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

So I took the plunge and bought a vintage shave ready boker per the general advice. I've really enjoy using it and I feel like I'm on the home-free side of the learning curve. I am in the process of acquiring a 3 inch english bridle strop (an upgrade from my cheapie synthetic leather strop) I already have an interest in honing however I don't know where to start. Since I am already using a shave ready blade I probably can get away with a minimal amount of stones. Will the norton combo 4k 8k work? Or should I buy a finer grit stone to refreshen my blades?

Well there are many answers to that question. I'll would choose a coticule everyday, but since you are new to honing and just needs a refresh go for a 10 or 12k synthetic hone. Naniwa 12k are a bit expensive but are easy to use and fast.

What about a shapton m5 12000 grit

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

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.

You will get many different answers to your question. There really isn't a right one. It just comes down to the type of honed edge that provides the most comfortable shaving experience. I'm a Shapton guy, I would recommend the 8K or 16K synthetic stone.

Can I get away with the norton combo 4000 to 8000? I was under the impression most home past 8k

Lots of shavers never go past the 8K stone an are very happy with the comfort level of their shaves.