Razor needs to be sharpened; what hone to buy?

[iwanttostraightrazorshave]

I bought my straight razor about 6 months ago, and I have used it about 20 times or so since then. When I first got it, I shaved every day until I felt proficient, and now I generally grow my beard out for a month, and then shave it all off.

I always strop for quite a while before I shave, and I've never had any problems will dullness, but I read that 6 months is the point where just stropping won't cut it anymore.

I am a very DIY kind of guy, and I would very much prefer to hone the razor myself, though I am not so stubborn as to completely disregard other advice. However, I don't want to spend too much cash on this (definitely <$100).

I have had great advice on this forum before, and I was hoping that you guys could help me out again. Thanks in advance.

 

[Chimensch]

You can pick up a barbers hone on eBay for well under your budget and it will be all you'll ever need. You could also add a block of balsa with chromium oxide for not much more. Or you could get a small coticule, which gives a great edge. Lots of choices and others will join in.

 

[Bogframe]

My Norton 4000/8000 has done me well so far. Amazon has them in your price range.

 

[iwanttostraightrazorshave]

My Norton 4000/8000 has done me well so far. Amazon has them in your price range.

One review claims the stone is overpriced, and another didn't find it very durable. Durability is a major concern for me--how has yours held up?

If I could spend more around the $50 range, that would be preferable.

You can pick up a barbers hone on eBay for well under your budget and it will be all you'll ever need. You could also add a block of balsa with chromium oxide for not much more. Or you could get a small coticule, which gives a great edge. Lots of choices and others will join in.

The barbers hone sounds great, but I don't have any knowledge of what brands are good. Care to point me in the right direction?

Thanks for the help, guys.

 

[Chimensch]

The barbers hone sounds great, but I don't have any knowledge of what brands are good. Care to point me in the right direction?

Well, the barbers hone that I used for 29 years was a Swaty clone called the "three-line" and it served me well. You need someone who has actually used the hone to recommend one to you. I read somewhere that Glen, user gsSixgun is selling barber hones. I would trust him to recommend a good one. Why don't you PM him?