Thread: New member - New Zealand.

Hey all,
23yr old male and have been bought two blades after constant pestering. One thing I am a we bit lost with is the honing stone.

First of all, I don't have one and I am wondering what one to get. I have been looking and doing some research and from what I have read I may need a 4000 and a 8000 grit stone, is this correct?

One of my blades is an old Bengall bought for about $12 which I will be testing on.
My other blade is a H. Boker of which I will admire until I gain experience.


So, I had my first shave with the Boker as is said 'shave ready' but I either had the angle wrong (probs) OR it wasn't as sharp as it needed to be. I did manage to shave with it, but not as close and was a slight tug. Nevertheless, I still continued and only had one tiny nick on my chin.

So apart from my babbling, I need to get a stone(s) can anyone pleeeease give me some advice on what ones to buy or even links of some cheap ones.

Man thanks,
Munster.

Hi and welcome. Start by reading the library and getting all the starter info. There is also info on stones etc. Do you have a strop yet. You need to use one between every shave. Buy a gold dollar and practice on that as bengalls are a good razor and not one I would stuff learning to hone. To start start with it is recommended that you get your razor's pro honed as you dont know what shave ready is yet. If you still want learn on a gold dollar and use your stones to maintain your already shave ready razors. Any more questions feel to ask. Good luck. Ed

G'Day and welcome from across the 'dutch' (sorry) There are quite a few of your countrymen on the forum who would (probably) help you out.
If I were you, I'd learn to shave and strop before trying to hone - but that's just me

I found out through trial and era that to hone a razor right I needed more than one stone. what I use is a 1K 3/8K 12K naniwa ss stones. the 3/8 is a combination stone. I get good results. others use different combinations of stones but do watch the videos on u tube on honing there are several and a lot more info on straight razor shaving and up keep of the razor. there is also a dvd on the subject that offers a lot of info. I think it's at straight razor designs now. also as Havachat45 said I'd learn the shaving and stropping first. anyway welcome and good luck.

Find a fellow Kiwi who's been at it for a bit and ask really nicely if they can hone one of your razors for you. Get an idea of shave ready first. Use that razor as the guide to getting your other (or a cheap GD practice) one up to a decent edge. Gold Dollars won't hold the edge from all accounts, but I've never owned one so am only speaking from what others say. Geoff (Havachat45) would know more about them than me.


Mick

Welcome to the forum. If you start with a shave ready razor, then you just need to keep it shave ready. Something like a 10,000 - 12,000 grit stone will do that for you.
If you want to make a non shave ready, shave ready then you'll need three or four stones. You need a 1,000 grit bevel setter, a 4,000 grit, an 8,000 grit and a 10,000 - 12,000 grit.

Welcome to the 'Place'.

Best advice was already given. Learn to strop & shave first. Any damage you can do to a razor on a strop will be magnified 10x on a stone.


If the razor tugs lay it flatter to your face . If that doesn't help your lather is wrong or the razor is not sharp or both.
You should really reserve the chin area for a time when your dexterity & technique is ideal.

So apart from my babbling, I need to get a stone(s) can anyone pleeeease give me some advice on what ones to buy or even links of some cheap ones.
Man thanks,
Munster.

Welcome to an older but better way of shaving!!!

Learning to hone before learning to lather, make lather, the angles and so much more or more important than trying to learn how to hone!!!

You need to learn how to crawl, then walk and then finally RUN!!!

Once you've semi mastered the above then by all means learn how to hone! I't can be very rewarding but then again it can be very frustrating!!

Please listen to the counsel that my good mates Mick and Oz have given you!! If you can't find a good honer in New Zealand please send your razors to Oz!!!! His edges are legendary!!!

I really wish that the shipping charges to and from across the big pond weren't so restrictive as I'd love to taste on of his on a razor that I've used!!

I'll make you a deal!!! You ship those razor to Oz and I'll pay 1/2 of the honing charges!!! You would be responsible for paying for shipping to and back plus any additional charges if Oz finds any problems!!!

Oz and I will work things out if you're game!!

Sanfte Rasur, mein Klingenbruder!

(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)

Roy