Thread: NEWB's Shaving Setup Questions

Hi, Jim D. here. I have been doing quite a bit of reading on the WEB (over the past 50 some days since I became interested in Straight Razor shaving), concerning what tools I will purchase to maintain my Razors and I would appreciate some ideas and opinions concerning any of the items I am listing.

1. Belgian Blue 4000 and Yellow Coticule 8000 vs a Norton 4000/8000 combo stone? Would 2 individual stones instead of the combo stone be a better bet? Which setup is most user friendly and more efficient?

2. Strops ie: Latigo, Russian Leather, Linen and Canvas? Which one(s) would You buy and why?

3. Strop paiste's and dressings? Pumice stone to reset strop surface? Which paiste is optimal w/o having to buy more than one, maybe 2, if necessary.

4. I have seen Balsa wood boards which are impregnated with honing paiste. How valuable are these in obtaining the best edge?

I bought an older combination 2" x 6" combination hone from EvilBay which was close to new with a maybe 1000 grit brown bottom and fine cream top stone for $15. It works OK, but I am unable to get that HHT edge with consistancy.

I first bought a new Dovo Shavette, then a Dovo Black Star with red Pakawood scales. The Shavette was purchased so that I could establish a consistant 30 degee angle. I have a nice soap mug with decent soap and a righteous Badger Hair brush. I watched Lynn's video's on YouTube about making a proper cream lather and put the The Black Star to the test. The razor was shave ready, and my 1st shave was a pleasent Spiritual experience!!

Anyhow, I would appreciate some input concerning the hone and strop questions, as pertaining to Your particular experiences. Thanks for taking the time to help this SRP Member out .

Originally Posted by dmpljim

Hi, JimD777 here. I have been doing quite a bit of reading on the WEB (over the past 50 some days since I became interested in Straight Razor shaving), concerning what tools I will purchase to maintain my Razors and I would appreciate some ideas and opinions concerning any of the items I am listing.

1. Belgian Blue 4000 and Yellow Corticule 8000 vs a Norton 4000/8000 combo stone? Would 2 individual stones instead of the combo stone be a better bet? Which setup is most user friendly and more efficient?

Personally, I would go with the Belgian hones. You can try to get a combination stone, but combination or separate, they are an excellent way to go. The Norton combo stone is fine, but I prefer the natural stones. If you go Belgian, make sure you pick up a slurry stone for em. There are some in the Classifieds.

2. Strops ie: Latigo, Russian Leather, Linen and Canvas? Which one(s) would You buy and why?

Can't answer that Q, since I don't use a leather strop yet. I strop with the palm of my hand

3. Strop paiste's and dressings? Pumice stone to reset strop surface? Which paiste is optimal w/o having to buy more than one, maybe 2, if necessary.

Again, no idea.

4. I have seen Balsa wood boards which are impregnated with honing paiste. How valuable are these in obtaining the best edge?

I made my own balsa strop with CrOx paste on it. It works great for me! It's cheap in comparison, and allows me to work with my hands

I bought an older combination 2" x 6" combination hone from EvilBay which was close to new with a maybe 1000 grit brown bottom and fine cream top stone for $15. It works OK, but I am unable to get that HHT edge with consistancy.

It doesn't look like a barber hone. If you want one to just touch up your razors, search for barber hone on ebay. There are lots. And if there is a doubt, ask for opinions in the Auction forum here (posting a link to the auction you want info on.)

I first bought a new Dovo Shavette, then a Dovo Black Star with red Pakawood scales. The Shavette was purchased so that I could establish a consistant 30 degee angle. I have a nice soap mug with decent soap and a righteous Badger Hair brush. I watched Lynn's video's on YouTube about making a proper cream lather and put the The Black Star to the test. The razor was shave ready, and my 1st shave was a pleasent Spiritual experience!!

Anyhow, I would appreciate some input concerning the hone and strop questions, as pertaining to Your particular experiences. Thanks for taking the time to help this SRP Member out .

Got a nice collection going! GL!

Originally Posted by dmpljim

Hi, JimD777 here. I have been doing quite a bit of reading on the WEB (over the past 50 some days since I became interested in Straight Razor shaving), concerning what tools I will purchase to maintain my Razors and I would appreciate some ideas and opinions concerning any of the items I am listing.

1. Belgian Blue 4000 and Yellow Corticule 8000 vs a Norton 4000/8000 combo stone? Would 2 individual stones instead of the combo stone be a better bet? Which setup is most user friendly and more efficient?

Hi JimD777,
This one is a pretty common question, and a tough choice. Both of these options are good ones, it kinda depends on what you are looking for in a hone. The concensus here seems to be that the Norton 4k/8K combo is probably the most reliable, easiest to use hone for beginners, and you can always expand into finer hones on top of this keeping it as your foundation hone. Lynn has an article on the wiki on how to use this hone.

Other people really like natural stones vs. synthetic stones (I'm one of those). The BBW and Coticlue are known for leaving a super smooth edge, but it takes some practice to learn how to use these stones well. Bart has a good article on BBW + Coticule method in the wiki.

Some people use both the norton and the coticule (if you go this route you really don't need the BBW), using the coticule + water as a finisher step after the norton.

Finally, you can use just the coticule by itself, as with a slurry it is an aggressive cutter, and use a slurry dillution method to get to a keen edge-- this one is a bit tricky, but when it works it works great.

