How to Hone a Straight Razor: Step 2 Honing

[@jerrysmith372]

Nice! Now I know I was doing it totally wrong. Looks like I have a lot of work to do to correct my mistakes. Thanks for the education.

[@southernblueblood5402]

Thank you for this video, I spent about 45 min for a simple video on honing a straight razor and most of them the guy was going a mile a minute, not explaining anything. It was more of a look at how fast and good I am, not actually teaching the method of how to properly hone your razor let alone the stones.

[@TheGearhead222]

I've seen several other people and their methods, and , so far, yours appear to be the most practical. I learned how to shave with a straight razor several years ago, but got burnt out trying to set the bevel and switched to disposable blade straight razors. Could NOT find anyone locally to teach me how to set the bevel. Have been told that this is THE most difficult part of razor honing and that needs to be taught one on one

[@Vaijykone]

There's something very relaxing about this video, really nice.

[@omarmason9642]

instablaster...

[@claytonhickey4591]

Just honed a razor using this technique and am AMAZED by both how well it works & how easy it was! Absolutely love these videos; keep up the good work guys!

[@youme77324]

Great video. I like how you used magnifying glass under the light. I also like the sample image “property of..”

[@scubajay11]

I love the whole "how to, hands on" videos made on your channel. Very helpful indeed for those of us looking to maintain our shave tools. Thank you and keep the videos coming!

[@RazorEmporium]

Jason thank you! We have a list of about 80 more videos to make ;)

[@JoDidntHearYou]

This is literally the best one out of all honing videos I've seen. Thank you!

[@MrPolovinaMozga]

Heismyrock3 You've not seen any good honing videos then. Sorry.

[@toddf9321]

Thank you for producing this instructive video. I learn to hone a straight during barber college and it was one of my weakest areas. I wish I had you as the instructor...perhaps my skill would be more developed. Watching this make me want to try further.

[@channinghatcher8580]

This is by far the most informative video I have seen on this. Thank you so much and keep up the great work

[@danieldmyers]

You just made a subscriber outta me buddy. Absolute best video set on straight razor honing I’ve yet to see. I appreciated your side tip about starting over if you find a frown later on in the process, that’s something I was wondering about myself.

[@myblueskynight]

Fascinating! I really enjoy the history and watching artists preform their craft! I am watching all of your videos from the oldest to newest at lunch everyday at work. Just fascinating, thank you for keeping the art of shaving alive in this digital age!

[@happystoat99]

You, sir, are a true artisan

[@Samb499]

I am not sure which of the mistakes made the most difference Not leveling the stones, Improper stone stroke(s), improper to strop stroke(s) But I had hours in attempting to get my razors shave worthy but to no avail. Now I need about 30-40 minutes for a magnificent edge Thank You so much

[@chewbacca7856]

Great video. I got a Boker you sharpened and it is as sharp as any double edge razor blade i have ever used. I've heard that a SR is not as sharp as a shavette but that has not been my experience using the Boker you honed.

[@trueblu8]

Love that honing sound. 🎶

[@markandrew5663]

Will probably send it out to have it honed professionally. This is a nice video to keep it sharp until you do want to send it out. Nice job!

[@danielstrobel3832]

I´m about to sharpen my straight razor first time myself! From all the videos I´ve seen so far this semes to be the best out there!

[@MrSilvestre587]

Are Naniwa Superstones the ones shown in the video? Awesome work!

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes

[@inspectorgadget346]

Eric I look forward to you honing my Boker coming to you on Wednesday? Besides shave ready from the manufacturer you will be the first to hone it and I am glad to use your services? I have a few spots on the carbon steel on it; perhaps from nit drying it correctly when I first got it. Do you have specifics on the type of whetstones you use to hone. I would love to start attempting to hone correctly. Was going to use your honing to get a baseline for what a professional hone should be,

[@abdullahmenevse]

well done master congratulations

[@mvyper]

Informative and very relaxing to watch, too!

[@spider1g5]

What tape is that?

[@RazorEmporium]

3m

[@senpai16]

​@@RazorEmporium is he changing out tape at anypoints and it's just edited out, or is this tape just that durable he doesn't need to?

[@BredoLab]

Thanks for such educating video. I have a couple of questions: 1. What wet stones do you recomend / use to hone the blade for 1k, 3k, 6k grit respectively. 2. Is it good to use stones from different companies / product lines within the same company (like, suehiro cerax, new cerax or naniwa super stone / traditional etc)?

