Thread: Hone Purchase advice needed

Hello

I just broke my Lithide hone (from Tilly, the only hone I had) - it was shot from restoring some junk anyway... been lapping 3 days to get it fixed and was ok on suction but still couldn't get the uniform color all over again

The question I face is: where do I go from here?

I know I like to hone my own razors and Lithide is not that good for blunt NOS. So I think I need a medium and a fine stone. I am also trying to go cheap. So far options are:

1. Buy ONLY Norton 4k/8k ($65), work out something for fine (e.g. balsa wood w/ paste or something like this) - seems the best quality option, most $$$
2. Buy a *used* combo Dubl Duck barber hone (Tilly, $30) - fine + med sides, cheapest option, only one stone to handle - seems quite attractive
3. Buy a beginner's set (3 hones: Lithide, Gem, and Cushion Strop Hone from Tilly, $34) - too many stones to handle, no box, etc...
4. Any other recommendations

I really liked Tilly the first time so I am very willing to spend some of my money there.

If anyone has something useful for sale please PM me

Thank you all
Ivo

I'd go for option 1. If you'll be restoring oldies, you might as well get the N4/8k, but I'd go with the 2" if I were you. That will save you some cash and still give you great results. Actually I wish they had one of those at Lee Valley.

I wouldn't be so hung up on the color of the hone. If it is flat it will work. I am a big fan of the double grit hones. They give you a great bang for the buck and can work almost any razor from start to finish.

Glen

Go fo the Norton. I didn't liked my experience with the barber hones so far...

Nenad

For really blunt/dull/bad edges you can use wet/dry sandpaper.
I start with 1000 grit but some people start with 600 grit.
This will remove any old oxidised, chipped edges and leave you with a clean, new, rough bevel. From there you would go to either a medium grit barber hone or a 4000 grit waterstone stone of some kind followed by the fine side(8000 grit).

Thank you all for the advice. I think I will pursue the Norton 4k/8k way.

Cheers
Ivo

Randy,

Stupid question comming up

When you hone on the 1000 paper do you hone leading or trailing edge?

I've got a razor at the moment that needs to be sharpened on concrete it's that dull

From what I've read, you should only have edge leading on stones. So paper means edge trailing. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Originally Posted by alfborge

So paper means edge trailing. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

You are wrong. You hone on paper edge leading. Stick the paper with double stick tape on flat surface, add some water and hone like you normally do...

Nenad

yup, edge leading on sandpaper.

Also edge leading on newspaper. Newspaper gives a very fine polish, I don't know if it's abrasives in the ink, or just generally abrasive paper, but it's very nice.