Thread: Touch Up Hone

Some good information has been shared. I have many of the usual suspects (jnats, welsh purple slate, Imperia La Roccia, Chinese 12k, shapton 16k, etc) and have shaved with edges from most of the other contenders. I have played with many of them as touch up hones. I have many barber hones that are about as good as final finishers as anything else I have experienced. I am thinking here of Apart, Lakeside, John Primble, Gem, Panama, Deluxe No 500, Fernsler Ruby, Fritionite 00, Zenith, the list goes on. I also think it is easier to learn how to gently give a razor a few light strokes on a barber hone than it is to learn how to fully hone. Given that you are looking specifically for a "touch up hone" I would suggest that a barber hone might be a logical starting point.

"As long as a razor's edge remains undamaged, its shaving edge can be maintained with a barber hone indefinitely."
Barber Hones - Shave Library

Thank you to everyone for the wealth of information. As I expected, this question is subject to interpretation and preference. I know that my new razors do not require a hone for quite a while, proper stropping, w/compound when needed, will carry me for awhile. I really enjoy the sharpening process and learning new techniques. This is the main reason for my question early in my exposure.

Most likely what I will do is buy a relatively inexpensive razor(s), new or vintage, and try to learn the honing skills prior to putting one of my good razors in harms way! My plan, when the time comes, is to get a Chosera 1000, Naniwa SS 5,000/8.000/12,000 and experiment with other finishing hones as skills/experience build.

I do like the idea of sending my users out to be honed by an experienced person to try different finishes provided by different honing stones when the time comes. I have 2 free honings from SRD. I assume they will use different finishing hones upon request?

Originally Posted by Robini

Thank you to everyone for the wealth of information. As I expected, this question is subject to interpretation and preference. I know that my new razors do not require a hone for quite a while, proper stropping, w/compound when needed, will carry me for awhile. I really enjoy the sharpening process and learning new techniques. This is the main reason for my question early in my exposure.

Most likely what I will do is buy a relatively inexpensive razor(s), new or vintage, and try to learn the honing skills prior to putting one of my good razors in harms way! My plan, when the time comes, is to get a Chosera 1000, Naniwa SS 5,000/8.000/12,000 and experiment with other finishing hones as skills/experience build.

I do like the idea of sending my users out to be honed by an experienced person to try different finishes provided by different honing stones when the time comes. I have 2 free honings from SRD. I assume they will use different finishing hones upon request?

This all sounds good Robini. I like your choices of hones. Going to a meet is a great way to get acquainted to a variety of hones.

bluesman7,

"a meet"?? Please explain.

Originally Posted by Robini

bluesman7,

"a meet"?? Please explain.

A Meet is a get together of straight razor users. I highly recommend that if at all possible to attend one. At the very least see if there is a more experienced shaver that you can sit down with. Hands on learning will teach you more in a few hours than you can learn by reading and watching videos for months.

Here's a link that might be of some help:

Get Togethers and Meetings

Originally Posted by Robini

bluesman7,

"a meet"?? Please explain.

Pictures from our last Denver Meet;http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...-2017-a-8.html

Got it. I would love to find one near me. Good things come to those who wait (says the one who has to wait...)

Originally Posted by Robini

Got it. I would love to find one near me. Good things come to those who wait (says the one who has to wait...)

I've made an inquiry to a member on your behalf. I hope it will bear fruit for you.

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!