Thread: Minimum kit for honing SRs

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Definitely not 10k. No real advantage there but 20k & above or a natural would be the next choice.
Still, as is advised, learn your 8k first.

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?

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 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 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.

Originally Posted by strangedata

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.

Nothing will differ except maybe the number of strokes which also may differ from razor to razor.
Visual cues & bevel tests are all you need to succeed.
As I said before "They match up quite ok."

UPDATE: I have been shaving with a Dovo 6/8 Best Quality SR. My progress to date has been very good. I can now shave with no nicks or irritation. Learning to shave with a professionally honed razor makes all the difference.

I may have already mentioned in an earlier post that I purchased a Naniwa 1k stone and a Naniwa 3/8k stone...and a leather covered board strop. I have honed 5 razors so far. Two of the razors had flaws in the blade, but that was fine because those were my "trainers". And they did teach me valuable lessons. The third, fourth and fifth razors honed up very well. I was able to set the bevel and achieve a mirror finish on the edge, perform the hanging hair test and shave successfully with the razors. So, yes, you were right, this can be achieved with the 8k stone. I will not be purchasing a finishing stone...at least not for a while.

The only addition to my minimal kit was a home-made newspaper strop. After honing I would strop 50 laps on the newspaper and 50 laps on the leather. I still have lots to learn and I know every razor I sharpen will teach me something new.

I want to extend my thanks to all who offered advice and encouraging words. I could not have done it without you.

And to all of you who are sitting on the sidelines who think honing is a great mystery I say to you pick up a minimal kit as described above, buy a couple of training razors and do it! Patience and attention to detail is all you need. If I can do it so can you! It is a wonderful feeling to sharpen your own SR and even better to get a great shave from a razor you sharpened yourself.

ANOTHER UPDATE: I have been getting exceptionally nice edges with the 1k and 3/8K stones. I have sharpened many SRs and have had no problems getting a keen edge and a great shave. Without a doubt the 1k, 3/8k stones are all that is necessary for someone who wants to start honing their own razors.

Having said that, I really wanted to try a finishing stone to see if it made a significant difference...so I recently purchased a Naniwa 12k stone. I must say, it does a very nice job putting that extra special polish on the edge. I hesitate to say it... BUT...the 12k is a welcome addition to my "minimal kit". At this point I don't think I would go to a higher grit...but I have learned in life to "never say never".