Thread: Shapton 16K help question

Jon:

When you're honing on the 16K, are you drawing the razor perpendicular (head on) across the length of the stone? The 16K ceramic as you've mentioned is extremely smooth. So smooth that believe it or not, the width of the spine contacting the stone and the width of the razor bevel, as small as they are can stick (aka "stiction") to the hone surface. This can cause chatter or some have described the sensation as honing with honey on the surface.

Tilting the razor (still keeping it flat on the stone) or skewing it with the heel at approx 30-45 degrees helps reduce or for me eliminate stiction. The steel swarf you see is to be expected. The gritty feel, if you also meant that you're experiencing that I have no clue. I've never had such a problem on the 16K and I've never heard of anyone also reporting such an experience. Keep in mind, the smallest piece of dust on the surface of such smooth stones will be noticeable and unpleasent. Frequent refreshing with water on the surface helps wash off any dust in the air that lands on the stone and also removes excess swarf.

Chris L