Thread: Tougth on quarter / half norton ?

Personally, I hate short hones, so I wouldn't recommend short hones to anyone. Barber hone's aren't that bad, because you're not removing much metal on them. But for a lower grit hone, it would be unbearable for me.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

A few years ago here on SRP there was a trend to using narrow hones. Some guys took the 3" wide Norton and cut it in half lengthwise. Some guys felt that it was easier to hone a razor with a "smile" on the edge on the narrow hones. At that time neither the rolling X stroke, circle stroke nor the half strokes were in use/identified.

What the narrow hone is good for is to force concentration/control of the honing stroke. It works very well for a rolling X stroke but not so good for the half stroke/ Lynn's circle method.
It really is most appropriate on a finishing hone, not a coarser 1k/4K/6K. Improper honing on the coarser narrow hones can easily lead to developing a "frown" in the edge.
You may have noticed that a lot of the older natural stones, Escher, Coticule, are narrow.

Hope this helps,

Thank you, Including myself. When I actively sold Coticules, 1.5 inches wide were very popular. Now, a 4x1.5 inch wide hone could be considered a barber hone.
It may not be for everyone. As mentioned, some hones, like vintage Escher and Thuringian came in 5x1 sizes.

As I understand whipped dog, The site cater's to noobies, and sell's budget items.

Originally Posted by zib

As I understand whipped dog, The site cater's to noobies, and sell's budget items.

If a noobie can successfully hone a straight razor using a tiny cut-up norton (or a hone made for safety razors, for example), he is a rare exception. The hone is cheap, but if it is too small to use, the value to price ratio is no better than zero. The time and frustration alone would drive me nuts

That is not to say there is not a market for budget items, of course. It just depends how you weigh variables and what you think you can get versus what you want to pay

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

If a noobie can successfully hone a straight razor using a tiny cut-up norton (or a hone made for safety razors, for example), he is a rare exception. The hone is cheap, but if it is too small to use, the value to price ratio is no better than zero. The time and frustration alone would drive me nuts

That is not to say there is not a market for budget items, of course. It just depends how you weigh variables and what you think you can get versus what you want to pay

i'm a noob and I have a set in the mail... I'll let you know how it goes. I'll use the 1/4 nortons to set bevel / hone and a barbers hone to finish followed by a stropping on the poor mans strop from whippeddog.

Since we are talking about 1/2 nortons, I'll give you half my thoughts on it:

A ... down .... is ... of .... most ... things ... have .... heard ... . The .... is ... you ... severely ... is ... customers ... . I ... never .... buying ... this .... vendor.

... Luck,

James.

What did I Just read?

Originally Posted by AcousticRanger

i'm a noob and I have a set in the mail... I'll let you know how it goes. I'll use the 1/4 nortons to set bevel / hone and a barbers hone to finish followed by a stropping on the poor mans strop from whippeddog.

Why would you be doing this and with what razor may I ask?

I'm doing this because I'm poor and want to give honing a go... I'll use a flee market find to practice with. I'll share here because I think the 1/4 hones will work fine but either way others might benefit from hearing from someone who actually USED the hones in question.

Originally Posted by AcousticRanger

I'm doing this because I'm poor and want to give honing a go... I'll use a flee market find to practice with. I'll share here because I think the 1/4 hones will work fine but either way others might benefit from hearing from someone who actually USED the hones in question.

I am happy for you; in the regard that you are approaching this subject of honing with enthusiasm. I started my honing journey 3 years ago with some basic skills in knife sharpening & I was fortunate enough to get the equipment that I wanted in the beginning. Knowing what I do now, about getting a razor from bevel set, to a comfortable shave; I hate to think that I would have started my journey down the path you are considering. Your choice to use a 1/4 Norton to set bevels & a "flea market find" to practice on, will be difficult & test the enthusiasm you now have.
I'm not going to list the reasons why I think you should reconsider the equipment you plan on starting with; instead I would like for you to keep us informed with your progress.

Please share with us photos, your routine & ultimately a SOTD (Shave of the Day) posting with your successful journey.

I say, give it a try. Through out my life I have had to make do with little or nothing or with what ever was cheapest. The people I often worked for would spend a quarter to save a nickle. what I have learned from doing things like this teaches me tons that no one else could. I think in your case, no mater what, it is a learning experience. The great thing about this site is that no matter what, there is always someone who will be able and willing to answer your question. Just remember to be patient with yourself and your work and I think it will turn out fine.