If you can afford it, get both... see what you like, then sell the ones you don't on the classified! There is always demand for coticules and nortons around here...

Happy honing,
-Chief

Originally Posted by dmpljim

1. Belgian Blue 4000 and Yellow Corticule 8000 vs a Norton 4000/8000 combo stone? Would 2 individual stones instead of the combo stone be a better bet? Which setup is most user friendly and more efficient?

There are no grit sizes for natural hones, cf Belgian Hones - Straight Razor Place Wiki. The Norton combo is probably more user friendly. Bart showed me how to use only a Coticule, and that works well - for me.

Originally Posted by dmpljim

2. Strops ie: Latigo, Russian Leather, Linen and Canvas? Which one(s) would You buy and why?

I would recommend going through the review archives. Bart and I swear by the Old Traditional strop by The Different Scent, but Tony Miller's and SRD's strops are also highly rated, and the webbing on the SRD strops works like a charm. And then there are the Kanyamas...

I would be more concerned about the size of the strop. I like 2" width best. Here is a comparison of an SRD Premium I to an Illinois, and the Old Traditional:

Originally Posted by dmpljim

3. Strop paiste's and dressings? Pumice stone to reset strop surface? Which paiste is optimal w/o having to buy more than one, maybe 2, if necessary.

I have never used a Pumice stone except to remove small nicks. Their price is negligible, anyway. As far as pastes are concerned, opinions vary. I do not use them, others swear by them. Finishing Pastes - Straight Razor Place Wiki should answer all your questions.

Originally Posted by dmpljim

4. I have seen Balsa wood boards which are impregnated with honing paiste. How valuable are these in obtaining the best edge?.

They work like a pasted strop. As far as "best" edge is concerned, I am getting the results I need from a Coticule and a strop. But that is just my personal opinion.

I thank those of You Who have responded to my thread thusfar! I can afford to purchase quite a bit of these items, yet I feel that it is prudent to buy those which will give me the fastest and sharpest, long lasting dissapearing edge, which we all aspire to attain with our individual efforts.

I am naturally attracted to the Corticule because of what it can do. I likethe idea of a 3" width, yet they are the most expensive. I see the 3" stones in the irregular shaped Cprticules and the 2" in the rectangular ones. If there be a 3" wide rectangular Corticule, it would be priced off the chart, IMHO.

I am leaning toward a Norton 4000 and a 8000 hones along w a Corticule and a slurry stone as well as maybe a Naniwa 12000 stone just to see how fine I can get the edge. As suggested, I can always put what I don't like up on the classified ads.

I have also seen those colorful 'Diamond impregnated' sharpening apratus's, yet my conscience suggests to me that they are not the correct route, am I right?

And Lastly, I would appreciate it if somebody could tell me where I could find a sturdy hone holder which has the water trough below? If all of my hones were the same sizes, a holder/work station would be sweet! Got any ideas other than having to design and build my own? Do share w me what You have found out!

Thanks for Your input, Jim.

Well, I purchased a Coticule stone which is a 15 square inch "Bout" shaped hone w a Slurry stone for an additional $12!! I believe I paid $102 for both stones delivered. I will see how this "BOUT" performs and then I will report what I find. Next, I will look up the thread on Coticule to see what I can learn about using it, as suggested.

If anybody cares to share their experience using a "BOUT" Coticule hone on this thread; please feel free to share.

Originally Posted by dmpljim

I thank those of You Who have responded to my thread thusfar! I can afford to purchase quite a bit of these items, yet I feel that it is prudent to buy those which will give me the fastest and sharpest, long lasting dissapearing edge, which we all aspire to attain with our individual efforts.

You may want to re-check your expectation management. The decisive factor is skill combined with experience. As I said, I have seen Bart hone a razor from completely dull to shaving sharp within 15 minutes using only a Coticule. No amount of hones will help you get good results fast.

Originally Posted by dmpljim

I am leaning toward a Norton 4000 and a 8000 hones along w a Corticule and a slurry stone as well as maybe a Naniwa 12000 stone just to see how fine I can get the edge. As suggested, I can always put what I don't like up on the classified ads.

Indeed. Since you got yourself a Coticule in the meantime, why not get a 4/8 Norton combo for now, and leave it at that? As I said, more hones will not make learning faster.

Originally Posted by dmpljim

I would appreciate it if somebody could tell me where I could find a sturdy hone holder which has the water trough below? If all of my hones were the same sizes, a holder/work station would be sweet!

Veritas Tools - Sharpening - Stone Pond - the holders are adjustable.

WoW; thanks for all the positive input and information; I do appreciate it

The EBay Seller just phoned me w a question and then allowed me to change from the Yellow "Bout" order to the combination of a 6"x2" Yellow and a 6"x2" Blue Coticule along w a 2"x2" yellow slurry stone for $125 delivered! I appreciate the input which those who have posted to this thread!

I also have a 45 piece knife collection which also needs some attention, so the hones and stones which I am trying out will definitely allow me to even spruce up the Henckels kitchen pieces!

The Norton 4000/8000 will come at the end of the month, along with a DMT 600 and a DMT 1200. I have a good sharpening steel, a couple of ceramic rods as well as a medium Arkansas, and a couple ceramic and steel combination wheel sharpeners; one with a scissor sharpener built inside of it.

I have an 18 year old Son, who has recently asked me to give Him a shave with a Straight Razor as well as asked me about how to sharpen the razors, so the hones and other items will definitely be busy in the future.