Thread: is there ONE hone that does it all???

But Lynn, you’re the master! I couldn’t possibly get my edges as keen as you do on the norton. so I have to try other materials that’ll help get me as close!

I gotta agree with Lynn on the 4k/8k thats all I used for a long time and many razors... That 8k side can become a way better finisher than most people give it credit for...The 4k side can set any normal bevel, the only time you need more is for the bad stuff....

If the Norton was off the table and it had to be just one stone, then the Coticule would get the nod as my choice....


One thing that gets skipped quite a bit on these threads is what type of razors are we talking about honing????

If I were just buying new Dovo's, TI's, pre-honed used razors etc: then either of the above stones will do great for me...
Now when you add in E-bay unknowns, then your honing requirements changed to restoration work, which means you have to expand the stone selections...

Originally Posted by kaiser1498

But Lynn, you’re the master! I couldn’t possibly get my edges as keen as you do on the norton. so I have to try other materials that’ll help get me as close!

Try some pastes!

I wouldn't want to travel with a Norton though. A small yellow Belgian should fit that bill. I've never really had success with barber hones, but a two sided barber hone might be an answer as well. Or, a small pasted paddle strop.

For what it's worth, my first stone was a Norton and I kept thinking I needed more hones to get a better edge - and I bought them. Then I realized that what I needed was to get better at honing, and I found myself going back to the Norton. After you get the razor good and sharp on the Norton, all the other stuff is gravy. Enjoyable gravy, but not always needed. If I had to do it again, I would stick with one good stone (and maybe one finisher or paste) and get really good with it before going nuts on all kinds of different products. That's just my experience...


Jordan

Originally Posted by jnich67

For what it's worth, my first stone was a Norton and I kept thinking I needed more hones to get a better edge - and I bought them. Then I realized that what I needed was to get better at honing, Jordan

+1 That is my story too. I'm not sorry I got all of these hones though as I enjoy fooling with them but it is the Indian and not the arrow.

I only have a barber hone, myself and I'm still experimenting with it. It's really small and might be suited for travel.
But I think that something else might be needed...
I've been paying a lot of attention to the hone threads and following the discussions on the several choices of hones. It's funny to see that the crisis is hitting us hard. In a couple of months I've seen threads on hone setups - which is best - and singular hones - if you had to buy one hone...
Like I've said, I never honed a razor before (touch ups don't count) but if I had to buy a hone - and I really need to... - I'd go for a coticule in a heartbeat. Why? Because of what I've heard reputable members say. It's a natural stone and can be made into a multi-purpose stone.
If I were a dollar bill in your pocket I'd like to be spent on a coticule!
But hey... don't mind me! I'm just a honer wannabe!

Merry Xmas!

Guess what?
I' d go for a Coticule...

If you do, you really need to talk to the vendor. There's not very much difference between their polishing abilities, but there's vast difference in speed when used with slurry. I have one that easily rivals my DMT1200. (I use it to hone small chips out, and I actually prefer it over my DMT.) But I have also Coticules that can hardly be used for anything else than finishing. I'm not only talking about the stones ability to produce slurry here, there really is a difference, regardless how thick or thin you make the slurry.

If I could only keep one hone, I wouldn't doubt one second about which one of my Coticules I would pick. If I needed to buy one, I would contact Rob or Maurice at Ardennes Coticule, and ask them to glue a fast Coticule to a Belgian Blue. (instead of the slate they normally use) Of course, it would cost you more, but you get a hone that truly lasts your and your offspring's lifetime, and capable of repairing small defects all the way up to putting a premium edge on a razor. 6" X 1" 3/4 would be my prefered size.

Bart.

If paste does count as a hone...

• I'd travel with a D8EE and use newspaper on site. I've tested this setup at home and it works nicely.

If paste doesn't count as a hone...

• I'd travel with a D8EE (preferably in a 2"x6" size) and a 2 sided paddle (0.5 Chrome Oxide on one side).

As it is, I do travel with a DMT D6E (2"x6") and 2 barber hones in a tool roll. The strop is a homemade one-sided paddle (latigo).

My first choice is a Norton 4/8 combo. My second choice would be a narrow Belgian 2 sided natural, yellow/blue stone.