Don't be hard on yourself on the honing. It really is a learning process and the more you do, the better you will get. Some keys are to keep the razor really flat on the stone at all times and once you get past the first set of circles on the 3K, 4K or 5K, your pressure goes to weight of the blade only. Feel free to call me anytime and I'll help you all I can. Have fun.
great videos Lynn!! i am trying to choose between the shapton pro and the Shapton Glass stones, any major difference or will the Pro's (slightly cheaper) be fine?
Wastegash 007 The Pro’s are cheaper for sure. IMO, the Glass are worth the money in their reliability and consistency of results. Either way you’re good though.
Kamisori honing is a totally different method that what is used in this video. In many cases you may not even need to go as low as the 3K and if you use the 30K, it will only be for one or two strokes in my opinion. I just did a video on honing a Kamisori and I think I used the Shapton Glass Stones. It should be up here in the near future. There is a lot of personal preference involved in honing and I would encourage you to try all available methods to find what works for you best.
This is a hard one to answer. I have found that each razor has it's own shave characteristics. Two of the very same razors honed the same may shave a little differently. I have older ones that shave great and newer ones that shave great. I have had great shaves from the brands of razors you have mentioned as well. Personal preference, grinds, balance things like that also come into play when using different razors.
In my opinion you would be good with either the Naniwa Super Stones or the Shapton Glass. They are among the most consistent and reliable out there from a results standpoint. The Naniwa's have a softer feel and the Shaptons a harder feel, but both have excellent feedback.
I recently visited your store in Medina, Oh, and was impressed by all the supplies, nice store, I bought a felt strop and the .5 micron diamond spray, under a microscope it brought the bevel to a nice black surface, very nice. Is there any chance you'll get the .1 poly spray and the synthetic strop material in, thanks.
Thanks Jim! We are looking at some additional sprays and strop materials at the moment. I really like the felt a lot for all the sprays. In my everyday honing, I sometimes struggle for better results consistently when dropping to lower than the .5 micron though. Stay tuned.
Lynn I really appreciated this video. The title caught my eye because I have the Shapton glass stones. I've had up through the 8k grit for a while to use for knives and I got the 16k recently to use as the next grit after 8k with my razors. I only have two razors. I want to get a "nice" one someday and this process will help me when I do. Anyway, even though they didn't need it I took both razors through the whole process from 1k thru 16k just for the experience. I did the circular motion as you showed. You mentioned how you use 4 strokes or different number of strokes at different times. For now I'm using more strokes. I think in time when I'm more experienced I will get better results with fewer strokes. I got your DVD and followed your technique and didn't have the best results. This was about 10 months ago. But if I used the same technique with a few more strokes I got better results. I'm thinking with more experience the strokes get more accurate and fewer strokes are necessary. Or maybe it's a different type of "touch" between different people. I don't know. Anyway, I've been using your videos mostly and am now getting much better results and shaves than I was 6 months ago. I can feel the difference on my face while shaving as well as my shaves are closer now after one pass. There have been times when to get a close shave I needed to go over some places twice. This may have as much to do with technique as the condition of the razor's edge. Again, I don't really know. What I do know is my honing/stropping is improving as is my shaving. I'd like to say thanks for your time to make these videos as well as the SRP site. If I were to have taken on straight shaving without the help from places like this I wonder how much more difficult it would have been. Thank you.
For me, the circles allow me to remove steel quicker than just X strokes. I usually only use them on the 1K and 4K, but sometimes will use them for refreshing on finishing stones with minimal pressure.
On that budget, I would probably go with the Naniwa Super Stones. 1K, 5K,8K and 12K. You can substitute the 5 and 8K for the Norton Combo 4K/8K and also try the cheaper Chinese 12K. You can also try some chromium oxide or .5 diamond following the 8K and see if that works.
To me it looked like alot of the counter clockwise circles were just forward and back, I assume its harder to do the counter clockwise but is it ok when that happens ?
