Thread: Sharpening Systems = More Stones Better Results???

I hope what I'm about to say will make sense here, but what i find with the old Sheffield's is that bevel setting takes much longer, and I spend the majority of my time in the 1k-5k area making sure I can shave hair with it before moving to polishing.

I use strictly the Naniwa's in this capacity, but I find as I get closer to getting what I want I have to bring the edge back down to the 1k in this range to get it just right, then I'll do lighter more polishing strokes on the 5k, but this can be counterproductive too much 5k doesnt produce good results.

Then I move onto the 8k, and polish to get that shave ready edge there. However, this doesnt give me the smoothness I like, so I move onto 1u, then .5u and finally .3u diamond film to smooth out the edge even further.

I have been contemplating lately getting a good coticule to polish the edge after the 8k and skip the fims, but I'm worried about edge quality and consistency that I get with the films.

I think more options always helps.

The german and american full hollows are easiest to hone imho, they take an edge very fast, all the american ones I have hold their edge extremly well, I find the german ones to loose and edge more quickly.

The longest holding edges I have and smoothest shavers are def the Sheffields, they really hold up to my tough beard.

ok thanks for listening to me
David

between my 2 nortons and 2 japanese stones, there is nothing I haven't been able to hone so far. Of course I haven't honed as many as you guys.

As soon as the bevel is set, I don't think more stones hurt. I think more stones -> less laps per hone + more gradual path to the end result.

Originally Posted by Stubear

The progression I use is 1k to 4k to 8k to 16k (All Shapton CG) then onto a denim flatbed hone with 0.5m diamond spray. This works very well for me.

Granted, this is my first honing set up but I like the symmetry of doubling the grit each time. The only one thats missing is the 2k!

I'd be interested in trying other grits in the middle to see if this improves the whole honing experience.

Now the question is; Where to add the stones?

Is it better to have more at the bottom end, adding say the 2k and the 6k, or at the top by adding the 30k? Or both?

Glen, whats the honing progression you are using on the 30K? If I'm reading it right, you're doing 3 laps, 2 back hone laps and then one lap? Do you do this progression once only or do you repeat it? Could you use this on the 16k as well?

Is the 30k really worth the money do you think? Just curious, because I'm tempted to add to my Shapton set up what with Christmas nearing and all...! :-)

Thanks all, great post!

Oh boy some tough questions in this one...

Shapton wise 1-4-8-16 works fantastic...
For the price the 2k is worth the step to add...
The 30k is the enigma, this stone is $300.... That is a pretty nice razor..

Here is the thing if you are a person that would spend the $700 for a Japanese finisher or the $400-$500 for an Escher (unless your lucky) then yes I would go for it... It is a toy though, you do not need these ultra finishers to shave, heck you don't need anything over an 8k to shave really... I keep saying that in here for the newer people to honing, and razors, some of us have gone a little overboard with this stuff, hence why I put this is the advanced section...

But yes Stu if you have the itch, then the 30k is a fantastic stone and actually a pretty good bargain comparatively speaking...
I am using only 6 laps total on it BTW as of right now that 3-2-1 is getting very consistant results...

Thanks Glen, Jimmy! Great thread and a very interesting read!

I think I'll add the 2k and the 30k to my set up then, plus a couple more pastes (CroX and 0.25 diamond spray) and I think I'll be totally set then..!

Originally Posted by Stubear

and I think I'll be totally set then..!

Hahahahahahahhaha yeah famous last words there

What do you think Jimmy??? I think Stu is hooked

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hahahahahahahhaha yeah famous last words there

What do you think Jimmy??? I think Stu is hooked

Hooked? Me?

Definately famous last words..!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hahahahahahahhaha yeah famous last words there

What do you think Jimmy??? I think Stu is hooked

You know what I think Glen, you can't have too many hones. More arrows in the quiver ..... OTOH, it ain't the arrow, it's the Indian.

I would definitely add a stone between 1 & 4K if it is graded by the Japanese system. If you grade the Nortons by JIS, the progression is more like 800-2800-4000. It seems 3-5 micron particle size is where most people find comfortable shaves beginning. High density Arkansas, Coticule, 8K Norton, I've shaved off 4K King, and others have with 5K Naniwa.

New set of what.........



Lynn

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hahahahahahahhaha yeah famous last words there

What do you think Jimmy??? I think Stu is hooked

Haha yeah, the same way I was set with my 16 shapton, before I went on to buy one of those multo $$$ Japanese finishers...