Thread: What hone should I get?

I'm about to buy a Dovo Best quality that is not shave ready and I only have the budget for 1 one. i have the choice between a naniwa 8000 and 5000. what grit would be better to get the razor shave ready and keep it sharp. I will also be using a pasted strop.

Thanks

In my opinion i would buy a dovo that is shave ready, and really get to know what shave ready real feels like, then the honing will come alot easier. But also i think that if you the got the norton 4000/8000 you could d some good honing, just getting 1 of the Nainawas IMO isnt enough to get it shave ready

Personally, I would have chosen to get the razor shave ready and then the only hone I would need is a good barbers hone for maintenance. If you buy a non shave ready razor you would have to get a series of hones in progressive grits, the cost of these would out weigh the cost of a new razor easily. It wouldnt be a bad thing if you were wanting to start honing, but if all you want is a couple of good razors, buy them shave ready.

Would anyone know were to get a shave ready dovo in Canada under $120?

If this is your first razor you need to have it honed by a pro. Then you will know what a shave ready edge feels like. If all you are going to do is touch up the edge you will need something 8K of finer. You can shave off an 8K edge but you will have better shaves off a finer stone. You can look for an old barbers hone or go with something like the Naniwa 12k. If you want to start from a dull razor then you will need more stones (like and not limited to) 1k,4 or 5k, 8k, finisher. The brand is up to you Norton,Naniwa, Shapton

Hope this helps
Stephan

Originally Posted by jesseblues

Would anyone know were to get a shave ready dovo in Canada under $120?

Look at some of the vendors listed on this site.

I'd recommend holding of on the hone for now. Learning to hone is an altogether different skill. I'd tackle learning to shave first. And learning to strop, which is often overlooked.

I second the recommendations to get it shave ready - with that, and your pasted strop, you should have at least 3 months, with proper stropping, before the razor needs to touch a hone (6months if you get it from a vendor who offers free re-honing). That should be enough time to see if shaving with a straight is for you.

Then you can buy a single touch-up hone. That's different from honing from scratch, which will require a progression of grits.

+1 on waiting on the hone...it'll be a number of months until you need one anyway. By then, you'll have a better idea of what you want.

Agree with everyone above. Buy a shave ready ( by that I mean a professionally honed razor) razor and a decent strop, then a barbers hone.

Originally Posted by jesseblues

Would anyone know were to get a shave ready dovo in Canada under $120?

No, but there's a razor & strop for $120 in the classifieds.
Razor and Strop set - Straight Razor Place Classifieds