Thread: 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.

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

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

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

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

Taidea makes really good inexpensive hones as well.

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 ?

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

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.

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.