[@emremusovi1697]

Thank you for the video. I assume that after 12 k we will not apply any paste and go to leather strop only ? Ty

[@tylergiesen564]

Hello @RazorEmporium, great video! I'm curious if you have a preference in the type of tape you use for the spine? Thanks!

[@RazorEmporium]

3m

[@wayneparker9331]

Great video!! Very informative and I learned a lot. I have one question. How often do you sharpen the straight razor blade with the stones (I write "sharpen" because I always understood the difference between sharpening and honing a razor was that former removed metal to shape the blade's edge as you did in the video while the honing/stropping process was smoothing out the folded over edge of the razor, i.e. essentially restoring it to its original shape.)?

[@user9b2]

It would be interesting to see the edge under the 12x loop after the stroping.

[@nikospap8470]

Great video! Afrer the chosera 1K the 3k,6k and the 12k are they the naniwa super stones? Thank you.

[@shaunmaharaj9851]

what stones are those? do you have any recommendations? it looked like those stones were wide enough to avoid doing an x pattern.

[@NorthernContrarian]

That tape, it will change the angel of the grind. As far as I've understood these razors are designed so that you are supposed to use the back of it when sharpening it. As material disappears at the edge so should it do at the back thus always keeping the angle the same as the razor ages and goes through more sharpenings. It's like sacrificial material.

[@BerserkeR_031]

The tape is 0.17mm thick... Any expensive damascus steel or fancy spice work will get covered by tape. If needed just use a 2K whetstone to set a new edge and move on to 5k 8k 12k. Maybe if the geometry gets really bad you can do it without tape and redo the etching on a damascus steel razor in some acid... But so many people hone with tape on the spine, it really shouldn't matter if you don't have any big chips in the razor.

[@matthewwilson1226]

That was my understanding also.

[@losmoore3358]

How often do u hone ? How often do u have to sharpen the blade ?

[@RazorEmporium]

there is no set time. It's based on usage and hair type. Typically plan on it being done 3-5 times a year with regular usage. thx

[@johngoard8272]

Hello Eric have watched quite a few different honing sites now an I must say I am very impressed with you techniques and attention to detail. I thought your point about starting from scratch again when you have a blemish on an edge was exacting what I would be thinking. Thanks again for a great video especially as you never rushed it and I could follow with out having to jump back a few frames at times as with many they go too fast when explaining things.

[@mobius-1503]

This was satisfying to watch. The calmness and attention to detail you did was great and informive thanks alot. How much pressure is applied though. Just weight of the wrist passes?

[@anthonymerola1489]

thank you for that most informative video. I need to buy a 12K stone. The other two I have are 1K and 6K grit. I just learned about "frowns" , which may explain the odd results I get when I shave with a particular razor I have, a vintage one at that.

[@anthony-ju6qo]

I Inherited 4 Rolls Razors in Very good to New condition. I called Razor Emp ( you guys) and wanted $45 to sharpen each blade 😮. I'm going to invest in these stones and do it myself.

[@RazorEmporium]

That is correct. They take even longer than a normal straight razor blade due to the difficulty in holding them.

[@clarkpd1]

Great video, lots of info for the beginner. Can you tell me where you get your stones from please? Also i couldn`t make it out in the video, is the taped spine actually touching the stone or held away from it?

[@scooterdoo1]

It is touching the stone to ensure the correct angle. I’m not sure about the stones though.

[@DNHarris]

SR n00b here. I have been considering getting a DOVO Arena Luna at some point in the next year. The Area line has a famous quote by TR on one side and a lion head profile on the other. First do modern German steel like DOVOs need honing from the factory? If not, how frequent must you hone? Superficial, I know, but will honing wear away at the quote?

[@RazorEmporium]

I would say modern dovo razors are good to shave with from factory

[@russellr1509]

Great video Thank you

[@cliffbower4210]

Nice work Eric. Much appreciated.

[@westinmw]

Very informative, it's there a certain angle you should go for?

[@RazorEmporium]

Angle is set by the razor itself. Lay flat on stones.

[@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531]

Excellent video.

[@Gollammeister]

Do u apply pressure and I thought u was supposed to draw blade edge away from yourself not against the blade edge

[@gordongman3423]

Thanks for the how to Bro.

