I've been gathering straight razors for a few months now and have about two dozen. Some just need a little polishing, some need major grinding and all need honing. I watch the YouTube videos by Tony Corondao and bought a DVD from Bill Ellis and watched it. When my starter kit arrived I watched the DVD that came with that too. Then I put my two combo stones in to soak, yesterday, but it took me until today to give honing a try for the first time. After about a half hour, the blade was duller than when I started. I was pretty bummed until I remembered what Tony said about edges that have been rounded. Then I realized I had to remove a fair amount of metal to establish a bevel before I could really set about getting a shaving edge. I went all the way back to the 220 grit stone (I'd originally started with the 1000) and worked on up to the 8000. Finally the razor dry-shaved a little hair off my arm. I was a happy guy. I still have a fair amount of work to do, but I've finally gotten started. I used the cutter block to clean my stones and called it good. Tomorrow I'll go back and work on it some more. This is more fun than an erector set.
My first date with a Norton starter kit.
- Thread starter Rick Sparks
- Start date
U
Utopian
In order to keep the fun going, I'll warn you that you might not want to leave your Norton combo hones soaking in water for a full day. I have 7 individual grit Nortons and no combos but I have read of others finding their combos come apart if they are left soaking for long periods of time.
I have been playing with my DMT set this weekend myself. Not the smoothest shave off the 8k and my chro-ox does not seem to be making a difference, but I am learning quickly o the "stones" and looking forward to figuring out the tricks for the odd blades I have.
Definately fun
Definately fun
Yikes.
I haven't run into a problem with that and I've left my Norton in water before. No more though! I'm not going to risk it.
- Thread starter
- #5
According to the DVD that came with the starter set, there's no problem leaving your stones soaking in water for two days. I won't make this a habit either; it just took me a while to get around to having my first go. But if you're at work and suddenly remember you left your stones in the water last night you don't have to worry.
Congrats on tackling your first honing job !!
the only advice I can offer is to look closely at your 4000 grit, mine was very coarse, and I had to lap about 1/8" off before i reached a good surface and got better results.
I also found that I prefer the smoother surface left by lapping with a DMT 8C over the norton flattening stone.
the only advice I can offer is to look closely at your 4000 grit, mine was very coarse, and I had to lap about 1/8" off before i reached a good surface and got better results.
I also found that I prefer the smoother surface left by lapping with a DMT 8C over the norton flattening stone.
U
Utopian
I agree with both of you. I know of people who have declared they have left their combo hones soaking for days many many times with no problem. However, I do recall postings by people who have had them come apart, so it seems best to try to minimize the risk when possible. Of course, you can buy single grit hones and then leave them soaking for months!
