Thread: Hones.... finding one not easy in OZ!

I think eventually you will wind up with the Norton since overall its the best and most used. You could check out tilly on Eboy she sells NOS barber Hones for very reasonable prices. The hard part is figuring out the grit sizes of these old hones since they don't come with this data. Some of the other Honemeisters here are very knowledgeable on these old hones. Tilly sells as redtrader on the bay.

Tilly sells a great starter kit. She helped me out given the info on the thread I started a couple days ago. VERY inexpensive too, she's worth a try just send her an email.

Tilly has a site, so you don’t have to go through ebay... I for one HATE ebay with a passion... here is her site:
http://www.redtrader99.com/hones.html

There has been some recommendation (other sources that SRP) that this white/8k ceramic hone from Lee Valley is a usable alternative to the Norton, however not as good over all. Lee Valley does do international business, so that may be a good source.
Lee Valley Ceramic Hone

Here is an abrasive supplier in the Ozy that carries SAINT GOBAIN ABRASIVES (Norton),
specialty abrasives
I don’t know if the price point would remain the same but at least you wouldn’t have to pay the shipping cost. The Nortons are notorious for "chipping" in transit, even my hone that was coming from up the freeway about 100miles had some slight chipping on the corners.. so I don’t even think shipping one over seas would be a safe bet, a gamble at best.

My advise would be to email Tilly and explain your situation and I bet you'll have a good hone (or hones) in your possession in short order, the only inconvenience would be handling the conversion of funds but that’s not to difficult either.. That would be the most cost effective way to do it.

Thanks for your reply guys.
I will keep trying for the Norton locally and see how I go.

If your razor is new why do you want a hone?
A better choice is an abrasive pasted 4 sided paddle strop. This will get your
new razor shaving sharp and keep it that way for quite awhile.

Try www.thewellshavedgentleman.com , Tony Miller. He is a member here with some great products. The abrasives, diamond paste (water based) can be found at www.classicshaving.com or the boron carbide and chrome oxide can be found at www.handamerican.com .

By the way, I have far more hones then I will ever use in 3 lifetimes and I also have pasted paddle strops with a number of different abrasives so I am not playing any favorites here. The hone can wait for later unless you intend to refurbish a number of used straight razors.

Hope this helps,

If you're just looking to touch up a good blade you probably can't do better than a good paddle strop with some pastes. Tony's stuff is top drawer and probably cheaper than buying the hone as well as easier than learning the skill, at least to start.

On the stone issue; one is unlikely to be enough. You'll fare much better with an assortment of different grits whether stone or paste.

X

One good fine barber hone from Tilly and pasted strop from Tony and you'd be set for a long time. Much easier to start with the pasted strop, as far as learning curve.