[@Seraph137]

What loupe are you using? I know you mentioned a 15x, would 20x be too much? Also, what brand loupe?

[@RazorEmporium]

Look for stuff on Amazon. Brand isn't important

[@subarududewrxt]

Is a 12k stone enough or would a coticule or imperial la roccia be needed to a finished hone

[@RazorEmporium]

12k is a good finishing stone - some prefer others as you mentioned as well.

[@subarududewrxt]

Thank you

[@knightmare1015]

What stones is the 6K?

[@KENNETHCARNIE]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@ondrejziak2948]

How about honing brand new razor? Any videos/articles on how to prep blade for first shave?

[@Bigdaddybbq-t8g]

How often are you supposed to sharpen a straight razor?

[@RazorEmporium]

Whenever the stropping isn't enough to make it feel comfortable.

[@parthvaidya8032]

When honing do you need to use a loop?

[@duppy666.]

So if the edge is reflecting light at the heel but not at the toe would you work more on the the toe rather than put pressure on the heel to try to get it as sharp as the toe end?

[@Haines9032]

Does anyone know which brand of stones is being used? Many thanks

[@RazorEmporium]

naniwa and shapton

[@moderndaygrinch]

Why do we strop with the heel leading, but sharpen with the edge leading

[@BP-ck5xo]

Enjoyed the video. I understand that to get a super sharp, professional hone, one would need to use the 4 different grit stones, but if someone (me) was getting into this and couldn't get all 4 grits, what would you recommend to start out with? Or, would I be wasting time/money in the long run by only using 1 or 2 stones? Thanks! Brian

[@MrPolovinaMozga]

B P Getting into honing is best done with a few shave-ready, pro-honed razors and a single finishing stone, such as the Naniwa 12K shown here. Learn how to touch-up (refresh a razor's edge) first, then everything else. Once you start acquiring antique, there is no way you can get by using 2 stones. New razors may be easier, where you could use a 2K stone and a really (but really really) good coticule to have you going for years, maybe even a lifetime.

[@GabrielBabuch]

This is a year old, but I hope the advice still is applicable. If you want to get just 2 stones, I recommend getting a 4K/8K combo, and a 12K stone (plus the strop). For a new blade, it should be more than enough.

[@GeorgeElEmery]

Helpful for me! Thanks!

[@ping_me1vp]

Get a dual stone 4/8k grit or a very good Jnat with mikawa but. Dual stone is a cheap method they even jave some good ones on amazon foe $20 now a days

[@VolkovVelikan]

I only have the 1k stone but it is still dull, I think even much duller than before, am I doing something wrong or do I need the other stones?

[@RazorEmporium]

It all starts with setting a bevel

[@VolkovVelikan]

@@RazorEmporium a what?

[@stevencamfield5461]

Thank you for this :)

[@thewanderer1191]

Do I need that insane grit to achieve that sharpness?

[@BradMaestas]

I've already been down some of the path with stones for my Japanese knives but one question that still eludes me is this: does the spine tape and a dead flat stone work with a full hollow grind? I'm seeing quite a few intentionally concave stones out there as well but I have zero experience with them so far. I'm still scouring the forums for info.

[@BrettYoakum]

any recommendations on what stones to get?

[@dudestyle01]

It says at the bottom of the video screen 1K.....3K.....6K.....12K

[@RevvedIron65]

Interesting video but... what can cause a frown? If the stone is flat, I do not see how it can happen unless the razor is warped or something?

[@Timmythadancer]

What is the tape used? It looks like electrical tape, but I can’t really tell

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes electrical tape

[@icer22x]

After you get to 12K and strop, then you shave for a few days, how to you resharpen? Just strop it? Or run it on the 12K again?

[@StoneyStone47]

Is the DMT green whetstone enough for straight razors?

[@RazorEmporium]

No

[@StoneyStone47]

@@RazorEmporium finding that out the hard way after spending the money. what do you recommend?

[@TheOneAndOnlySame]

How come the tape doesn't get shredded on the stone? Also, if the spine doesn't get thinner as the blade is sharpened over the years, the angle will go more obtuse . The spine has to be sharpened along to maintain the correct angle and you said the exact opposite, which doesn't make any logical sense.

[@NethervvoidBuilds]

Hmm. This does make sense. Would love to hear a reply to this from @RazorEmporium.

[@darkfluteman4622]

Which one you stick on the razor before sharpening?

[@inspectorgadget346]

Are you using RO DI water or just regular tap?

