www.astrophoto.com" style="float: left;" height="300" width="237" />There's an old saying here in the States, "it's not the arrow, it's the Indian". In some cases, it is very clear and easy to see that skill is more important than tools. I'm reminded of the commercial with Spike Lee asking "Is it the shoes?" That commercial was a classic, and I remember realizing at a very young age that Michael Jordan was telling the truth. You see, I had a pair of his shoes, but never quite reached his level. Interestingly enough, there's a disclaimer at the end of that commercial "Mr. Jordan's opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Nike, Inc."
Like all humor, it's funniest when there's an element of truth to it. Nike wanted the consumer to at a minimum think, "if they're good enough for Michael Jordan, they're good enough for me" and at most think, "maybe part of it is the shoes..." The forums related to straight razors (and traditional wetshaving in general) are filled with similar thinking. Usually people think of that saying about the proverbial Indian when witnessing someone blame their tools instead of their skills when they are having trouble with a razor or figuring out their hone or hones.
The same thing is true when considering what works well for others too. There are several of well known razor guys who have a reputation for their skill at honing, and they all have methodologies and tools that they prefer. Fortunately, from the reading I've done, they do a good job of impressing the point that it's skill and not the chosen tool that will most influence the outcome of a honing session. However, too often I find the advice that a new honer "needs" a particular stone, razor, strop, etc. This advice usually comes from the average member who looks up to the influential guys. After all, if it's good enough for So and So, it's the best, right?
Well, not necessarily. Do you really think Tiger Woods drove a Buick Enclave because he thought it was the best? Maybe so, but the crashed Escalade is interesting to say the least. What's the point? Well, we never know who or what is behind the recommendations of others. This is especially true when someone attains a level of recognition and influence. That's not to say that the equipment used by those honing thousands of razors isn't good, or even the "best"; it is saying that what is best for them may not be what you "need". To the new razor honer: do not listen to the masses when deciding what honing setup is "needed". For the average straight razor shaver (average being defined as someone who will never hone for money... well, maybe that's not the average person but that's another topic entirely), judicious use of pastes and/or a barbers hone is more than enough to maintain your razors.
That's it, you don't need anything else. For someone who wants more, a coticule and a lower grit stone is enough to hone all your razors and those of your grandchildren (theirs too most likely). This is just an example (replace coticule with Norton 4k/8k or other cheap, effective stone if it makes you feel better). Discussing your equipment needs with some of these guys is like a small farmer with 5 acres of land discussing his equipment needs with a guy who has 5000 acres. The farmer with the most land will not be misleading in his answers, but his recommendations may not make sense in a practical way to the farmer with a small parcel of land.
As an aside, it seems that most (all but one that I'm aware of) of the most influential honers in the straight razor scene advocate using paste (or at least personally do) to finish a razor's edge. So after all the work done on their stones, it comes down to a cheap, readily available medium to finish and get their best edges. Again, interesting to say the least... Instead of going out and buying all that's "needed", just get what you need. What you need is a hone that will do the job and the requisite skill to make it work for you in the desired way. Why listen to this advice? Here's one of my personal beliefs: "when seeking advice, listen to people who 1) should know what they're talking about, and 2) do not have any financial stake in my decision."
While being involved in the straight razor scene, I've done what I can (with at least some degree of success) to fit the first requirement, and I've definitely got no financial interest in anything related to this hobby (outside of hoping some of these vintage razor prices come back down to Earth).
After all, it's the hands, Stupid. Seriously...
