Thread: Minimum kit for honing SRs

It would be great if we could start with a few razors and a STARTING KIT to learn honing. To learn what we know isn't rocket science, but, it is still no walk in the park either. My thoughts always go back to having one razor honed by a professional, so you know what a sharp razor feels like, looks like and shaves like. To grab 3 or 4 stones and a few antique store razors, which will more than likely need a bit of work, tough enough for experienced blokes let alone to learn on. So, have that one razor done right, buy a mid range finishing hone like a Naniwa 8k, and learn first how to maintain an already perfect edge. To just pick up a 1k, and 'set a bevel' often for beginners means a hell of a lot of the spines of razors washed down the sink with bits of the hone. When you get the hang of it, and it will take more than a few weeks, then look at defining your honing equipment. The 8k hone will still be a great hone after you've got things going, but at least you will have your stroke right, an understanding of the edges, using magnification, (cheap loupes). And get great shaves off the pro honed razor, if you ruin it's edge in touching up, then you'll have a horror of a time with a razor that's dull As far as lapping goes, wetdry will be fine for a single stone. Mostly flat is OK.

Originally Posted by bobski

It would be great if we could start with a few razors and a STARTING KIT to learn honing. To learn what we know isn't rocket science, but, it is still no walk in the park either. My thoughts always go back to having one razor honed by a professional, so you know what a sharp razor feels like, looks like and shaves like. To grab 3 or 4 stones and a few antique store razors, which will more than likely need a bit of work, tough enough for experienced blokes let alone to learn on. So, have that one razor done right, buy a mid range finishing hone like a Naniwa 8k, and learn first how to maintain an already perfect edge. To just pick up a 1k, and 'set a bevel' often for beginners means a hell of a lot of the spines of razors washed down the sink with bits of the hone. When you get the hang of it, and it will take more than a few weeks, then look at defining your honing equipment. The 8k hone will still be a great hone after you've got things going, but at least you will have your stroke right, an understanding of the edges, using magnification, (cheap loupes). And get great shaves off the pro honed razor, if you ruin it's edge in touching up, then you'll have a horror of a time with a razor that's dull As far as lapping goes, wetdry will be fine for a single stone. Mostly flat is OK.

Sage advice. I have identified two of my antique store razors that I want to get professionally honed. I have cleaned and polished them and don't want to ruin them. So, yes, I will send these to be honed by someone who knows what they are doing.
The first is a Geo Wostenholm and Son:


The second is a Wade and Butcher:


These are beautiful razors. Works of art in my humble opinion. I will learn how to shave with these and will learn to maintain the professionally honed edges. In due time...I have a couple of razors that are in good condition that I will use to learn to set the bevel and hone. I am very patient and like to learn how to do something right the first time and in the right manner. No rush...as they say, good things come to those that wait...or something like that.