Hello from VT

[Makito]

Anyone in the area? I just bought a Dovo, but I need to figure out to put an edge on it. -Nate

[syslight]

First of all, welcome to SRP!
there are probably a few vermonters around ... have not seen them lately, for your first honing try the members services in the classified area there are a lot of fine honemeisters in there. where did you buy your razor from?

enjoy,
jim

[Makito]

Thanks for the welcome Jim.

My lady-friend bought the razor for me from classicshaving.com. I sharpen my own knives, so I am not a complete beginner on the honing front, but it seems straight razor's demand a better edge as this one pulls and catches on my beard, but by the thumbnail test is pretty sharp and has no nicks. I have an arkansas soft/hard oilstone I sharpen my knives on that I really love, but just don't know if it is fine enough for the razor. What do you do?

Cheers!
Nate

[syslight]

well i have a bunch of the toys... coticules, thuringens, tam o' shanter scots hone, shaptons from 500 to 30k and barber's hones so i do my own honing. your oil stones are way to coarse for razors. classic shaving offers honing options as well as most other vendors send one of them a pm and they will get an edge on that. i always at least touch up after a thumbnail test as it is harsh on a razor edge.

[Makito]

I may sound it out to Lynn once, but I want to be able to do my own after. What do you use to touch-up your razors? I was thinking about picking up a DMT extra-extra-fine stone to touch-up and go right to the strop from that, have you had any experience with that one? Any other thoughts from your experience?

[syslight]

sorry i forgot to mention the dmts... normally i touch up a razor a yellow coticule or the thuringen if it is from sheffiled, solingen and us made razors often like the 16k and 30k shaptons, but that is all personal preference and opinion. my 8k dmt always seems to produce a "toothier" edge than say a norton 8k or shapton 8k. if you are just looking to keep in edge in great shape a coticule or even a barber's hone will do a fine job of it. currently i do not have any nortons but i did have them in the past.

[Makito]

Interesting to hear the 'toothier' feel on the DMT stone vs Norton. Everyone talks about barber's hones, is that a term for a specific type of hone? Or is it just a generic term for fine stones? I guess my question is, if I wanted one, where would I start looking?

[syslight]

well it is an old gerneric name for the type of hones barber's had in their shops, most of them even say that they are barbers's hones ... mostly they are vintage brands like niagara, king, pike, norton, swaty were and are popular. you might want to contact glen and gemstar for a barber's hone.. he is a moderator here gssixgun....