This MUST be an FAQ, but I can't find the answers I want anywhere.
I am just starting out with straight razor shaving. I have bought a few razors in shave-ready condition, and will shave/strop with these and send them off to Neil or Steve as necessary to get them honed.
But in the meantime, I would like to start learning how to hone. But from two points of view: both "touching up" or rehoning a razor in active use, and also recovering ebay and junk shop bargains.
Now, presumably, from the restoration point of view, buying something like a 1k/4k/8k/12k grit progression of stones would be a more long-term cost-effective purchase. But in the short term, if rehoning a pretty-sharp razor is the aim, then perhaps a barber's hone would be better.
If starting to assemble the progression is the way forward, then it looks like the choice is either Norton/Naniwa/Shapton or Coticules. I think I would lean towards the former, and Naniwa seems to offer as good a solution as any without the need to soak the stones (am I right?) And being naturally messy, that sounds attractive compared to eg. Norton.
If my first hone should be a barber's hone, then where do I start? I've read that eBay is a reasonable source, but don't have any clue how to shop for hones there. If this is the recommended route, can someone help me out by identifying what questions to ask, or spot one currently for sale that would be a good bet? How much to bid?
I think I would lean towards a Naniwa progression. Ideally, Naniwa would make something similar to the Norton 4k/8k, as it sounds like this is a good starting point. I can't seem to find a better-priced source in the UK than edenwebshops.co.uk. (Is there one favoured by the forums?) They only seem to have a 2k/5k and a 3k/10k, neither of which seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. Perhaps I should buy a 12k or similar to plug the touching-up need, and aim to fill in the progression later on?
(It should also be said that I don't want to arrive home one day with a parcel containing a lapping plate, 1k/4k/8k/12k, Cr-Ox paste and whatnot in one go -- my wife would kill me. Buying one at a time and sneaking them into a gradually-growing collection will be easier. :twisted
Help!
I am just starting out with straight razor shaving. I have bought a few razors in shave-ready condition, and will shave/strop with these and send them off to Neil or Steve as necessary to get them honed.
But in the meantime, I would like to start learning how to hone. But from two points of view: both "touching up" or rehoning a razor in active use, and also recovering ebay and junk shop bargains.
Now, presumably, from the restoration point of view, buying something like a 1k/4k/8k/12k grit progression of stones would be a more long-term cost-effective purchase. But in the short term, if rehoning a pretty-sharp razor is the aim, then perhaps a barber's hone would be better.
If starting to assemble the progression is the way forward, then it looks like the choice is either Norton/Naniwa/Shapton or Coticules. I think I would lean towards the former, and Naniwa seems to offer as good a solution as any without the need to soak the stones (am I right?) And being naturally messy, that sounds attractive compared to eg. Norton.
If my first hone should be a barber's hone, then where do I start? I've read that eBay is a reasonable source, but don't have any clue how to shop for hones there. If this is the recommended route, can someone help me out by identifying what questions to ask, or spot one currently for sale that would be a good bet? How much to bid?
I think I would lean towards a Naniwa progression. Ideally, Naniwa would make something similar to the Norton 4k/8k, as it sounds like this is a good starting point. I can't seem to find a better-priced source in the UK than edenwebshops.co.uk. (Is there one favoured by the forums?) They only seem to have a 2k/5k and a 3k/10k, neither of which seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. Perhaps I should buy a 12k or similar to plug the touching-up need, and aim to fill in the progression later on?
(It should also be said that I don't want to arrive home one day with a parcel containing a lapping plate, 1k/4k/8k/12k, Cr-Ox paste and whatnot in one go -- my wife would kill me. Buying one at a time and sneaking them into a gradually-growing collection will be easier. :twisted
Help!