Good inexpensive hones.

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10-27-2010, 04:17 AM
Zaph

Good inexpensive hones.

I am looking to start honing my own razors but I have a limited budget so I was wondering what brand of hones I get.
10-27-2010, 04:19 AM
mainaman

I think this is the most economical way to go

Amazon.com: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone: Industrial & Scientific
10-27-2010, 09:17 AM
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
10-27-2010, 03:14 PM
walto

If you have only a few razors to maintain you may want to consider Al2O3 lapping films. If you want to go into razor restoration I would additionally recommend a lower grit stone (like Shapton glass 500). Lapping films are available from 60 microns to microns 0.05. I tried to establish a bevel with 30 micron lapping film on a razor that did not cut anything (execept butter maybe) and it worked. But for this task i prefer a low grit hone.

Here a some threads for further reading:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...t=lapping+film
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...t=lapping+film
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...t=lapping+film
10-27-2010, 03:17 PM
hi_bud_gl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaph

I am looking to start honing my own razors but I have a limited budget so I was wondering what brand of hones I get.

i have never advise anyone this but this is how i started.
by slip stones 1k,4k,8k. will cost you less then 30.00 alltogether
then glue 4/8k together opposite to each other.
it is very small stones but who cares . as long as you have hones and need to learn how to hone.
after learning you can spend more money and buy more expensive stones.
if you like to see my slip stones let me know . i will post piscs.
gl
10-27-2010, 03:24 PM
Bayamontate

Taidea makes really good inexpensive hones as well.
10-27-2010, 03:26 PM
JimmyHAD

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

i have never advise anyone this but this is how i started.
by slip stones 1k,4k,8k. will cost you less then 30.00 alltogether
l

How much have you spent on stones since then Sham ? :rock:
10-27-2010, 03:36 PM
hoglahoo

I think it could depend on what kind of hones your razors will require of you. If you only need finishing hone(s), the brand you choose could be different than if you require a brand which produces hones that also set bevels, cut, and polish
10-27-2010, 03:37 PM
Zaph

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

i have never advise anyone this but this is how i started.
by slip stones 1k,4k,8k. will cost you less then 30.00 alltogether
then glue 4/8k together opposite to each other.
it is very small stones but who cares . as long as you have hones and need to learn how to hone.
after learning you can spend more money and buy more expensive stones.
if you like to see my slip stones let me know . i will post piscs.
gl

I would definitely love to see those pics.
10-27-2010, 03:55 PM
Zaph

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I think it could depend on what kind of hones your razors will require of you. If you only need finishing hone(s), the brand you choose could be different than if you require a brand which produces hones that also set bevels, cut, and polish

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.
10-27-2010, 04:01 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

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.
10-27-2010, 04:03 PM
Slartibartfast

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.

Quote:

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.
10-27-2010, 05:41 PM
hi_bud_gl

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

How much have you spent on stones since then Sham ? :rock:

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
10-27-2010, 05:52 PM
hi_bud_gl

3 Attachment(s)

this is the pics. gl
10-27-2010, 05:59 PM
JimmyHAD

Very cool Sham, I didn't know those existed. Certainly good for someone who wants to start honing with minimal $ . :tu
10-27-2010, 06:12 PM
Troggie

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.
10-27-2010, 11:16 PM
Disburden

Quote:

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!
10-28-2010, 10:11 AM
tok

Quote:

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