Waynecornwall
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Can I ask for a link to a recommended sharpening stone and angle guide for a straight please
Sharpening stone
- Thread starter Waynecornwall
- Start date
Estariol
Forum GOD!
If you have never honed a razor, i'd recommend sending it to an experienced honemeister for the first time, so you can have a reference point on the sharpness and feel if the blade. Based on your forum nickname, i'll guess you're a UK resident, and in that case i'm sure that @JamieM , @UKRob , and also some other members here on the forum can help you.
As for the stones:
I depends on your experience, but if you are a beginner like myself, i recommend the Japanese synthetic stones, like the Naniwa, King, Suehiro, etc. You'll also need more than one stone of different, incerasing grits. I have a King 1000 for bevel setting, a Naniwa Economical Stone 3000, Naniwa Super Stone 5000, Naniwa Jyunpaku (Snow White) 8000 and a Naniwa Super Stone 12000 for the finish of the blade.
The angle guide is the spine of the razor itself, unless it's a full wedge grind - in that case i can't help you, but the more experienced honers can. If your razor is not a wedge grind, you just lay the razor on the stone as it is and work on it. Most honers use a tape on the spine of the razor to prevent or reduce hone wear on it.
Waynecornwall
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Haven’t honed a razor but always used a whetstone for my chef knives, will look nearby for a honer
Estariol
Forum GOD!
The difference between knife sharpening and razor honing is fairly significant, the only sharpening you do with a razor is bevel setting, the rest is essentially polishing the bevel to make the edge more refined. You can shave with a blade that has only the bevel set with a 1000 grit stone, but it will be harsh and uncomfortable, that's why honing is required.
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
I love the idea behind the word "hone", to make something or to direct one's ability to make something more effective.
The straight razor has a spine that generally defines the edge that can be produced, unlike knives. It is like a built-in angle guide.
The straight razor has a spine that generally defines the edge that can be produced, unlike knives. It is like a built-in angle guide.
I guessed from your first post that you have never honed a straight razor. I suggest you take post #2 to heart. Depending on the condition of the straight razor it may require different honing techniques to correct problems with the blade. Yes, even current production straight razors have been known to leave the factory with blade issues. Do not, I repeat do not, take it to just any nearby honer. Send it to a recognized straight razor honer, as has been recommended.
Posting a photo of both sides of the blade might help with more suggestions.
Bob
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