Thread: 12K Chip Removal/Bevel Setting

12K Super Stone Chip Removal/Bevel Set

Recently in another thread I talked about the aggressive ability of the Nanawa 12K Super Stone. So I thought I would document a chip removal, bevel set using only the 12K Super Stone.

I picked up this very nice Henckel, Platinum 5/8 hollow ground razor from an Antique Swap Meet, (Photo 1). The razor was in good condition, but in need of cleaning and honing. Two large chips were in the edge, one near the toe and the other mid blade. They were marked with a red sharpie for easy locating, (Photo2 & 3)

I cleaned the razor with WD40, 0000 steel wool and a paper towel, then polished with Mothers and Maas Metal polish, (Photo 4)
Resting the razor on the spine on a piece of foam, I lightly bread-knifed the edge with a 600 grit diamond file, 3 lite strokes nearly remove it completely, (Photo 5 & 6)

I then did 4 sets of 20 circles, 80 total and checked the edge after each set of 20, (Photo 7).

Circles work well for removing metal at bevel setting with a bit of pressure, because as you perform a circle you are using a multi directional stroke that changes stria pattern continually and speed up metal removal.

Once the bevels came close to meeting, (Photo 7), I switched to Alex Gilmore’s method of 20/10/5/3/2/1 half laps and did 4 sets, (41 laps per set), checking the edge after each set, a total of 164 laps to where the bevels were completely meeting.

I stropped on Chrome Oxide Sail Cloth hanging strop 25 laps, and did another 2 sets of 21 laps, 10/5/3/2/1. I lightly jointed the edge after the first set to remove micro-chips and, with very lite pressure to finish the edge with another set, in 21 laps, a total of 42 finish laps. (Photo 8, 9)

Stropped on leather and .50 CBN and shaved. Very nice razor, a very nice, keen and smooth edge.

A total of 80 circles and 206 half laps total, about 20-30 minutes from start to shave, if I was not photographing. So, as I said, the 12K super stone is a very aggressive and versatile stone capable of much more than we challenge it to be.

I have done much the same thing with a Norton 8k and re-set bevels on the 12K in under 100 laps, after lite bread knifing. For most it should be their first stone, and possibly the only one, they will need unless they get into restoration or a lot of honing.

interesting read !!!
when I had my 12k I would have never thought of even trying what you did !!

That's a nice job and great writeup. I would never have considered a 12k for chip removal and bevel set. Nice challenge.

I never tried the one-stone honing with the Nan 12k, however I can easily understand how the 12k can achieve a finished edge start to finish. When l go from 8k in a normal progression to the 12k, I immediately notice the aggressive feel of the 12k stone compared to almost all other finish stones.

Thanks for posting the one stone method.

Thanks Marty!

I really appreciated the photos along with the write up. I know you are always careful about your honing. The photos just make it so clear.

Your work is always appreciated.

Interesting and informative, I never suspected 12k superstone would be quick enough for bevel setting and chip removal. I have a question about clogging surface on your Naniwa, after and during all that metal removing doesn't stone get clogged?
Sometimes I use my 12k superstone for final sharpening on kitchen knife but during that I have to remove swarf as stone's surface get black quite fast. Of course that is done with pressure and on knife.

Very nice write-up Marty...taking a soft synthetic finisher and using a one stone coticule type method of honing to put a finished edge on a blade. Great lesson on what can be done.

Great write up. Now it seems one of the stones I don't have will do it all,,, geez..a shopping I do go.. Hehe.

Fascinating Marty - I remember you mentioning setting a bevel on a 12k, my jaw is still resting on the keyboard!

Would you share some more information on Alex Gilmore's method you mention, I know for myself, every time I've ended up with a bevel set, it's by far more through accident than design.

The first sets of circles and half laps were done with pressure and the stone does load up.

I did refresh with a 300 diamond plate, it is the one thing I don’t like about the Super Stones, but really just a few swipes.

I also use 2 layers of tape for the circles and the first 2 sets of half laps, then switch to a new single layer of tape, as I eased up on the pressure.

I also refresh the stone face before doing the final polishing laps.

It would be interesting to study the effects of a loaded up stone on a bevel.