Thread: Touch Up Hone

If you ABSOLUTELY Have To Buy A Made by the C.H. Ina razor, you might try one of these. I've honed three of them for some guys and none of them had any real problems.

ZY China Shave Ready Straight Razor HRC60 Stainless Steel Handmade Extra Sharp

They also have some that are a bit different as the heel isn't rounded but I'd stay away from those.

Hi Robini,
Str8razor here, I moderate the monthly giveaways plus I live in Bartlesville, just North of you. It was mentioned to me, by one our members, that you live close by and needed help in learning how to hone. I have a write-up explaining how to hone, which is my method, but it works for me. I need to update it a bit and will send it to you via email, which I can obtain thru this site since I am a moderator. Also, if needed, I could possibly come to Tulsa and demonstrate the technique.
What to you think?

Bill

That sounds great Str8razor! I would love it! I am in Bartlesville from time to time and am more than happy to come to you and make it easier. Let me know!

Many thanks!

This post started as a search for a touch up hone. That said, my plan was to purchase a few different finishing hones to see what the differences are. From what I am understanding, one needs to have the basic honing skills before putting a quality blade on a rock of any grit. I currently have no plans on doing restoration work, so would i need a 1K stone? Wouldn't the basics have to come from the beginning, setting a bevel? This seems to be coming more clear in that one must learn the complete skill, even if not planning on starting from scratch often to be successful at the finish/touch up stage.

Agree/disagree?

Also, if the 1k stone isn't going to be used much, should I invest in the chosera or save some $$ and go with the 1 or 2k SS?

Are your razors now in good shaving condition? If so, buy stones in reverse order; finishers first. These will keep your edge well maintained. At some point you will want, and need, to set a bevel. Yes, you will need a 1k for that task. I use the Shapton Glass series of stones and highly recommend them. Remember, this a hobby and you’ll likely want to learn the basic skills. I don’t restore, but I like to hone my own.

Originally Posted by Robini

This post started as a search for a touch up hone. That said, my plan was to purchase a few different finishing hones to see what the differences are. From what I am understanding, one needs to have the basic honing skills before putting a quality blade on a rock of any grit. I currently have no plans on doing restoration work, so would i need a 1K stone? Wouldn't the basics have to come from the beginning, setting a bevel? This seems to be coming more clear in that one must learn the complete skill, even if not planning on starting from scratch often to be successful at the finish/touch up stage.

Agree/disagree?

Also, if the 1k stone isn't going to be used much, should I invest in the chosera or save some $$ and go with the 1 or 2k SS?

I have a King 1000 and a Chosera 1K however I rarely use them. You can easily set a bevel with a 4K. I learned how from Glen's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53SL9QMq6I

The Naniwa 12K is a nice finisher. With that said if you can't get a CCC Shave (Clean-Close & Comfortable shave off of a 8K then buying higher grit stones is just a waste of money.

I have several 'finishing' stones: Naniwa 12K, Arkansas Hard Black, Zulu Grey, Shaun Stone, Chinese Guangxi, Coticule Yellow and a Belgium Blue. I could suddenly have all of them disappear and be left with just my Norton 4/8 and be happy with my 8K shave for the rest of my life.

However if that 4/8 disappeared along with all of the others and I didn't have the funds to replace it--I'd eat peanut butter sandwiches for however long it took to save up the money to buy another 4/8 Norton.

With all this said, I still highly advise to learn how to Properly Make Lather, Strop and of course Shave before worrying about buying hones. A properly honed razor's edge with Proper Stropping should last you months.

Originally Posted by Robini

This post started as a search for a touch up hone. That said, my plan was to purchase a few different finishing hones to see what the differences are. From what I am understanding, one needs to have the basic honing skills before putting a quality blade on a rock of any grit. I currently have no plans on doing restoration work, so would i need a 1K stone? Wouldn't the basics have to come from the beginning, setting a bevel? This seems to be coming more clear in that one must learn the complete skill, even if not planning on starting from scratch often to be successful at the finish/touch up stage.

Agree/disagree?

Also, if the 1k stone isn't going to be used much, should I invest in the chosera or save some $$ and go with the 1 or 2k SS?

If you think that you will rarely need a 1k, you can use 600/1000 grit wet dry. Then get a Chosera later.

Originally Posted by Robini

Hello all! I am new to this forum and to the straight razor way. That said, I am enjoying it very much!

My question is what would be the recommendation for a touch up hone? Naniwa SS 12K/Vermio/Coticule/... Both razors I have came new from SRD. As I have been told, they hone to the Naniwa 12K on all new razors. I love how both shave but have nothing to compare to. I know I do not need this today, just trying to learn and prepare (and I love sharpening!)

Input is appreciated!

Input...
Have SRD hone it one additional time when it needs it.

A Naniwa SS 12K may be all you need to touch up a well honed razor.
As long as it does not get too dull a half dozen laps on a modern hone in
the range of 10K to 16K may be all you need forever.

The Naniwa12K is a darn fine hone and you may wish to add a 6k or 8k hone
to help the 12K but that is a choice more than a need.

You are welcome to try a natural hone. This is in part why I recommend
a second honing at SRD. Knowing what makes a good shave good is not
always obvious.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Robini

This post started as a search for a touch up hone. That said, my plan was to purchase a few different finishing hones to see what the differences are. From what I am understanding, one needs to have the basic honing skills before putting a quality blade on a rock of any grit. I currently have no plans on doing restoration work, so would i need a 1K stone? Wouldn't the basics have to come from the beginning, setting a bevel? This seems to be coming more clear in that one must learn the complete skill, even if not planning on starting from scratch often to be successful at the finish/touch up stage.

Agree/disagree?

Also, if the 1k stone isn't going to be used much, should I invest in the chosera or save some $$ and go with the 1 or 2k SS?

I went with the 4/8k norton as my touch up hone and 2 shaves in this noob (me) dinged the blade on the faucet and ended up buying a 1k. While waiting for the home I kept kicking myself for not getting it to start with. That being said, don't do what I did and you won't need it? YMMV and all that. Since I had it I started to learn from the bevel up and most of the honemeisters here, of which I am not even close, will tell you that the bevel is the most important part of the shave. If all goes well learning in reverse order I would imagine is preferable but in my life stuff happens. As to the finisher stick with the Nani to start, it is consistent and any one who hones here can help you without the need for a million questions. Like everything there is no one way to do this and as long as your having fun then keep on honing!

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

The only razor I've seen so ruined was the recent Mastro Livi he talks about. What a dumba$$.

I seem to be missing some context.

Who is "he?" Who is a "dumba$$?