Don't worry about the speed. The main thing is to keep your pressure even and watch the wave as you are doing. You will get quicker as you gain confidence and get more proficient. Sometimes when people try to go to fast, they lift up either the spine or the edge and it will show both in wear and results. It does help to keep your elbow up off the table too as you do this process. Have fun.
Dear sir, suehiro gokumyo 20k is 0,5 mikron. Shapton 30 k is 0,49. Ao can we say that they are basically at same grit and should finish with one of them? Or should use gokumyo first and finish with shapton ? Ty
Great video Lynn. Watching you take off arm hair, I'm thinking you may run out! LOL I need an in person hands on demo. I hope to make the 11/5 meet in Medina. Thanks for these videos.
Thanks, A DMT 325 will work just fine on the Shapton Glass Stones. I usually lap them or basically clean them after honing about a dozen razors on them. Using the DMT or GDLP under running water works best for me.
You can try the Shapton 220, but I would recommend using the DMT 325 grit. It works well lapping under running water. The GDLP works best as it is grooved, but it is also the most expensive.
The Shapton Glass Stones are among the most consistent and reliable hones on the market. You can learn on them as well as use them for a lifetime of honing.
THANK YOU for talking about "clean-up" at the end of the video! I have been asking how to clean the metal particles out of the stones, without using the Diamond Lap Stone every time, no one seems to address this. Now I know I can rinse these stones under running water without harming them. Very Informative! Thanks so much! After seeing MANY videos about sharpening, I think I am sold on the Shapton Glass Stones. I would like to know what people think of the Arkansas Stones, from Soft, Hard, Black Surgical and Translucent. Some people just LOVE them and would never even think of using anything else, but it seems few people review them.
shannonandsheila1 Oh I'm so glad you have a sense of humor! Sometimes when I joke around, people take it the wrong way and get mad. I ordered some supplies. Lots of supplies...and am really looking forward to getting to work. I got some magnifying lenses so I can look closely at the Burr and see if the edge isn't curved over one way or the other. I...um...have a couple...okay four...Swords...I would like to put a "scary sharp" edge on them, but I am going to practice on a couple of Jack Knives first. I am so excited about learning this skill. My Father used to sharpen all of our kitchen knives on what looked like a Black Arkansas Stone. I don't know what ever happened to it...You are so sweet to offer to help! By the way, It's 4:40 here and I'm still up. Thank you again!
Thank you for the video and lots of useful info. Is it not recommended to place electrical or making tape along the spine of the razor, to prevent it from getting ground?
Guy Fisher I use tape when I do repairs that need more work on the Stone than normal or to protect the pattern weld on Damascus blades. Ina normal honing, not much metal is removed in my experience but some people do use tape all the time. Your preference will determine this for you. Have fun.
I was hoping you could help with a question. I have purchased Shapton Glass Stones for my Kitchen knives, Buck knives...I also have a few Swords. They contain more Carbon than the Stainless Steel knives. What actual difference would the Shapton HC Stones make in sharpening a Sword or knife with higher Carbon content. And is it worth buying the Shapton HC Series 4000, 6000 and 8000 Grit Stones to sharpen Swords, based on the difference they would make? Yes, they are expensive Swords. Thanks!
would you be interested in restoring a blade i have done the cleaning on it but could use some serious work it was given to me by my treasurer he is a RW 33Deg and my best bud lol but i want to get the blade polished it is a Snake Head brand made for Youngstown barber supply company made in in Germany
Great instructional video! Im new to shaving with a straight, and ive not attempted to hone yet. why do you go with lesser strokes on higher grit stones?
I got a set of Shaptons today and did two old razors exactly as you did about. Shaved with one right after and will shave with other one tommorow. When do you lap these stones? do I really need a $300 Shapton lapping stone to do these? This video was amazingly helpful. Thanks.
I have 7 straight razors and I've sharpened them all using the method you use in the video. My breakthrough came when I really figured out that "no Pressure" means NO PRESSURE! My question is this if I've sharpened all my razors the same should they all shave the same? I have a double duck, and a herder and a Wustoff that just seem to shave better than some newer ones I have. Is this Normal? Thanks Tom
I got a set of Shaptons today and did two old razors exactly as you did about. Shaved with one right after and will shave with other one tommorow. When do you lap these stones? do I really need a $300 Shapton lapping stone to do these? This video was amazingly helpful. Thanks.
