Thread: Looking Forward to Honing (just a little)

Hi,
In one of Lynn's videos in the Wiki, he talks of a 'Barber's Hone', that is, a hone used just to refresh a blade. I have a razor I've been shaving with since the beginning of June, and guess it will need refreshing at some stage. I'm not yet wanting to purchase a 'dull' razor and set bevels or anything like that, maybe in the future, but not now (unless I have to?). Can I use a Norton Waterstone 4/8k (8k side) as a 'Barber's Hone' to just refresh the edge? Lynn says I'd need to do only 4 or 5 strokes (and he answered my question in regards to if people 'back then' honed their own razors too :-) I now know the difference (I think) between refreshing and actual honing (sort of). So, if I have a razor that WAS shave ready when I got it, have shaved each day with it since early June, can I simply continue to refresh it, rather than 'get right into' honing? And what grit hone could be used for this; is 4/8k (8k side) adequate, or is it too coarse? Who knows, I may yet wish to set bevels, etc, but I certainly don't want to muck up my razors.

Also, (and I may post this bit separately based on replies) does anyone in South Australia know how to hone; and would you be prepared to meet to show me how? I live in the hills but would travel any reasonable distance to be taught how to do it, I think better to be taught how than simply remain ignorant and send the razors away...I'd bring one of my razors or course...

PS, or can I simply use a pasted strop to refresh???

PPS there's so much TO this hobby!!

Yes, and Yes. A barber hone would be prefered because it's a bit finer than your Norton 8k. More is less in this case. I always recommend refreshing with the finest grit you can get away with. Also, You don't have to wait until the razor is dull, As soon as it's in the early stages, I'd hit the hone. In lieu of a Barber's hone, a 12k can be used. The Chinese 12k sold at woodcraft is a good choice because it's so fine. It's a slow cutter, but maybe 25 lapps or so, at the first sign of pulling/tugging, should bring it back. They are naturals, so there are differences between them. I used to use my Swaty, (Barber's hone) religously, I'd do about 3 lapps on the blade about every two weeks or so, It kept it shave ready, and no wear. I'd bet it'd keep the blade sharp indefinitely, barring an accident. I can't say about the 8k, but give a go. You can most definitley shave off an 8k...

As far as pastes go, I'd only use them once to refresh the edge, then you'd have to hit the hones. Continued use of paste can actually roll the edge of the blade causing more harm than good. I like them as a final polish after a honing session as well.

I have found that continued refreshing will lead to the path of "needing a bit more", because as with any sharp object....over time it will once again need to be "sharpened". If it took you 10 strokes to refresh the first time, and 15 the next time and so on, at some point it will be beneficial to drop to a lower grit stone and use fewer strokes to accomplish the same thing....moving up to your "refreshing stone" for the last couple of strokes.

A barber's hone will certainly allow you to refresh a razor, as will a 12k. You can definitely get really good shaving edges off of a Norton 8K waterstone. You'll have to be a bit patient, and it will take a bit of time to learn, but it's entirely possible.

OK, so what you're saying, is that I could use the 4/8k, but a finer grit is preferred? So really, I could get a 4/8 now, go with that, and eventually need to use the 4/8 later anyway, or get a finer stone (C12), use that now as a better method; and buy a 4/8k later when I need to? Is that right?

Feeling my face driving home from work tonight about 11 hours after shaving I felt a little too stubbly; I think the first razor is in need of a touch up. I guess a 12k with fewer strokes would likely do less damage to the edge (if I git it wrong) than a 8k?

I probably won't go with a pasted strop then, sounds a bit iffy...

I'll Google C12, woodcraft etc to see what I can find...

There was a time once, when I would have just jumped on the bike, and ridden to SA, 'just for the hell of it', to show you what I could. A nice ride and a spontaneous one is always good.
I think your question is pretty much answered, but I will give you some of my own experience.

You can shave off a 6000, but it is a bit rough, been there done that. You can shave off an 8000, much, much nicer to shave with, and gives a quite acceptable shave. I discovered real comfort once I got my PHIG or C12k. Get one from Carba-Tec. It's much cheaper than getting it from O.S. Last I heard they had two sizes. My own is the larger sized stone. You can stick with 8000, it will do the job, and if you're on a tight budget as I was, the Norton 4/8k would be the best first choice for a purchase (depending on how good the edge is still I suppose). If you can soon afford to buy the second stone though, I would go for the 12k first and then get the 4/8k soon after. Hope that helps mate.


Mick

Thanks Mick, I'll look up Carba-Tec, it's tax return time soon so I think I'll be buying quite a BIT of shaving related stuff (though my son made the silly SILLY error of telling my wife how much I was getting back! I had to teach the young fellow that you NEVER do that, hasn't he heard of 'secret money'?) I like comfort so the C12 might be the go. Ummm, what's a PHIG (other than one of those fruit things that grow on those really big trees)?

Hi Mick,
What do you think of this (below)? Seems the finest grit available from that site is 10K

Japanese Waterstone - 10 000 grit : CARBA-TEC

Carl

Carl,

I took a look at the link above. You are looking for "NATURAL sharpening stone" on that site. It's a dark grey colour, at the bottom of the page in the sharpening stone category.

PHIG is the same think on this site as C12K. I think Holli4 coined it "People's Hone of Indeterminate Grit", because it's a natural and therefore has no actual Grit rating.

Also. It may come with a slurry stone. Ask for one if it doesn't (or contact Zib on here, I think he sells them). With the slurry stone you can make a little light slurry (a combination of rock and water) by rubbing the small stone on the surface of the big stone. This lowers the "grit rating" a bit. For example. If you had a norton 4/8K and you make a slurry on the 4k side, you may be dropping it to around 2k. Then as you dilute your slurry, you move closer to 4k again.

Confusing, I know. Just grab the natural stone, and start playing around. That's the best way to get it. I'd advise using your arm hair as a benchmark. IE: shave a bit of it before you use the stone, then do 20 strokes on the stone and shave test your arm again. Was it easier to cut this time? The same? Worse? .....

Have fun!!

Originally Posted by Maxi

Carl,

I took a look at the link above. You are looking for "NATURAL sharpening stone" on that site. It's a dark grey colour, at the bottom of the page in the sharpening stone category.

PHIG is the same think on this site as C12K. I think Holli4 coined it "People's Hone of Indeterminate Grit", because it's a natural and therefore has no actual Grit rating.

Also. It may come with a slurry stone. Ask for one if it doesn't (or contact Zib on here, I think he sells them). With the slurry stone you can make a little light slurry (a combination of rock and water) by rubbing the small stone on the surface of the big stone. This lowers the "grit rating" a bit. For example. If you had a norton 4/8K and you make a slurry on the 4k side, you may be dropping it to around 2k. Then as you dilute your slurry, you move closer to 4k again.

Confusing, I know. Just grab the natural stone, and start playing around. That's the best way to get it. I'd advise using your arm hair as a benchmark. IE: shave a bit of it before you use the stone, then do 20 strokes on the stone and shave test your arm again. Was it easier to cut this time? The same? Worse? .....

Have fun!!

And don't forget to lap it first

Your question has already been answered Carl, so I'll just say, be sure to have a word to that son of yours. He has much to learn when it comes to those lovely little tax returns. I used to do my own taxes, and freely spent the money on whatever (un) necessaries that I wanted. I made the mistake of marrying an accountant though. Nothing is secret in the financial world with her around, and spending money is just not nearly as much fun as it should be anymore.


Mick