Thread: Need Help

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good hone for a total beginner. I think it needs refreshing according to the threads here, but I do not know what kind of hone to buy.
ANy websites or hone recommendations would be appreciated. I just don't want to pay $30 for honing when I think I can buy a hone for $100 or less.

First, I suggest you read this thoroughly:
What hone(s), paste(s), or spray(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Second, if you just want a hone to refresh a razor that is starting to tug, then look at either a barber's hone or get some mild abrasive paste (e.g. chromium oxide) and apply it to felt, balsa, or an old strop. Tutorial is here:
Pasting a strop - a photo tutorial - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Now what type of razor do you have currently and has it ever been sharpened by someone on SRP? It's always good to have a few razors, particularly your first few, sharpened by a pro. There are people listed in our Member Services area that hone for less than $30.

It can be inexpensive to give yourself the right tools to refresh an edge; sharpening a dull razor to shave-ready will likely take a set of hones and the total cost will be more than $100.

Bonjour,

The type of hone(s) you need depends on what you want to accomplish. Are you touching up a previously sharp edge? Are you putting the initial edge on a new razor, or refurbishing a vintage one?

There's info in the wiki that will answer all those questions. However, the Norton 4k/8k combo stone is a popular choice for guys just starting out and pros alike.

I am just starting out and have the Norton 4k/8k. It was around 75 bucks on ebay.

I would also ask if your razor was ever professionally sharpened. I would at least start there, then you have an idea of what a sharp razor is like. Now you can compare what happens to a razor as it gets unsharp, and you should start with the easiest method first. I would use some paste and see what happens. Next you could go to a barber hone, which can be found here and on eBay. I don't think they make good ones anymore, so it will have to be used.

The Norton stone is good, but keep in mind a stone doesn't automatically sharpen a razor. You will have to develop the skills to do the honing, but I would still let a pro do it first so you know what it's supposed to feel like when you are done.

Also, how's your stropping? If your stropping skills are off you could be dulling the blade when you think you are making things better. Also, have you tagged the blade on the sink or faucet? This certainly can't help, and I do it all the time.

I'm not saying don't buy the hones and go for it. By all means see what you can do. But, you have to know what the razor should feel like when you are done.

Thanks for all the help guys.
The razor was purchased from a site on another forum that had fantastic reviews. My GF got it for me for a birthday. Its a dovo in black micarta and gave me very comfortable shaves except where I cut myself. So it was honed professionally and forma reputable honer. I haven't hit it on the sink. I actually wipe the blade as someone here advised. I haven't dropped it either so it should be ok. The only thing its cut is my strop. Its just not as smooth as it was when I got it, and I have read about barber hones an wanted to know. I have a carborundum 333 but found out that its not suitable for razors so I am not going to try it.

Well, I do have plans to send one to Lynn as suggested and have the address from him to send it already, but I'm going to be gone for a week and wish to return before sending it. It will be nice to have a comparison! I have been examining the blade with a 10x loupe, but have a 100x pocket scope on the way for closer examination of my results.

I still wish to learn to hone and strop as well as shave, and you can't learn by just thinking about it.

I did a careful pyramid hone and ruprazor filly strop this morning. Pre-treated my beard with hair conditioner first. I heated the soap in the micro. I think that was a mistake. My first lather was really thick, and the shave pulled pretty sharply. I re-lathered with more water and the shave turned smoother again, so yes the lather DOES make a difference! Still shaving with the grain WTG and learning more with each shave.

Dovo "Best Quality" 5/8 round tip
Williams shaving soap
boar hair brush from garage sale.

Originally Posted by JDeviere

Thanks for all the help guys.
The only thing its cut is my strop.

Razors do not cut strops by themselves. We do when we do not strop properly, and this is a common problem with novices (you should see my first strop). So, I think as your stropping gets better the edge will last a lot longer than it did this time.