I just ordered a kit containing a Norton 220/1000 combo stone, a 4000/8000 combo stone and a lapping stone. I also have a Boss barber hone and a Filly strop which is CrOx pasted on the back. I am wondering if the pasted strop will be sufficient for finishing after the 8000 grit Norton or should I pick up a finishing stone. Money is tight. Any advice would be great.
Finisher
- Thread starter Danricgro
- Start date
Honestly I use to shave straight off the 8K and doesn't feel that bad. I'd skip the crox as a finisher and use newspaper before hitting the strop. You'd be surprised as to how well the sports section does in a pinch.
If money is tight you could probably avoid a finisher or you could get on ebay and pick up a Chinese 12K (I think they are about $30 shipped).
What about the barber hone? It may be a little aggressive, but that should be an adequate finisher, shouldn't it?
Sure, it finishes when you use it for touch-up & a good barber hone can give a great shave.
I quite like my Chinese 12k stone. I reckon it does a half decent finishing job. Combined with my balsa strop I'm pretty hapy with the results I get.
So it wouldn't be appropriate to continue honing after the OP comes off his 8K?
I have a barber's hone, but TBH, I've never used it. I got it just because it was cheap.
I was just thinking that since the OP already has it, and mentioned that money is tight, he might be able to avoid purchasing another stone.
As long as the barbers hone is good enough to give a good edge (most are, not all, only a test-shave can give the answer) there is no reason as to why it shouldn't work.
Sure, there is "better" finishers out there, but a good barber's hone can give a great edge, with very few laps.
Try it, experimentation is fun!
I would get the Chinese Stone. IMO, it is one of the best values in hones out there and it is natural.
They are ugly and slow, but make a heck of a polisher.
They are ugly and slow, but make a heck of a polisher.
Given that he can get excellent results with what he has and that he said that money is tight for him, I feel like telling him to get another stone (that would offer similar results to his current barber hone) is missing the point a bit. The Chinese stone may give the desired results, but he already has a few options for getting desired results.
- Thread starter
- #12
Wise decision, good luck!
Try continuing with what you have, but if it doesn't work out the way you like just remember that a coticule is always a good decision!
