I was lucky to get a set of Chosera hones for my birthday, a 3000, 5000, and a 10000 (yet to arrive but expected in a week or so). I have been using a straight razor for about 5 months or so and have up until now used lapping film on a 1/4 inch thick piece of plexiglass to maintain the edge of my daily razor (yes I only use one...for now). I have had no big trouble keeping my edge shave ready with the film but have wanted a set of stones to do the job.

I also have a Thuringian hone from kees the small 5" by 1" kind.

I couldn't wait to use these hones but was trying to hold out for the 10000 to arrive. Well I couldn't wait.

I lapped the 3000 and the 5000 on some wet/dry sandpaper and then lightly used the dressing stone that comes with the stone.

I had also in my posession a kind of beat up Ontario Cutlery 5/8 that I thought I would try to hone up with what I have available.

I had never used the razor as it suffers from some rust and stain issues but I polished up a bit of some 2000 rubbing compount and some metal polish.

Now to the stones. I soaked the two in some clean water and after a half hour or so took them out and started at it. I did about ... I don't know ... 50~70 laps on the 3000 then I moved to the 5000 and did about the same number of round trips. I checked the edge with a thumb pad test and not knowing really what I should be feeling for I moved on the the Thuringian.

I probably did about 100 laps with a heavy slurry. Renewing it several times before moving onto water only. I did about 100 laps with the water only rinsing after every 20 laps. At this point the edge looked really good but felt the same when I attempted the thumb pad test but it felt the same as after the previous attempts. I tried to run the edge through my arm hair in a thick patch and it did really good. I did another 10 laps on the water only Thuringian and the did about 30~40 lapps on the chromium oxide balsa bench hone I made and stroped on leather only (skipping the canvas).

The shave for the past 3 days has been really good!! The grind on this razor is about 1/2 hollow whereas on my other daily it is double hollow. Next to no irritation and smooth all the way along.

I can't wait to get the 10000 Chosera and feel the keeness that Bart has posted about with the Choseera 10000.

But as my honing goes, so far so good!!!