Thread: Good inexpensive hones.

Originally Posted by Zaph

I am trying to do my first restoration on a razor that I have been using for the last year (I have a new razor now). It is not in bad shape it just has some pits and staining and I was going to try and remove all of those and then restore the edge to shave ready.

The norton starter set is a good place to start @ around $120.00 IIRC. That is a 220/1000 and a 4k/8k set of 8" combo hones + a lapping stone. The equivalent grit naniwa superstones are great too. The norton lapping stone is not the best choice and I prefer a DMT 325 D8C continuous diamond plate. The $ get higher but the tools are better and more efficient. You can also lap with wet and dry sandpaper on a flat surface but you have to have something. What hi_bud_gl said about the slip stones will work too but takes longer because of the smaller size.

I know you have not started yet, but i am just going to say dont get frustrated.

Using a resto as your first razor to hone is definately a bit of a challenge. Just make sure you really get that initial bevel set.

Originally Posted by Zaph

I am trying to do my first restoration on a razor that I have been using for the last year (I have a new razor now). It is not in bad shape it just has some pits and staining and I was going to try and remove all of those and then restore the edge to shave ready.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

How much have you spent on stones since then Sham ?

Jimmy that was just start. i didn't say it was the only money i spend on the hones.
How much? eveything i get goes darn stones now. i hate HAD LOL

this is the pics. gl

Very cool Sham, I didn't know those existed. Certainly good for someone who wants to start honing with minimal $ .

Hmm.. I started on a set of slip stones as well that I got off ebay for 15 bucks.. I now have a King 1k/6k and Chinese 12k from Woodcraft.com that I picked up for about 50 bucks that I use. The Kings are not the greatest as they have to be lapped quite often (I do that with a diamond plate I picked up at harbor freight for 10 bucks) but get the job done.

Originally Posted by tok

You might be interested in a Coticule, too.

Look here:
Ardennes Coticule - Producer of the Coticule whetstone!

The cheapest option is about 30 Bucks plus shipping. The bigger, the more expensive. My stones are wide, but I have no doubt, that a 3cm wide Hone would do the job perfectly well. Length is up to you; 12+ would be good. Ask for a fast hone (That means, from a fast layer.), preferably with a Blue side and a matching slurry stone. Then, look at coticule.be and learn how to use it.

I´m pretty sure that people will tell you not to do so and buy a Norton or whatever, but in the end, it is up to you. I don´t have Nortons; all I can tell you is that currently, the coticules I´ve got are the only Hones I use. No pasted strops needed, although you are welcome to use them after the coticules.

If you want to restore old razors, look for a hone around 600 grit, too. In my opinion, that´s all you´ll ever need.

I hope, this helps.

Regards,
Tok

It's a shame the prices are going to go way up on these coticules at some time soon, but they had to do it...Good but sad!

Originally Posted by Disburden

It's a shame the prices are going to go way up on these coticules at some time soon, but they had to do it...Good but sad!

I agree…

Anyway, another inexpensive method that worked for me is using my BBW in some kind of "Dilublue" and then finish on a small coticule with water only. But having big coticules, I prefer using them, although I like to play with the BBW, too.

Regards,
Tok