Thread: 4 diferentes hones, 4 similar razors, 4 refreshments

Today I pick 4 of my rotation (three MK31 and one 32) Heljes of about same age in need of refreshment, and gave them 20 laps on 4 distinct natural stones (coticule/schwedenstein/novaculite translucent/China 12k). I'll just strop them before shaving, same technique for all 4.
I'll shave with them next wednesday/friday/sunday and thursday.
I'll post my impressions here. Let me see what happens.

20 laps doesn't seem like a lot for natural stones but I applaud what you are doing. I have done the same thing with a Guangxi, coticule, and translucent but I did just over 100 laps.

For me the translucent was head and shoulders above the other two in terms of keeness and smoothness and I liked the guangxi better than the coticule. Of course that was my razors, my stones, and my face. YMMV.

A long time ago there was a blind test involving a well known honer and a seven day set and a customer. It was interesting to say the least. It is hard to do a blind test by yourself though. I am curious as to how you will interpret it. It is a good idea.

Using different finishers will help you to learn what type of edge you prefer. Some like the butter smooth edge of a coti, some the super crisp edge a G20 or Shapton 16K can give, I'm in the middle liking a semi-crisp edge...however I just honed up a razor on my coticule that needed a little help & will shave with it here in a few minutes.

Originally Posted by RezDog

A long time ago there was a blind test involving a well known honer and a seven day set and a customer. It was interesting to say the least. It is hard to do a blind test by yourself though. I am curious as to how you will interpret it. It is a good idea.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...7-day-set.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...7-day-set.html



That was a ton of fun

Great idea! May not be original but I'm sure it will be beneficial to you in figuring out what you like best.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...7-day-set.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...7-day-set.html



That was a ton of fun

Glen I didn't feel like pulling a huge necro but did buddy ever post his thoughts on each razor you honed in his 7 day set? I was reading the thread when it ended abruptly and was never continued...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ving-test.html


Yes he did and did it with a flourish hehehe

I have results.
20 laps on translucent Arkansas did not retouched the razor's edge. Too little effort. It is, by far, my slowest stone.
20 laps on chineses 12k: better than trans Ark, but not perfect. I like the edge it raises. Pretty smooth.
20 laps on schwedenstein. The better resultado I have in this experimental. Razor brought to life again. Smooth. Great shave.
20 laps on coti. No slurry, just plain tap water. Nice edge. Not as good as schwedenstein, but a nice shave happened.
Let's see with 50 laps, next time.