Thread: Minimum kit for honing SRs

Originally Posted by strangedata

So now I have a Norton 4K/8k and a Shapton 12K(15k) on my way, with two shave-ready razors for practicing and also a Dovo Bismarck that should have been shave-ready, but in reality tugged a lot.

I thought I could use the 8K side on the Norton and the Shapton 12K to fix its edge, and just the Shapton 12K to refresh the two shave-ready razors.

So you're saying that, at least for now, I sound refresh their edge just on the 8K?
Depends how they were finished. 12k may be a good starting point if just refreshing.

What about the Dovo, should I go first to the 4K? Or to the King Deluxe 1K? (After learning with the practice razors, of course).
I couldn't say without seeing it but here is where you need to establish your own visual & kinaesthetic tests to assess edges pre honing.
Just bear in mind that the 12k Shapton is a very fast cutter.

Oh, speaking of the King hone , will it be detrimental to the razors mixing three brands like that?
Not in this case. They match up quite ok.

How would you go about honing with these stones?

Not sure what you mean on the last question.

Originally Posted by strangedata

So now I have a Norton 4K/8k and a Shapton 12K(15k) on my way, with two shave-ready razors for practicing and also a Dovo Bismarck that should have been shave-ready, but in reality tugged a lot.

I thought I could use the 8K side on the Norton and the Shapton 12K to fix its edge, and just the Shapton 12K to refresh the two shave-ready razors.

So you're saying that, at least for now, I sound refresh their edge just on the 8K?

What about the Dovo, should I go first to the 4K? Or to the King Deluxe 1K? (After learning with the practice razors, of course).

Oh, speaking of the King hone , will it be detrimental to the razors mixing three brands like that?

How would you go about honing with these stones?

Re the Dovo...

With the assumption that the edge is not really bad, I would use the highest grit stone you have and see if the edge can be refreshed satisfactory. If not, drop down to the next grit and try that. So, if you have the 12/15K try that. If not, try the 8K.

You should not have to go to the 1K, which is more for setting the bevel.

Of course, you could take that approach and go to the 1K, and then work your way up, but you probably don't need to re-set the bevel, and you may end up taking off more steel than you need to.

So it is a judgement call on your part... do you try to take as little steel off as possible and use highest grit dropping down, as needed, or do you start from scratch and set the bevel with the 1K and work your way up. Something people decide on, based on the edge.

Regards,

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Not sure what you mean on the last question.

I meant to ask if I should do anything different from what I've seen on Lynn's (and others) videos, because mostly the instructions are using matching hones from the same brand, or a Naniwa & Norton combo.

The hones I got (King Deluxe 1K, Norton 4K/8K and Shapton 12K[15K]) are a somewhat weird or uncommon combination, I believe.

Just wondering though.

Everyone wants the minimal kit for honing. The sad truth of the matter is it is a rabbit hole we fall down. I started with the 3/8 naniwa SS. then added the 1Knaniwa SS. Oh what the hell i added the 12K naniwa SS. The a friend showed me the Suehiro 20K. Guess what . you got it I now have a 20K. Now I'm not saying this is bad. Just don't be miss led. There will always be that just one more. BUT IT IS FUN.

Well, each hone only matters up until you're finished with it. With each progressive stone you should be wearing away the stria from the previous one, and further refining the edge. Once you're done with you Norton 4k, anything done by your 1K should be erased. Same for your 8K, and your 12K. So it shouldn't matter if you start with King, shift to Norton, then bounce over to Shapton, when you're done you should have a Shapton 12K edge assuming you did your part correctly.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

The 8 k is a finisher if you learn it. Until you can get the most out of the 8 you won't really be ready for the higher grit hones, stay with the basics and learn your hones before chasing an edge that may or may not be that much better, and to be honest until you really become experienced at Shaving and Stropping, you won't notice any difference any way. Good luck. Tc

My thoughts exactly. I would really like to master the 4/8 and learn to hone using this combination. Then, and only then, would I look at expanding to a higher grit finishing stone.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I've written this so many times and 'IF' the forum's program wouldn't mess with my Microsoft Word I'd just copy and paste time after time what I would like to tell you.

IF YOU CAN'T GET A Clean-Close and Comfortable (CCC) SHAVE OFF OF A 8K HONE. THEN BUYING HIGHER GRIT HONES IS LIKE POURING MONEY DOWN A RAT HOLE!!!

I have a Naniwa 12K and a Zulu Grey and a Gyuangxi and after a lot of testing, I can get a 'SLIGHTLY' smoother shave off of them than my Norton 8K. (Not using a pasted strop).

With that said, 'IF' I were to drop and break the Naniwa, Zulu, or Gyuangxi hones, I could live off of my Norton 8K edge (with no pasted strops) for the rest of my life!

However, 'IF' I were to drop and break my Norton 4/8K I'd eat peanut butter sandwiches day in and day out until I could save up to buy a new one.

YES! I DO FEEL THAT STRONGLY ABOUT GETTING A (CCC) SHAVE OFF OF AN 8K HONE.

There is no 'Magic' in higher grit stones! Learn to get the most out of an 8k and then 'think' about higher grit hones.

Sage advice...as usual. Thanks.

Geez Broy why don't you just say what's on your mind instead of beating around the bush! Just kidding my friend. Tc

Originally Posted by rhensley

Everyone wants the minimal kit for honing.

I am not sure that everyone wants the minimal kit for honing. Five stone progressions reaching the 20K + levels seem to be widely advocated here.

Originally Posted by rhensley

The sad truth of the matter is it is a rabbit hole we fall down. I started with the 3/8 naniwa SS. then added the 1Knaniwa SS. Oh what the hell i added the 12K naniwa SS. The a friend showed me the Suehiro 20K. Guess what . you got it I now have a 20K. Now I'm not saying this is bad. Just don't be miss led. There will always be that just one more. BUT IT IS FUN.

One can also crawl out of the rabbit hole. It's the bandwagon effect that tends to push people in, myself included.

I now just use a coticule for most of my honing needs. If heavier restoration is needed, my chosera 1k. If a little extra is needed, some paste.

That's a maximum total of 3 different abrasives.

Granted I have more than one coticule, but that's just for posterity's sake. Zeus forbid that coticules reach the same fanboydom and astronomical prices as Eschers should my sons wish to partake in this hobby in the future.

Well, actually most of what I've seen is folks recommending either a Norton 4/8 or a Naniwa 3/8. And really that's all you need unless you get into vintage restores. And if you really want to be minimalist, send it off to Lynn or Glenn, then order a Norton/Naniwa/Shapton 8K to keep it inline thereafter.

I think the folks recommending 5 stone + systems are missing the cut of this thread's gib. Will most end up with a Naniwa 10/12, Shapton 12/16/30, GS 20, or Zulu/Thuri/PHIG/Coti/W. Slate/Arkanstone? Probably. Curiosity gets us all at some point.

Are they needed? No. I can scratch a few of those naturals off the list. However right now I'm shaving exclusively with a razor Honed on the Norton 8k, stropped with linen then leather. No pastes, no other finisher, 1 pass CCC shaves and the edge is getting mellower (read: more comfortable) every shave.