Lynn, This may not be the right link for this question, but here goes anyways. I have pretty sensitive skin and have to make sure that I moisturize after a close shave. What do you feel is a good aftershave for us "sensitive men"?
Personally, I like the balms for sensitive skin, but there are several non-scented and made for sensitive skin after shaves out there. Give Don a call at Straight Razor Designs. He is really good with the soaps, colognes and after shaves. Happy Holidays.
I hone on Sharpton pro up to there 12000 I do over 100 back and forth strokes in Progression on each stone from setting the bevel to finish it will shave but I feel it can be better my Question is possible to over hone ? And I think it maybe a Pressure thing I maybe putting to much pressure through my progression thanks
Barry Hammond I think you can do too many strokes. You might try just 10 weight of blade strokes on your finisher and then test shave. You can always do a few more strokes. Good luck.
Sir, Thanks for the information. Under the Company's Japanese site the PDF recommends 3000,10000,30000 for the razors. You thoughts or does the Japanese straight razors sharpen differently? Not that that the 4000,8000 and 16,000 is terrible, manufacture says okay with these stones but the ultimate the claim is the one I pointed out.
Hello, thanks a lot. Why do you use do the circular motions in the beginning instead of the normal X-strokes with and without pressure? Does it have to do with being sure that you hone the whole edge more evenly? Thanks in advance!
i was at a shave shop in the mall and the associate said they didn't carry stones. he did, however, suggest bass pro shops. I've been nothing but iffy on that one and I'd prefer your opinion on the matter.
Thanks, Was going out tomorrow looking for stones.Love the videos you leave use with options. I don't have a Kamisori but was left a Iwasaki straight razor from a man who passed at 98 years old. He use to cut G.I.'s hair after WWII and I use to go see him after he retired so he could enjoy getting back to the thing he loved. So looking to get back to useful shape but he kept it in really good condition so not much to do on it..Thanks again for the videos, very useful information. Cheers...
Thanks for the reply Lynn. I'm new to honing. Sadly, honing my razors on the Naniwa 3k/8k doesn't cut it. Because of my skill, no doubt. I figure watching your videos will help me improve, although I clearly cannot do the advanced techniques yet. Hoping to get better. After I hone my razors, the shave is less than satisfactory. So thanks again for the honing videos, and also for SRP! Very helpful. Take care, Lynn.
Gold inlay. I was wondering if you would recommend using your thumb of your free hand to apply pressure evenly throughout the honing process or to just use one.
Wow. Thanks Lynn! I'll continue studying your videos and practicing my technique. One question, if I may. Does speed affect honing, particularly in the circles? Or is it like stropping, where speed doesn't affect it. I'm definitely keeping it slow right now. Watching the wave. I really appreciate the replies and the advice, Lynn. I'll keep at it :)
Hey Lynn love your work you've done my dovo for me before. I have 2 other blades that I would like to sharpen. One of which is a cheap not so nice blade my other is a puma with gold I lay.
Not really. The Shapton Glass Stones are fast cutters at all levels in my opinion. Good thing is that the swarf or metal particles rub off pretty easily under running water usually.
I used to have a full set of the Shapton Pro's. I found the little harder feel of the Glass Stones were more to my taste and actually provide more consistent and reliable results for me.
Thank you so much for these honing video's. I'm trying to choose my first hones, but I'm indecised between a coticule (smooth edge, a single stone to buy, varying quality, pricey for a good size), a synthetic set like the Norton starter kit (affordable, lacks a finishing stone) or maybe a Naniwa Super or Shapton glass set. I have a quarter ground Hart Steel razor that needs work. If you had to stay on a budget of, say, €200, what would your suggestion be?
What did you end up getting and what has your experience been? I am also considering to get a Coticule due to their lower price in comparison to a set of synthetic stones.
