Thread: first hone

yep - one like the one randy posted. seems that the prices of these are getting higher, but there are still some that go for around 15-20. You don't want cracks and probably not chips either, just to be safe as you're learning (with some experience you can handle minor chips, but I don't think it's worth dealing with it - pay the extra $10-20 and get a nice one).

You're in Toronto, right? take a drive to Lee Valley Tools ( there are 3 of them in metro; downtown, east side and west side), they carry Nortons, lapping plates, Paddle strops, CrO honing compound, diamond pastes, etc. Prices are average/high, but they are close, they have everything you need, and they can show and explain to you clearly how to prepare the stones, lap them, show you proper techniques and get you going. I personally use their LeeValley 1000/4000 stone for the initial hone, then move up to a natural Chinese waterstone ( about 12K). Then a LeeValley double sided strop, one side treated with CrO stick, the other side plain. I just started shaving with a Tosuke, and that cycle took the razor from bread knife sharp to "Holy CRAP!" sharp with a couple of hours work. I use the treated strop maybe once a week for a coule of passes, then the smooth leather side does the rest.
Have fun!
Wayne

Gents, thanks again... your tips are invaluable.

Dragan, I did not know that Lee Valley carried this stuff - one location is on my way to work and will drop in this week if I can create some time and check things out.

I will be sure to let you all know what I end up with and how things work out. Of course, I'll still be buggin' ya with questions in the mean time.

My next one, for example: Flattening. How long does a hone stay flat for if you are using it exclusively for a straight razor?

For just one or two razors and used only for razor touchup it will stay flat for a long time. If used for razor restoration then I lap mine before each honing session.

Where do we put lithides and carbonarium stones into this (pardon the spelling mistakes on the stones..)

I have not used the lithide hone so no comment here. The Carborundum hones come in a wide variety of grits sizes. You pays your money and takes your chances. I have not been satisfied with them.