I decided to learn how to hone.

[Coler]

I'm a new convert to straight razor shaving. After mulling it over and reading a lot on this forum, I decided I would prefer to learn how to hone it myself rather than send it out - I'm just that sort of person, who if it is theoretically possible to do something myself, then I prefer to learn how to do it rather than rely on/pay someone else to do it.

So, again after reading around, and not wanting to break the bank here, I've ordered myself a Norton 4000/8000, a Naniwa Super Stone 10000 and a DMT D8c whetstone for lapping. Those seemed to represent to me a sort of a starter kit on a fairly modest budget.

I have two questions which I would be very grateful for your views on :-

1. Do I need anything else at this stage ? For instance I have a standard hanging strop (linen & leather). Should I consider another strop to put paste on and if so what paste, or am I good to go with what I have ?

2. When I bought my first straight I treated myself to a Dovo 'Master's' razor http://www.dovorazors.com/masters.html. It's not crazy expensive compared to some but at the same time its not something I want to ruin. It was professionally honed by the vendor to me and seems to my uneducated eyes to shave really well. Would it be crazy of me to try and hone it in a month or two when it needs it ? i.e. should I pick up a cheaper razor to practice on ?

Many thanks for your expert help.

C

 

[smalltank]

You need a 220/1k Norton combo stone..naniwa 12 finisher

220=removes chips on razors edge
1k=puts an edge on your razors
4k=polishes/refines your razors edge
8k=sharpens your razors edge to its max
12k=smoothes out the 8k harshness on your razors edge

 

[paco664]

You need a big *** bank account... You have no idea how expensive HAD is...

 

[Coler]

Thanks Smalltank. If I just want to maintain my own razor, as opposed to say restoration work, do I still need the 220/1000 stone ? Also, should I perhaps get a 12000 instead of the 10000 which I have on order ? i.e. does a 12000 cut out the need for the 10000 ?

@paco - sure. I'm aware. I have no intention of spending 000's. I just want a home set-up that I can use to keep my razor sharp is all.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[gumbo]

You need a big *** bank account... You have no idea how expensive HAD is...

+1

 

[Coler]

You need a big *** bank account... You have no idea how expensive HAD is...

Well, I'm fully aware that as with many things in life you can spend as much as you could ever want to. Assuming the *** of my bank account is not a problem what should I add to what I have for a bare bones home set-up ?

+1

Ditto - what should I add ?

Thanks for the help gents.

 

[Wid]

You could maintain a razor for quite a while with what you ordered. You will only need a 1K stone if you ever have to reset the bevel. You could do it on the 4K but it would take quite some time.

 

[Gamma]

Buy an inexpensive razor to learn how to hone with. Get something without warps, smiles, etc.

 

[rickboone1]

You need a 220/1k Norton combo stone..naniwa 12 finisher

220=removes chips on razors edge
1k=puts an edge on your razors
4k=polishes/refines your razors edge
8k=sharpens your razors edge to its max
12k=smoothes out the 8k harshness on your razors edge

Is the 220 the lapping stone, too?

 

[Doc226]

Buy an inexpensive razor to learn how to hone with. Get something without warps, smiles, etc.

Yes, also I would start with just killing the edge on a previously shave ready razor and go from there.

 

[smalltank]

if you want to "touchup" your razor when it tugs n pulls after 2+ months and ARE on a budget..barbers hone..a dozen light laps ....get a chrap razor to practice on..I got lucky with my own straights and never ruined any..but get a spare to "practice" on..took me 2 months then I honed all 5 of my razors..each totally different..

 

[AjaxLepinski]

This is a great thread...
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/283576-Lapping-film-try-it?highlight=lapping+film+try+it

 

[Kentos]

How much more would it cost to go all Naniwa? It is much easier to stay on the same maker of stones. Is there any reason why you went synthetic vs. natural?

Barring going all Naniwa, adding a 1k will help, and going to a 12k might be good too, but I don't know how well it will handle the jump from a norton 8k

 

[Weaselsrippedmyflesh]

It appears to me you've got everything you need with the exception of a decent but cheap razor to practice on. If it was me, I wouldn't ruin the only good razor I have just so I could practice on it, I'd keep it as a reference for judge my honing efforts by. You should be able to get a decent razor shave ready with the combination of hones you have on order.

 

[Krodor]

My opinion: Norton 4K/8K + D8C and you're set. Bevelset can happen on the 4K (I do it often enough), and 8K can give certainly shaveable edges. I'd advise that once you have those down pat, then start expanding, esp. if you are on a budget.

 

[Proinsias]

Sounds like you're good to go. I would keep an eye out on the BST and pick up a cheap shave ready blade, an ebay special or a whipped dog razor to play around with on your stones.

Find out if the the Dovo was honed with tape or not before you try touching it up, use the 10k lightly and sparingly to accomplish this. I don't think you need a pasted strop but a little sprinkling of chromium oxide on balsa or leather is a cheap and easy addition to any straight razor kit. I've not used the naniwa 10k or 12k but I've heard the difference is minimal and would imagine even moreso if a pasted strop is used afterwards.

It's nice to have a shave ready blade for shaving and to use a comparison for your first attempts at honing.

 

[gruntedshaves]

why wouldn't he just get a coti and call it a day?

 

[Krodor]

why wouldn't he just get a coti and call it a day?

Cuz
- he's already dropped the cash on the setup and...

- vs the synthetic route, cotis are more fickle/less consistent stone to stone, so getting assistance/help would be less useful (IMO).

 

[jpcwon]

Plus at the end of the day, coticules are an acquired taste & are not for everyone...

(ps - I'm just playing devils advocate...I personally love them!)

 

[Coler]

Thank you for all responses gents.

Picked up the lapping stone, norton and Naniwa 10k because based on what was reasonably accessible to me these seemed to represent best bang for buck to learn on as regards hone stones.

I would like to use a coticule in the future but it seemed to me that starting out these synthetic stones would give a sort of consistency which will be a good beginners baseline - I have never honed before, no idea what anything feels like, what to expect from higher/lower grit etc.

I thought in terms of asking for advice and assistance I would be able to get more useful and precise responses than if I started on a coticule because I wouldn't be skilled/knowledgeable enough to articulate my experiences with a coticule at this beginning stage, and there are much less variables with these synthetic stones.

Cheers again for all the help - I'm going to sit tight on what I have ordered thus far, and I have a budget straight coming in to me to practice on and I'm looking forward to that. It's coming to me shave-ready from a reputable supplier, so what I want to do initially is use it regularly to the point where stropping no longer suffices and then learn how to bring it back to shave-ready. If I can learn this for a start I will consider myself to be doing pretty well (very well !) and I'll hopefully have the skill therefore to maintain my straights myself.

As regards restorations, serious repair work - that would be another day's (year's !) work altogether. If I can progress with honing I will certainly look at the possibility of adding more stones at each end of the pyramid so to speak, or of branching off into natural stones etc.