[@RazorEmporium]

Di

[@ivanvasiliev5946]

That was awesome!

[@RazorEmporium]

thank you!

[@youknowvin]

How much pressure is being applied?

[@RazorEmporium]

Enough to keep it flat and straight

[@voicedify]

How much should all of these stones cost? Where should I buy them?

[@mnaqvi5929]

do you have a dvd for that .....i want to learn i try many time but cant make razor sharpe edge ...

[@codywilson7009]

Do you have to hone every time after you shave with a straight razor?

[@RazorEmporium]

No. But you must strop.

[@milesmurphy4329]

this may have ben asked already but how much pressure are you using?

[@milesmurphy4329]

Thank you

[@pleasewait1844]

Thank you

[@eddiev4255]

Seen that someone already asked this but did not see a response. How much pressure are you using? Putting more pressure on the blade or spine?

[@jameslamb2259]

I can’t seem to find any 12x anywhere, got a 40x but it’s super hard to use lol, any advice?

[@gabez8]

are 12k stone really necessary? is a 4k/8k stone enough?

[@ajhoward8888]

I'm a little fuzzy on the technique he's using here. I suspect that he's doing it the way that he is with constantly alternating strokes to avoid the creation of any kind of burr. Mostly because I'm guessing that the blade behind the apex may be too thin to survive losing the wire. I'm too used to sharpening knives and tools where you work one side until you find the burr and then flip. Does anyone know the theory behind the process difference for straight razors?

[@brooklynproduction]

Thank you for GREAT VID :) Thumbs UP ! 153

[@keithwong7031]

Is the magnifying loop absolutely necessary? 😭 Don't wanna have to spend moree

[@jerrycornelius6335]

Is 12K about 1.5 microns- 6K 4microns-3k 7microns-1k 18 microns... as an average(IE the chart does not give 1.75mcrns increments and gives 13k but not 12k etc) I just want to know if the conversions are roughly correct ? ?

[@belowzero5817]

Okay I have a question let’s say I just finished honing my razor and it almost passes the hht but not quite it tugs a little on the hair, could I make rounds on my whetstone starting from my 10,000 whetstone or would I have to start all the back from 1,000 and slowly make my way up to the higher grits

[@michaelsterling7150]

I'm new to straight razors, my question is how much metal are you removing by doing that many laps on each stone, and how many years would the razor last if you do a lot of laps during honing?

[@MICKIN310]

my estimate 50 years doing this every 2 months shaving daily

[@silviamelo2665]

Wouldnt this method wear out the spine of the razor? shouldn't it be a 45-degree angle? Genuinely asking. I took mine to be sharpened by a "professional" and he severely wore out the spine another real professional told me it looked like a 80-year-old razor.

[@johnnyboydianno]

Actually what happens is tape prevents the spine from wearing and over time your edge will be shorter then the factory angle thus changing your shaving angle when applied to your face cheers

[@brandomarch6772]

Where'd you get those stones?

[@TheZachary86]

I've seen a lot of videos using 4K - 8K Grit. Is there any problem if I jump from 1K to 4K?

[@ShopSmallUS]

so i am new to this, i have dovo straight razor,? do you know which grit stone to use for DOVO? which on razor you recommend for a barber shop, where i do 6 beard line ups, shaves per day?

[@RazorEmporium]

A shavette. Are you able to use a real straight razor?

[@estafeta2002]

which brand of stones do you use?

[@RazorEmporium]

Naniwa and Chosera. thanks!

[@skateboardist1686]

Iv just found out tonight that those exact stones are no longer made, well the stone can be obtained but the it will not be attached to a wooden base. The company stopped making them. and i think its a "super" naniwa chosera stone i believe.

[@lvnitlovnit09]

Where can I get a 12X magnifying loop like the one in your video? Can't seem to find one on Amazon.

[@michaelmiller9576]

Looks like he's using a Belomo loupe

[@EleanorVR]

I just picked up my first straight razor. It'll be coming some time this week. It'll probably need some honing, but I don't have any whet stones. I can probably only afford one for the time being. What grit should I get to start off and maintain my razor until I can afford more?

