Thread: Chinese 12k: Wet vs. Dry

What do you guys do in terms of the chinese 12k? Wet or dry while honing? The box obviously states to use water, but those pics on Zowadas website always seemed to show a better edge while honing dry. I have done both and can't say I've come to a conclusion yet. Dry feels more natural for that particular stone- smoother maybe. Just curious if anyone has a preference.

I've used mine only wet so far.

I have used mine both ways and I don't think that I can tell any difference. It's so hard and slow cutting that I don't think it removes that much steel while polishing. I feel that it is probably best for the stone to use it wet so that's the method that I have landed on. FWIW, I'm only using it after a coticule.

If I'm using it to finish up a razor with a new edge, I use it wet always. However, I have used it dry when I wanted a minor touchup to a razorr that's had slight use; one it was faster than getting it wet/soaking, and two it felt finer/smoother while honing like you stated.

I use mine wet...always. I want the swarf to be moved out of the way.

I also have found that it works nicely in a progression of 8K-coticule-escher-chinese 12k-chrome ox.

One day, I'll lower the level of my stubbornness and add one of those to my collection. You guys' posting about them here is bad for my wallet.
In fact, most of the things on this site are bad for my wallet.


John P.

Well, on the bright side, the Chinese 12K is nowhere near as bad for your wallet as a lot of other things. Of course the cumulative effect can be quite bad but the 12K by itself is a great deal!

Come over to the dark side!

Funny thing I saw this thread. Just last night I used my 12K dry while refreshing a few edges. WOW!!!!!! what a difference that made. I have used the 12K wet during honing. But last night was a revelation for me. I had my buddy with me, also a straight shaver, and he could not believe how sharp they were. I did get it wet between blades to remove any deposits but then proceeded to dry it before I got started on the next blade. I am going to try to use it dry during a complete honing job when I get one but for now if I have to refresh an edge...dry stone it will be.

Raf

Originally Posted by Scorpio

Funny thing I saw this thread. Just last night I used my 12K dry while refreshing a few edges. WOW!!!!!! what a difference that made.

Have you shave-tested any of the blades? Are they smooth-feeling on the face, as well as sharp?

Originally Posted by Scorpio

Just last night I used my 12K dry while refreshing a few edges. WOW!!!!!! what a difference that made. I have used the 12K wet during honing. But last night was a revelation for me. I am going to try to use it dry during a complete honing job when I get one but for now if I have to refresh an edge...dry stone it will be.

I have usually used it dry and gotten great results as well. That and those pics on Zowada's site of the dry 12k honing scratches on the bevel made me think that dry might be better, but I wanted other opinions here.

Originally Posted by SteveS

Have you shave-tested any of the blades? Are they smooth-feeling on the face, as well as sharp?

Oh yeah, they shave great when using wet or dry. As I just said I usually use them dry and get awesome edges that last. Off the top of my head I can't remember liking the wet edges better, but I don't think I've ever really done a side by side comparison.