Hone your own?

Jeltz

Jeltz

Messages
3,188
Location
Wiltshire
How many people hone their own razors here as opposed to sending it out every so often?

Should I have at least 1 hone to keep it keen between pro honing and if so what grit should I go for?
 
I'm just in the position where my razor is feeling like it's in need of a hone. I am considering buying a hone or two but a) they are quite an investment and b) I'm not an expert at honing.

The thought of bodging my razor due to my lack of honing skill is worrying me so for now I may just send it off to an expert for sharpening.

I am currently practicing on all the knives in the kitchen, not the same as razor honing I know but it really does highlight how difficult it is to get a razor sharp edge on anything. Plus I have no idea if the hone I have is any good...I may have to post a picture of it to get an opinion on what it is.

Cheers

Dave
 
I hone the straightforward ones. As regards hones, and pending the definitive advice from Neil, I'd suggest something in the 8000 grit and upwards range for simple maintenance, ie. making a sharp blade sharper. For bevel setting, it would go something like 1000, 3000, 6000 and then the finisher. You could probably do pretty much everything with a coticule / Belgian blue combination, though I'll admit that I haven't tended to get on with those stones very well, and it's a rather specialised technique.
 
I couldn't get on with my coticule, now with experience i find im really enjoying it, quite a nice sensation once you learn it as each stone is different.

I have always intended to hone my own razors. I have a dubl duck which had massive hone wear on the toe, that was fun honing that out, perfectly fine now and it's down to a 4/8"

Having a decent collection of hones is very expensive, i have probably topped £300 with my small collection.
 
For touching up, I had the use of a Spyderco super fine ceramic stone for a while, and there's a lot to be said for them: for one thing they're very, very hard, and supplied guaranteed flat. I'm sure that wouldn't satisfy some people, but this one really was. Not cheap, but should last for a few centuries.
 
Not sure about spyderco but my shapton needed lapping, so id take that with a pinch of salt.

Also spyderco seem to be the marmite of hones, some love and yet some hate them, i was tempted to grab their ultrafine at one point as it's much cheaper than the shapton, but the uncertainty put me off.
 
Yes, it was you that I had in mind, Huxley. The stone was flat, you can take my word for that; whether that's always the case I can't say, but if not the guarantee entitles you to send it back until you get one which is.
 
I use Norton combos 220/1000 and 4000/8000, Super Naniwa 5000 and 8000, SWATY, Guangxi and Nakayama Maruka naturals. The latter have yet to use.
 
It's the only razor hone I've got but the Chinese 12k, for about £12 with a slurry stone, delivered lapped, works for me as a touch up stone. I'm also told it is very hard and will likely never need to be lapped again for normal to light use - even as part of a honing progression. Neil recommends them as part of an 'on the cheap' honing set up.

Just checked and it's now £15 from the same guy.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Chinese-Water-Hone-Waterstone-straight-razor-/130347556778?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Collectables_Barber_Shop_Collectables_LE&hash=item1e5951dfaa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Chinese-Water ... 1e5951dfaa</a><!-- m -->
 
Seen them I'd kind of assumed that being that "cheap" they wouldn't be worth getting so thanks for the input I think that I'll get one.
 
Jeltz said:
Seen them I'd kind of assumed that being that "cheap" they wouldn't be worth getting so thanks for the input I think that I'll get one.
Click to expand...

Price does not necessarily translate to a good or great product. However the Guangxi has not disappointed me thus far. Good value to boot for its price! Only after reading mixed reviews did I realize that I have to keep using mine to determine its overall performance. That I wouldn't let anyone dictate or suggest what's good for me.
 
SiR-ed8 said:
...I wouldn't let anyone dictate or suggest what's good for me.
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Hear hear. The fact of the matter is that there are a number of different options, and it comes down to personal preference and budget. If you can get to an edge which shaves nicely, how you got there doesn't matter.
 
I have only recently gotten into honing, bought a combo and the chinese 12k and have had good results, though i am a long way from being competant, its fun honing your own razors, either from the vintage ones you can buy, or just re sharpening already honed razors, i also have a barbers hone which i started off with, and will say they are very handy to have if you just want to touch up your straights every now and then.
 
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