone . Needs light hand but gives nice edge after a few strokes on CrO strop.
Would not call it ideal edge for sensitive skin but no doubts about closeness for everybody else.

Originally Posted by EntropyZero

Im im looking for a blade for sensitive skin as that's a reason I started use a straight to start. Very confusing . I'd just like to maintain my edges and optimize them for sensitive skin. This is much more complicated than I was expecting! I appreciate all the suggestions and advice!

When I hone for sensitive skins I always finish on a superfine Jnat tho the Suehiro 20k can be good too. A coticule can give comfortable edges too but like Jnats the best can be elusive.

The degree of closeness you want can then be the deciding factor on choice but you can manipulate some comfort into an edge with pasted strop after 12k.

Unfortunately honing is subjective, to a point. Maintaining a shave ready edge is easily achieved with one stone, assuming you do no damage. If at all possible see if there is someone local to you who can show you the ropes and possibly a couple different edges with their finishers it will help you decide on which direction to go. My preference is the naniwa 12k. I have some what sensitive skin but ymmv.

Link to mentors: http://http://straightrazorpalace.com/showgroups.php