Thread: on a roll

so I've been straight razor shaving for a couple of months now. I have things pretty well sorted out- I'm getting nice smooth shaves. I don't cut myself much. I'm gathering a basic rotation of razors which I'm doing OK at getting and keeping sharp. I'm a woodworker by trade and have been getting stuff pretty damn sharp since I was a kid, but razors are pushing my honing mojo to another level. with tools like chisels and plane blades sharp enough to shave arm hairs is generally as sharp as is worth bothering with- whereas with razors that is just the starting point. I have a pretty good accumulation of sharpening stuff, ranging from a variety of grinders to a dozen or so stones to lapping plates and loose grit to strops in different materials with and without compounds. I teach a sharpening for woodworkers class. I think you could say I have an understanding about sharpening.

I have been honing razors on stones meant for chisels, which *mostly* works fine, but I'm looking to put together a dedicated set for honing straight razors. I have a usb microscope for inspecting what I'm doing- you can see some pics at:
<http://bridgerberdel.tumblr.com/>
what I'm currently honing straights with is:

600 dmt
1000 king waterstone
3000 diamond lap
8000 loose diamond on solid surface material (hard plastic)
chrome oxide on hard maple
iron oxide on hard maple
bare leather (scotch shell strop)

this progression is getting me nice sharp edges that shave well, but it's taking a long time. I'd like to rearrange things a bit. at this point I'm looking for something in the 4000 to 5000 grit range, and something in the 12000 grit range. at some point I might want to replace the 8000 with a waterstone, but for now it's performing well. I'd also like to have an extra hollow and a wedge, just to see how I like the way they shave.

I'm completely open to acquiring stones secondhand, and trades are just fine by me. I'm a woodworker, and I live in Arizona. the local "fine" hardwood here is mesquite. I also have access to most commercially available hardwoods if you want something specific. I would be happy to make razor scales or brush handles or what have you from it in exchange for your excess stones, straight razors or brush knots.

First the boring stuff. You can post a WTB (willing to buy) or WTT (willing to trade) classified ad.

Now the fun stuff. I would recommend that you use a slightly more flexible surface for the chrome oxide and iron oxide pasted strops. In considering a water stone I think that synthetics are easier to learn. As to brand king, Norton, Shapton, Chossera, Niawana will all work, but some are better than others.

Jonathan

I suggest a Norton combo 4000/8000 to start with.

You already have a King 1000 to set the bevel.

Have you checked out the JANorton postings?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html

Sunbird

Originally Posted by bridger

I'm a woodworker by trade and have been getting stuff pretty damn sharp since I was a kid, but razors are pushing my honing mojo to another level. with tools like chisels and plane blades sharp enough to shave arm hairs is generally as sharp as is worth bothering with- whereas with razors that is just the starting point.

You said it better than I could , razors are a step beyond sharp . I learned that 6 years ago . My hones for razors are , the Norton 4k/8k , and a Shapton pro 15k . I also have a small , Nakayama asagi , J-nat , but the Shapton 15k(or other high grit finish hone) will give you an excellent edge .