[@brandomarch6772]

I think Norton makes a stone with 4k on one side and 8k on the other

[@jeremyfoster6942]

Wet and dry paper is cheap and comes in some fine grits, use that, stick it to a smooth tile or piece of thick glass, for final polishing metal polish such as Peek, applied very sparingly to a piece of flat balsawood, glued to a tile or glass is very effective, you don't need to spend a fortune on stones, if you are honing for your own use , and you use the razor every day you will only need to hone maybe once a year, careful use and a pasted strop will keep you a perfect edge unless you are very heavy handed!!

[@Apathymiller]

what do you think the minimum stone ya can use to get a razor to able to shave with, like a 3000, 8000, 10k, 20k?

[@ThomasFreundl]

I'd say 8000 minimum... but that's if you're very good... maybe a balsa wood strop with some micron paste on it for finishing. The Norton 4000 / 8000 stone is a great start.

[@ASTEROIDALAIN]

how do we straight the Frown? ??

[@kevinmorales8094]

What is the razor out of the box doesn’t sit completely flat on the stone? I have mine come like that out of the box with a high bevel set already. I didn’t taped the spine and the blade doesn’t shave like it supposed to. It pulls instead of shaving. The spine is a bit wore down but I managed to get the blade flat on the stone without it having a teetertotter effect. I used 1k,3k,6k and finished it on a 8k. But it’s not shaving smoothly. It’s my fist straight razor and I need help bad.

[@RazorEmporium]

If it's not sitting flat it sounds like it was ground improperly. Who's the maker?

[@kevinmorales8094]

RazorEmporium the make is gold dollar.

[@skutsenkow]

New to honing here. I have a Norton 1000, and 4000/8000 grit stone. I feel like after making many passes (approx. 40 on each) my razor is barely able to cut the hair on my arm. I have also not stropped the razor but do I need a 12k? Am I missing something?

[@RazorEmporium]

If it's barely cutting hair after 8000 grit then your technique needs practice.

[@skutsenkow]

@@RazorEmporium do you think I also need a 12k to be shave ready?

[@smievil]

when you sharpen kitchen knives you sometimes get "burr" on the edge, it's like tiny particles that can prevent you from cutting hair or paper, might be able to feel it, think stropping on leather can remove those sort of things. think at least some of my kitchen knives could shave arm hair below 8000 grit, beard is harder to cut. maybe the razor isn't in a good condition. maybe you could try to measure the angle it has

[@skateboardist1686]

i searched forever for that damn green naniwa stone with the wooden base until i watch my 50th straight razor information video and a guy mentioned why in passing. I could've easily missed it if i had not been paying attention. This guy does mention that its a naniwa ONCE in this video but he doesn't get into details. I thinking chosera super stone but now you won't get the wood base you got to buy a few hundred dollar metal and plastic base now.

[@craig5445]

Curious to know who your audience is. As I achieve desired sharpness with only one stone.

[@RazorEmporium]

Most all wet shavers follow a honing progression

[@dennisleonetti8408]

Have you ever used a piece of glass to finish the honing?

[@philwilliams8328]

If you're only honing the blade, as stated in the title, then why are you starting with a 1000 grit stone rather than a much higher grit such as 8000! Also, in _every_ thing I've read and the videos I've watched on honing you _never_ place tape on the spine unless your intention is to create a new bevel.

[@RazorEmporium]

If your doing work for customers, you will get a lot of angry people if you don't use it.

[@saxman7131]

I sharpen knives to a mirror finish but I’m smart enough to understand that a straight razor is not a knife. I don’t know why I’ve been so intimidated by honing. Thanks.

[@finnnielsen9690]

Tape or no tape seems to be the big issue in the world wide shave community, I'm not convinced of what's right, but so far I have done without tape. Pros and cons seems equaly convincing

[@MrPolovinaMozga]

Finn Nielsen Only an issue for beginners who tend to put too much pressure on the spine. Wearing of the spine doesn't alter the bevel angle under normal circumstances, as this video tries to convey. It does exactly the oposite - it maintains the correct angle throughout the lifetime of a razor. People today just seem to want razors with no wear on the spine, because they look pretty (and are easier to sell). "Minimal hone wear" or "no hone wear" sells a razor, not it's ability to shave, sadly.

[@johnnyboydianno]

There was no tape hundreds of years ago and those razors are being bought by the truck loads the razor was designed so that the thicker spine gives you the shaving angle the spine and the edge need to wear down equally so to maintain the correct shaving angle so if you want a pretty razor go to the women's section at Walmart

[@nezircaglar2381]

i want to hone my rolls razor blade..