Thread: Newbie with $125. Recommendations?

Someone close to me is just starting out with honing and has $125 to spend on hones. He's looking for recommendations. He has his razors and a strop for daily stropping. That's it. What should I tell him to buy? Thanks.

I bought: 4/8 Norton $68, leather and felt 8x3" strops from the same store to get the total over $75 and get free shipping. Total $79 (they take foreign credit cards if you ask nice, I had to)
One chinese 12k $20 plus shipping
Bought a marble tile and sandpaper from Home Depot for lapping: $10 approx
total: $109+ 12k shipping
If you live outside the US the shipping will add a bit more to it.

My next investment is going to be chrome oxide powder from japanese knife sharpening $12 plus shipping.

I like the BBW/Coticule combination. They can be incredibly versatile. With the use of slurry they can cut at a decent speed & polish well without. If they're willing to wait for the right deal, they could get one in the classifieds for that money & still have $ left over for a chinese 12k.

Originally Posted by flyboy

total: $109+ 12k shipping
If you live outside the US the shipping will add a bit more to it.

12K shipping???? Damn I thought eBay was bad.

Originally Posted by smythe

12K shipping???? Damn I thought eBay was bad.

You've obviously never handled a chinese 12k. Those things are heavy!!! You gotta charge at leats $9000 for the shipping and handling, but that's only if you don't want to make a profit. $12000 sounds about right to me.

Ok guys, I am not going to edit the thing about 12k shipping away. Wouldn't be nice to take away what you are laughing at, but what I really meant was shipping o get the 12k stone sent via the mail

There is a full top to bottom Norton set always on Amazon for $120 all the time, but it depends on what he is thinking of honing up... All kinds of razors from e-bay to new this is the right choice.... If he is only honing shave ready razors or new razors then a Yellow coticule is the way to go...
Seems that we all start with this idea of just a couple of razors, then end up with a few e-bay buys, so the full Norton set is a great starter setup, gives you the ability to do everything... Adding a pasted strop, or a finish hone later down the road just smooths things up....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is a full top to bottom Norton set always on Amazon for $120 all the time, but it depends on what he is thinking of honing up... All kinds of razors from e-bay to new this is the right choice.... If he is only honing shave ready razors or new razors then a Yellow coticule is the way to go...
Seems that we all start with this idea of just a couple of razors, then end up with a few e-bay buys, so the full Norton set is a great starter setup, gives you the ability to do everything... Adding a pasted strop, or a finish hone later down the road just smooths things up....

*Now* he tells me. He speaks the truth, though: Amazon.com: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone: Home Improvement

Throw in a Chinese 12k and/or a pasted strop.. wait.. Glen already said that, too.

That Norton setup would be great. Even comes with a 220 grit stone.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is a full top to bottom Norton set always on Amazon for $120 all the time, but it depends on what he is thinking of honing up... All kinds of razors from e-bay to new this is the right choice.... If he is only honing shave ready razors or new razors then a Yellow coticule is the way to go...
Seems that we all start with this idea of just a couple of razors, then end up with a few e-bay buys, so the full Norton set is a great starter setup, gives you the ability to do everything... Adding a pasted strop, or a finish hone later down the road just smooths things up....

The issue is that he's not really sure about straight razors yet. He wants the bare minimum so he can gauge his interest. I suggested 1000 grit sandpaper. I use it and it works well. If he gets the Norton 4K/8K, should he add a Coticule or a Thuringian or a pasted strop?

Originally Posted by FloorPizza

*Now* he tells me. He speaks the truth, though: Amazon.com: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone: Home Improvement

Throw in a Chinese 12k and/or a pasted strop.. wait.. Glen already said that, too.

That Norton setup would be great. Even comes with a 220 grit stone.

Craftsman Studio sells the set for $104 + shipping.

If he is close to you, I guess he will rely on you for advice and help while he learn the skill.
So, it's beneficial for him to use a setup that you're familiar with.
Obviously, there are different setups available that all give good results, even within that price range, and everyone will, as usual, endorse his own choice.

Bart.