Thread: Quick question in regards to honing

Greetings;
I have been shaving for almost a year now I love using a straight razor I have 4 razors now. I just purchashed a DMT 325 along w/ a naniwa 12K stone. how long do I need to lap the first timje before honing? should I have purchased other stones or will this stone be sufficient as all of my razors are less then a year old.

V/R,
Zach

Just pencil in a "grid" on the 12K and lap until it disappears. If the 12K is not enough to get the job, that will be clear from the results.

You've got yourself a great combination there. I have the same. Yes, lightly lap the stone. Use the DMT sparingly b/c it's quite aggresive. Treat the stone like you are sharpening a feather on it. No pressure, just the weight of the blade. As touch up, I do 20 slow broad circles followed by 20 x strokes just as light and careful as possible. Repeat if necessary, but if your bevel is right, you shouldn't have to.

You will simply be amazed at how s-m-o-o-o-t-h that Nani 12K edge is. You'll absolultely love it... it'll feel like luxury!

Also make sure you know how the razors have been honed, with or without tape. I would do about 10 laps each time, strop and shave until satisfacted.

Soak the hone for about 5 mins before lapping, the nanis are prone to warping when wetted. The pencil grid technique works well to see if your stone is already flat. If your DMT is new, than maybe break it in with sharpening a few kitchen knives, the results will be better that way.