Honing Stone Grit

[mjlthuston]

I am getting ready to purchase a honing stone. I can get a Norton 4000/8000 or a genuine japanese water stone at 6000 grit.

Which should I go with?

[bill3152]

The 4/8 offers more than the 6 IMO. The 6 isn't a finisher and setting a bevel with one is a stretch. The 4k can set bevels and the 8k can finish. So my money would go for the 4/8.

[RezDog]

I concur. The other reason for going with the mainstream known hones is if you run into a problem there will be more people with experience with your hone and your problem.

[eddy79]

Definitely the 4/8. So much more versatile and able to do everything you will need to begin with. That or a 3/8 niniwa super stone

[ScottGoodman]

Norton 4/8K or Naniwa 3/8K combination stones. There is more information available on the Norton, but the Naniwa is just as good.

[Zephyr]

I too will recommend the Norton 4/8 or Naniwa 3/8, these are much more versatile than a JNat, although a JNat can be used with different naguras to cover a wider range.

They are also both synthetic, which makes them pretty consistent, and you can take a lot of advantage from other peoples experience with them, like in the JaNorton Thread as opposed to naturals, where every stone is different and needs to be learned well to take out the full potential.

[Ludvig]

I would also go with the 4/8k. It gives you much more versatility.

[mjlthuston]

Thanks for the input everyone. I picked up the 4/8k today at lunch based upon everyone's feedback. $79.99 at a local tool shop. I think that's a pretty fair price too.

[Ludvig]

Thanks for the input everyone. I picked up the 4/8k today at lunch based upon everyone's feedback. $79.99 at a local tool shop. I think that's a pretty fair price too.

Congratulations to your purchase. It is a good stone that will serve you well. Now you have a lot to learn and much experience to gain.

[deepweeds]

Be sure to read anything here you can find in the wiki ("library") or forums on lapping the stone. Have fun!