Thread: Honing where it hurts

You may get as many recommendations as members in this forum. With that said, here's mine:

If all you want is to hone your shave-ready blades, mi recommendations is the Yellow Coticule, and if time is not an issue, you can also use this stone to get a blade ready as long as is not damaged.

My $0.02 worth

My razors aren't exactly shaved ready, they need a lot of job.

Option B will get you the best edge of the choices you listed, period.

Option C will be the fastest route to a really sharp blade, but you'll need to add a finishing stone of some sort.

Option A will allow you to take advice from more people on this board than the others. But nearly all of the pros who will give you good advice on the nortons, also use the belgians, and can give just as much good advice on those.

Sandpaper can be substituted for the diamond hone for lapping purposes if you want to save a buck or two.

And CrO paste isn't necessary if you go the Belgian route, though many people like to use it anyway.

Is it possible to hone on little hones? Like a 4 inches by 2 inches?

Also, how do I use a slurry and what are the effects on the sharpening properties(less grits or more grits)?

And how do I use the belgians? Soak them in water like the nortons or just add a little water?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Verminisjk

Is it possible to hone on little hones? Like a 4 inches by 2 inches?

Yes, I have a coticule that is 1.5"X3.5" and it works well, it takes a few more strokes but it puts the same fine edge on the razor and that's what matters.

Originally Posted by Verminisjk

Also, how do I use a slurry and what are the effects on the sharpening properties(less grits or more grits)?

Well, to form a slurry, I recommend some kind of slurry stone, small diamond hone, etc. but it isn't necessary, the coticule cuts pretty well without it also. With slurry it is probably 6k to 8k, without slurry it is more like 8k to 10k.

Originally Posted by Verminisjk

And how do I use the belgians? Soak them in water like the nortons or just add a little water?

Just add a little water. They aren't porous stones, so soaking is useless ...and I like it better that way.

Ok, thanks, just to be sure, a coticule is the yellow one? The extra extra fine?

Option D

wet sand paper ( to lap)
DMT extra fine (1200) 2" X 6"
Blue belgian 1,5-2" X 6- 8"
Yellow Coticule 1,5-2" X 6- 8"
Cromum Oxide

The classic option is Norton 4K/8K combostone and a coticule. IMHO you don't need a lapping stone, sandpaper on a glass plate should do the trick.