Thread: question about japanese stones

I have these same stones, which I bought on FiReSTaRT's recommendation, and they work well. On my Norton I can get my razor to pass the hanging hair test with ease. With these slipstones, I can get the edge to cut the hair, but it sort of snaps it instead of cutting cleanly.

So I don't think these stones will get your razor quite as sharp as the 8000-grit side of the Norton. Using the 12,000 grit stone might fix that, though. I haven't tried it.

These stones do take a while to use, although you can get a slurry on the 4000 stone and then it works much faster.

I like them, though. They were easier to get the hang of then my Norton, and I still use the 4000 stone with a slurry to work out nicks.

How long it'll take to get your razor shave ready depends on what condition it's in. If it already has a good bevel and doesn't have any nicks, I could probably get it shaving in less than 30 minutes. If you're just starting out with honing, it'll take a lot longer.

Tell us a little more about your razor and we can give you some advice about how to get it shaving.

Good luck,
Josh

the razor looks brand new. I got it off ebay for 15 bucks, but its not one of those master usa razors. It has no logo but the words pakistan are engraved on the outside of the tail. Only problem with it is it hugs one side when you close it, so I have to be careful with that.

The other problem with it is it won't take an edge.

you just broke my heart, is this just a cheap razor.

Originally Posted by celticstone

you just broke my heart, is this just a cheap razor.

Unfortunately ..yes. The Pakastani's are not known for world class steel. The best steels come from Solingen, Germany; Sheffield, England; and Sweden. Most likely any razor with steel from there will take an edge nicely.

Ray

well, that will teach me to buy off of ebay before doing more research, because I feel that old burning sensation from ebay rape.

Celtic,

Don't feel too bad. I bought a "new" eBay razor too, and while I'm not sure where it came from, it was junk. The spine was uneven and it wouldn't hone up. I chewed my face up good with it a few months back.

Anybody have a good starter to donate to this guy?

Josh

There are $15 razors on ebay that will shave great. But none of them come from pakistan.

The steel in pakistani razors isn't nearly hard enough -- it's probably good for your basic knife, but razors need to be much harder.