Many thanks to Randy, Nenad and Ben for answering my question on which stone to buy. :)
Reading the various threads and comments I get this uneasy feeling that honing wiill always be a chore whatever you use, whether you are a honemeister or not. A few minutes ago I came across this passage on ClassicShaving.com:
To maintain a fleet of regularly used razors, typically a two-step process beginning with 1.0 micron, followed by .50 micron will achieve a perfectly smooth shaving edge. Be sure to completely wipe off the blade when moving from the coarser grit to the finer, and again before moving on to your un-pasted finishing strop to prevent cross-contamination.
The motion used on the diamond pasted surface is identical to that employed on your hanging strop – working from the blade’s heel to the point as you travel up or down the surface, leading with the razor’s back, and applying no pressure – using only the weight of the razor to maintain constant contact between the razor edge and the pasted surface. After having sharpened your razor you should finish on the un-pasted leather strop, omitting use of the canvas or linen side. Your razor is now ready to use. Routine use of the canvas/leather pre-shave stropping may be resumed for successive daily shaves.
This procedure, used every 2-3 weeks, should be all that is necessary to keep your razors in perfect shaving condition.
Although some of you guys will consider themselves aficionado's of straight razor shaving and all its paraphernalia, I am not. I just want a better shave than Gillette and their likes can offer. I do not want to spend ages on sharpening, honing &c. I don't know anyone in the Netherlands who can do it for me.
So, is there any truth in the qouted passage above? Any thoughts? Please let me know.
Kees
c.rietsema@planet.nl