I want to get into straight razor shaving, but I don't have a lot of money. I noticed that the smaller hones are oftentimes a lot cheaper than the bigger ones. What is the smallest size hone that a person could conceivably use to successfully hone a razor? (The hone I was looking at is 1" x 5" x 1/8".)
What's the smallest size hone you could use?
- Thread starter Victor
- Start date
In theory you could use any size hone as long as the edge gets equal time and you produce a consistent edge. That would be the hard part. If you want to use a finish hone a barbers hone can be found on the cheap with some diligence.
1"x5" is a little short and a little thin IMO. Thickness depends on the grit, but 1/8 will probably break if it's not backed with something.
1.5" - 2" wide by full 210mm long is the minimum I'd recommend.
1.5" - 2" wide by full 210mm long is the minimum I'd recommend.
The narrower the hone, the greater the chance of you adding something like a smile to a razor. 2.5"+ is what I'd recommend you start with. Maybe 2"
That said, they are very useful if you know what your doing.
That said, they are very useful if you know what your doing.
Sometimes we tend to lose sight of what our options are. It looks like you might be new to Straight Razor Shaving and are considering your options in the near future to keep your blade in tip-top-shape.
If money is an issue then here is an option you might consider. Get yourself a hard pasted strop filled with crox2 and use it after every 6 to 10 shaves. Maybe 10 or 15 light strokes and then strop on leather. That should keep your razor relatively sharp for about 3 months.
When that doesn't put it into shaving condition, spend the $15 and send it to one of the honesters and have it professionally sharpened and you will be ready for another 3 months of use.
The good side to this is you will always have a fairly sharp razor and you won't need to invest in any hones at all. The other good thing is it will cost you on $5 a month to do it.
Maybe when you have more discretionary income you can then invest in some hones.
Just a thought.
Enjoy!
Ray
If money is an issue then here is an option you might consider. Get yourself a hard pasted strop filled with crox2 and use it after every 6 to 10 shaves. Maybe 10 or 15 light strokes and then strop on leather. That should keep your razor relatively sharp for about 3 months.
When that doesn't put it into shaving condition, spend the $15 and send it to one of the honesters and have it professionally sharpened and you will be ready for another 3 months of use.
The good side to this is you will always have a fairly sharp razor and you won't need to invest in any hones at all. The other good thing is it will cost you on $5 a month to do it.
Maybe when you have more discretionary income you can then invest in some hones.
Just a thought.
Enjoy!
Ray
I actually prefer narrower hones to wide ones. My ideal max width for a stone is 2 inches - considering an order I just placed with him, Tom has a better idea of that than others on this thread 
I would recommend Victor purchase one of these sets:
http://www.bestsharpeningstones.com/catalog/belgian_stone_kit.htm
It's got one 2”x6” Belgian Blue, one 2”x6” Coticule, and one Slurry stone. I think it would make a great set for any beginner.
As for honing on small stones, check this video out:
(honing starts at around 3:00)
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-2761594301842672864#
You may not agree with everything he says, but I feel that it's a great video to show what can be done on a smaller stone.
I would recommend Victor purchase one of these sets:
http://www.bestsharpeningstones.com/catalog/belgian_stone_kit.htm
It's got one 2”x6” Belgian Blue, one 2”x6” Coticule, and one Slurry stone. I think it would make a great set for any beginner.
As for honing on small stones, check this video out:
(honing starts at around 3:00)
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-2761594301842672864#
You may not agree with everything he says, but I feel that it's a great video to show what can be done on a smaller stone.
If you're running out of money, I'd suggest buying a second hand old barbers hone (often 1.5 x 3-4 inches). The quality of the old hones often exceeds new ones and they can be bought quite cheaply.
Focusing too much on the size of the hone is a mistake IMO since a larger hone is easier to use when it is the full width of the blade. Going smaller runs the risk of making it harder to get consistent edges since sharpening properly using a diagonal motion takes more skill.
Focusing too much on the size of the hone is a mistake IMO since a larger hone is easier to use when it is the full width of the blade. Going smaller runs the risk of making it harder to get consistent edges since sharpening properly using a diagonal motion takes more skill.
Another good option might be to get a shave-ready razor, and then buy one of these:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004920/5985/Natural-Water-Stone--8-x-2-x-1.aspx
The Chinese 12k is a great finisher (albeit a little slow), and for $20 the 8x2 stone can't be beat. With a good strop, you could maintain blades for years with just that one stone.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004920/5985/Natural-Water-Stone--8-x-2-x-1.aspx
The Chinese 12k is a great finisher (albeit a little slow), and for $20 the 8x2 stone can't be beat. With a good strop, you could maintain blades for years with just that one stone.
I could hone a razor with this size, if it is a coticule. But I doubt very much that the size will make much difference in your ability to hone a razor - you are most likely to fail, by which I mean giving up in few months.
So, do yourself a favor and forget about hones. Get a razor that is honed really well and concentrate on learning to use it properly. Buy the Illinois 827 strop and do 25 laps on the canvas and 50 on the leather before every shave. After 50 shaves you may have to send the razor for a touch up again, but after that it should be good for much longer (as you've presumably gotten reasonably decent at shaving and stropping).
