So after much debate and reading, I settled on Naniwa Specialty Stones. I got a good deal on 5 stones, so I went for it. The set came with 220, 1k, 3k, 8k, and 12k. I liked that it came with the 220, because I have a couple that I am working on restoring and they may need more than 1k to get going. Anyway, my daily shaver was starting to tug and give irritation. It was time. I watched the youtube video from Lynn Abrams a couple of times and went to work. I bought the razor from The Superior Shave, so I assumed the bevel was good and skipped the 1k stone. I probably could have skipped the 3k too, but I figured why not. So I did 3k, 8k, 12k, then poor man's balsa strop from Larry. After that 60 laps on the leather hanging and took it for a shave. The shave was great! I only did 2 passes as it was late at night, but I think it is pretty much right back to where it was when I got it.
It was much faster and easier to do than I thought it would be. It took me longer to lap the stones, since they were brand new. I was so worried about hone wear and kept going back and forth over whether or not I should tape the spine. I decided not to, since the bevel was set without tape. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no noticeable hone wear when I was done. I am hooked. So now I have a couple more to do that will actually need the bevels set. I can't wait to give them a shot. I guess it is time to start looking into natural finishing stones!
It was much faster and easier to do than I thought it would be. It took me longer to lap the stones, since they were brand new. I was so worried about hone wear and kept going back and forth over whether or not I should tape the spine. I decided not to, since the bevel was set without tape. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no noticeable hone wear when I was done. I am hooked. So now I have a couple more to do that will actually need the bevels set. I can't wait to give them a shot. I guess it is time to start looking into natural finishing stones!
