Thread: The intimidation of Newbie Honing

Hey Nick,

1) Should I just get a barber's hone for polishing my shave ready straights?

Either that or a coticule would do you just fine I think.

2) Would I be better off getting a 12-16K stone for polishing. I have a heavy beard and sometimes sharp razors that come shave ready CAN be sharper for my taste. Sometimes they pull under my chin.

Stones at that grit level are sometimes too fine even
to touch up a razor. An exception might be the Shapton
16k since it cuts so fast.

3) Will I ever need a North 4k/8k if I continue to buy shave ready razors from you guys.

Probably not.

4) Is a Coticule the same as a Norton since the grits are the same (from what I see yellow is 8k, etc.)?

A coticule is very different than the Norton 8k. The
abrasive garnets in the stone leave a smoother edge,
and when you use a slurry it can be a very fast hone.

5) If I do buy a stone like a 12k I would need to lap it right? How would I do this if I own no other stones?

Use sandpaper and a flat surface.

To be honest, if I ever had to own 1 stone, it would
probably be a coticule. It tends to leave a great edge
for shaving when used with water (or lather), and
can do some serious sharpening when used with a
slurry.


Good luck!

- Scott

Very good information with your answers. I am grateful!

I see the coticule is available in many sizes. What would be best? I am guessing one that is 2" wide.

Also I would need to round the edges, correct? Do I rub them with sandpaper?

Originally Posted by sebell

To be honest, if I ever had to own 1 stone, it would
probably be a coticule. It tends to leave a great edge
for shaving when used with water (or lather), and
can do some serious sharpening when used with a
slurry.


Good luck!

- Scott

Huge +1 from a Shapton guy if I was just a shaver and limited myself to 1 hone, the Yellow Coticule would be the "One"...

You guys are really helping me out here. thanks so much. I think I will be looking for a yellow coticule soon, or maybe a combination of blue/yellow coticule. Now I just need to see how to lap properly with sandpaper. I will do a search.

Check this out: Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Disb,

Were I not a shaver with serious Hone Acquisition Disorder (HAD) I'd likely have started and stopped with a 6" x 2" coticule, possibly the natural combination variety with the obverse yellow coticule and the reverse blue belgian.

Take a look at both Jim Ayars' Vintage Blades hone section and Howard Schechter's The Perfect Edge for these stones. Howard will lap the stone for you for a nominal fee. Once done, for one shaver's touch-up use, it may never need to be lapped again. That stone, backed up with a CrOx charged paddle strop for a final polish, may be all one would ever need to maintain one's razors.

Straight Double Edge Razor : Shaving Products Supplies : Dovo Safety Razor : Badger Shaving Brush : Men's Grooming Products : VintageBladesllc.com
The Perfect Edge

good luck, good shaving

I got by for years with just a barbers hone.