Thread: Newbie ? about hones

Hi, all. I've decided to take the plunge and start shaving with a straight razor. I'm such a newbie that I have still not even purchased a razor, let alone a strop, brush, etc. I'm leaning toward the Gold Dollar/Strop combo from Ruprazor. From what I've read so far, that's a pretty good deal for the money. I know that even after I get a razor and start using it, it will be quite some time before I need to even start thinking about a hone. I have a Spyderco Tri-angle Sharpmaker that I have extremely good results with for sharpening my assorted pocket knives, but was wondering if anyone here has had experience using one to hone a straight razor. The book that came with the set does include instructions for sharpening a razor, and it seems to be pretty much in line with other info I've found on the web concerning honing. Would this be a feasible option for keeping my razor shave ready?

Welcome to SRP.
The Rup razor set os very good beginners set.
As far as hones, I have no experience with spiderko, but knife sharpening and razor honing are different animals.
If you want to learn honing start with the wiki:
What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki

check out some honing videos on youtube to get the idea of how its done.
Get a cheap ebay blade ,avoid the brandes mentioned here:
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Gl

looking at an image of it, I'd say that I wouldn't use it on a razor. Also, I don't know how high the grit goes on that either... It is really much easier to hone on a bigger stone that you can lay flat on a table, or even hold in your hand as some do. the hones used on razors are usually anywhere from 4x1.5 on the small side to 10x3 for a pretty large hone. Most people honing razors would have grits ranging from about 4k-8 or 10k (some as high as 30k).

I know you said that you have a ways to go before honing, and I'd say that it's beneficial to send your razors out for honing for a while until you are actually using it with good results and stropping correctly etc. You need to have practice with that shave ready benchmark so that when the time comes you'll know where your edge needs to be for a good shave.

Sorry, that's more than you asked for... In short, I wouldn't use the spyderco tri-angle on a razor

I'm into knives, too, but I wouldn't use a Spyderco sharpener for a razor. The Rup combo is a good starter, and you might want to take advantage of his free sharpening offer before it runs out. Once you get the hang of stropping it will be awhile before you need to hone it. You can make decisions on hones then, or just send it periodically to be professionally sharpened.

Also, take a look at some of the less expensive Dovo razors. I think the quality is a little better for not much more (I have both), and the RR Filly can be used with any razor.

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

First off, you may want to consider posting this on the "Honing" section of the forum as you may get more experienced advise on the topic.

I send a PM to one of the Beginner channel mods about moving it to the "Hones" forum, since that's where it really belongs

There is a also a Wiki article that may help answer the OP's question:

What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I just made another post tonight about how I started with sandpaper and the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I can be done, but I don't suggest it. It's very tedious using them skinny little suckers...and they're really to coarse. You've got to coax a shaving edge out of them with some trickery. (Yes, I know, your pocketknives will melt hair off of the Sharpmaker. But true razors need to me in a whole different league, knives and razor really are different animals)

If you buy from Ruprazor you won't need a hone for a while.

If you're dead set on using the sharpmaker sticks pm me and I'll give the run down on how I got a useable edge off of it. I worked, but you'll have a much more pleasant shaving experience if you save up for a proper finishing stone.

In short, whether you have to save up or not, the $$$ spent on a hone designed for a razor is well worth it.

For what it's worth, I have spent several hundred dollars on sharpening "goodies" since those days of sandpaper and Sharpmaker, and so long as the bevel is set, and they aren't too dull...the sharpmaker is still my go-to instrument for my pocketknives. Razors and hunting knives get the full treatment though

I don't have any honing stones and I rather let professionals handle that for now.

I do have a 4 sided pasted paddle strop that I bought from Tony Miller. Each side pasted Crom Ox 3.0, 1.0 and .50. This does a great job of getting more life out of each straight razor before you need to hone it.

Pabster

These guys have pretty much said it all. Ruprazor is very reputable, I have several of his strops. Knives and razors are two different animals as are sharpening and honing. You sharpen a knife and hone a razor. Learn to shave first, one good razor will last a month or more easily. Your face will tell you when you need your razor to be honed again.

Again, learn to shave and strop first...then move on to honing.

The RupRazor kit is very good and will serve you well.

A good, cheap option for touch up hone is the Chinese 12k stone. Its fine enough that you wont overhone inadvertantly, and it puts good edges on the blade. I believe they're only about $30 or so?

Good luck!