Thread: What is the best honing stone available?

Dear Ed,

You must be spoilt for choice with so many stones. Can you tell me which stone(s) you use most and how do you proceed when you got a blunt razor?

Thanks in advance,

Kees

ha, if you think that's many, just ask Randy about his stones collection!

Many thanks for your thoughts on the various stones available.
When it comes to size, what width should I choose.
Does size matter?

Size does matter. Some of what I'm going to say comes from Randy (too early for proper footnotes/endnotes) lol... If you're just going to hone straight edges, then 3" will make your job easier. If you're going to do some curved blades, then 2" would be a much better choice. I was forced to order a 3" Norton from Lee Valey even though I'm working on a nice curved Walker for my rotation, because it was the only locally available one. Can't wait for it to arrive. Working with those tiny Japanese slipstones is a mission.
The longer the hone, the fewer the strokes. (within reason) That's why you want to make it as long as possible. Actually 3x8 is perfect for MOST razors.

Forestry Prof ,depends how you look at it, I`d say you got it good
Regards Peter

I prefer smaller stones. I find barber hones size ideal. For a new Belgian hone, I would choose 150x50mm

Nenad

I like bench stones as they allow me to work on my blades while watching TV and some of my restoration projects require hours on the hone.

Originally Posted by Kees

Many thanks for your thoughts on the various stones available.
When it comes to size, what width should I choose.
Does size matter?

Hi Kees,

Skill is what matters, not size. Those who learn on Nortons become familiar with using larger sized hones, and so on the off chance they actually try a smaller one, will likely find it rather peculiar and difficult to use. Furthermore, IMHO, many of those who are advancing the "bigger is better" idea are not doing so based on their own experience using smaller hones let alone sufficient experience using the larger ones that they have. Even those who have mastered the Norton after years of experience have not, so far as I can tell, dedicated themselves to the extensive practice needed to thoroughly master the smaller barber hones. Their familiarity with them is only occasional and experimental at best. Yet, some of our fellow Nortonmeisters (generous as they are with their willingness to help others) still denigrate them without reservation. New members hear their remarks and accept their word as if it were the gospel truth, unaware that their mastery of Nortons does not entail their having mastered barber hones. On the contrary, knowing how to use smaller barber hones, the authentic tools of this lost art, requires a very different set of skills as well as lots of practice and persistence to master.

What size will be better for you will depend on what size you choose to learn how to use. Whatever hones you've chosen to use, make a commitment to learn how to use them. With persistence and determination you will find the size that you have will be the best size for you.

Hal

Hey I learned on small 2x4" Japanese slipstones and I've tried honing on a Norton. I'm just providing you with my perspective that covers both bases.

As you can see, opinions vary.