Thread: What to buy for Maintenance and Minor Repairs

I have my eye on the 5, 8, 12 as well. I think that is sufficient if you do not need to reset the bevel. You would want a 1k to do resets. I have the norton 4k/8k and a Chinese finish stone which has worked well.

Just found the sticky post "Honing Tips From Lynn", which said:

The 4K Norton is plenty abrasive. I use it to remove small nicks rather than going to a lower grit.

and

Most small nicks can be removed with the Norton 4K stone and some circular strokes. The 1K is pretty agressive and really should only be used for more severe type jobs.

So, leaning towards the 3-stone set. But also looking at the Norton Combo 4k/8k. If I go that route, though, wondering if I should also get a 12k stone for polishing...

Ya, I'm considering the combo you have (4k/8k/Finish). That may be the right thing for me. It is a little cheaper to go that route than the set. And, I'm wondering if 5k (as found in the set, vs the recommended 4k) is rough enough to get the small nicks out.

Originally Posted by Neckman

...I tend to nick the toe of my razor against the bottom of my sink from time to time. Did it again two nights ago after having Lynn hone the razor for similar damage only about 6 weeks ago.

Maybe use a large plastic bowl in the sink, or a washcloth. I use a bowl. I use a pre shave hot washcloth, and I take that and throw over the spout. Just in case as a preventative measure. Welcome.

Most all of us use a DMT8C (325grit) for lapping the stones and major blade repairs.

You will need a 1k stone to start as it's the workhorse of all honing and minor edge corrections. Most all veteran honers end up with the Naniwa CHosera 1K. A Shapton, Norton, or Naniwa Superstone will do a great job too.

A combination Naniwa Superstone 3/8K or Norton 4/8K will do everything you could ever dream of when it comes to honing. I personally use the Shapton GS series of stones, but I feel that they are less forgiving & that's not what you want when you are learning to hone. These two will maintain your razors until you meet your maker.

For finishing, the first stone to start with most all will recommend the Naniwa 12K. It works well for touching up and finishing a razor and is truly the best bang for the buck.

My best bit of advice would be to find yourself a honing mentor. Without one, you will be fumbling around in the dark...you would get there, but with a few bumps and bruises. Why not just find someone within driving distance to lead you down the right path and build a good solid foundation to grow your new knowledge on. They don't have to be a badged mentor, just someone who is competent at the stones.

I just may have to use both of those methods (bowl & washcloth). Thanks!

The Norton 4/8 or the Naniwa 5/8/12 set up will serve you well.
The Naniwa 12k is a great finisher and adding a 1k stone to the line up is not an expensive venture.
The 5k can do a lot of work if you want to spend the time on it, it is capable of fully resetting a bevel.
From what you describe having don the extra couple bucks for a 1k would be well spent even after having used it only a handful of times you will have recouped the cost in time alone.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Most all of us use a DMT8C (325grit) for lapping the stones and major blade repairs.

You will need a 1k stone to start as it's the workhorse of all honing and minor edge corrections. Most all veteran honers end up with the Naniwa CHosera 1K. A Shapton, Norton, or Naniwa Superstone will do a great job too.

A combination Naniwa Superstone 3/8K or Norton 4/8K will do everything you could ever dream of when it comes to honing. I personally use the Shapton GS series of stones, but I feel that they are less forgiving & that's not what you want when you are learning to hone. These two will maintain your razors until you meet your maker.

For finishing, the first stone to start with most all will recommend the Naniwa 12K. It works well for touching up and finishing a razor and is truly the best bang for the buck.

My best bit of advice would be to find yourself a honing mentor. Without one, you will be fumbling around in the dark...you would get there, but with a few bumps and bruises. Why not just find someone within driving distance to lead you down the right path and build a good solid foundation to grow your new knowledge on. They don't have to be a badged mentor, just someone who is competent at the stones.

In my humble opinion, shooter is 100% correct! Especially about finding a honing mentor!

If you could include your location in your profile it would be most helpful. There just may be a more experienced member close by

Enjoy the ride, it's a long strange trip but well worth the journey.

Alright, I'm seeing the same advice from several replies here. Looking like I should get a 1k + 4k/8k or 5k/8k + 12k. Great! I'll keep watching, but this is what I'm thinking. Thanks to all of you!

Yes, cudarunner, I actually asked shooter about the mentor thing in a PM, but perhaps I should have asked here, publicly: How does one find a mentor close to them? Not sure where to start. Another forum on here? Not sure... But I think it's a great idea, and I want to do it. Please advise me here. And thanks!