Thread: Basic Honing Needs

I have a great strop, a couple of nice razors which came shave ready so I have a benchmark, but eventually want to learn to hone them myself. I am considering a Norton 4k/8k, but am wondering if that is sufficient for my needs. At this point I don't intend to restore blades just keep mine sharp. Would a pasted paddle or a barber hone be a better option or something additional that I should consider? Is the 8k a fine enough surface for finishing? Thanks in advance.

I'm not hugely in the know about hones pdx but I will say this. the 4k/8k is a good starter and you can get a fine enough edge of it. But be sure to lap the stone when you get it. I didnt know that had to be done and as a result could not for the life of me get an edge on it.

This may be a tough one. Id say to keep it sharp, a 4/8k is sufficient. mostly you will need to use the 8000 side but if you get a small chip or need a bit more than a touch up you could use the 4000. If you got pastes eventually you will have to hone anyway so its better to start off with one. This is also why a barber hone might not work well enough, if it gets chipped then your screwed. I use .5 green Chromium oxide paste after i hone off the 8000 and my edges are good. I also like newspaper after the paste too. So if you went from 8k to newspaper to strop you will be great.

BUT eventually you will end up with like 20 razors and restos and youll need more hones of course...

The Norton 4K/8K combo is all you need for your honing needs. I'd get the 2" version, or get the 3" and split it in half...

Nenad

A 4k/8k will work fine. Add something to lap it. Once you have a good honing stroke, 8k can give you a nice shave.

An additional pasted paddle or finer hone is preferred by many. They can also help compensate for any roughness you might have coming off of an 8k.

The coticule is a very traditional and all around excellent stone for maintaining razors. I recommend them hands down over the norton.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

The coticule is a very traditional and all around excellent stone for maintaining razors. I recommend them hands down over the norton.

In the end I bought a natural coticule combo. Assume this will be ok...