Thread: first hone

What's the difference between the 3 options? Does it change how it hones at all?

From coarsest to finest.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

The Chinese 12,000 is actually approx 10.000 grit

I disagree, my Chinese 12k is finer than all of my Coticules.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

I disagree, my Chinese 12k is finer than all of my Coticules.

I am referring to the size of the abrasive grain. A few years ago when the Chinese 12K became available one of the members of the SRP posted a link to a Chinese website that showed the Chinese standard of grit measurements. When broken down by micron size the Chinese 12k was comparable to the US CAMI/ANSI standard, the Japanese standard ( sorry, forgot the name) and the European FEPA standard at approx 10K.

I agree with you regarding the Chinese 12k seeming to be a finer stone than the coticule. But what I am interested in is the both the texture and sharpness of the edge. I try to find what agrees with my face the most, not just sharpness.

Ah, I see, the numbers actually different because of different grading systems.

I was just basing it off of the degree of polish that they put on an edge (which is in their favor in my experience).

Thanks for the info, I must have missed that thread.

As a refresher I'm a huge fan of the smaller (8x2x1) Chinese waterstone. Hand held, it is easier (read as better results) for me to use than the barber hone. For the price, you can't go wrong. www.woodcraft.com I think its listed as a natural polishing stone. I've found that once a straight has a shaving edge on it, you'll not long for the 4/8 Norton until the edge has been damaged by poor stropping, sink dinging, or some other malady we all are familiar with.

Wow, a lot of great information here. Answers some questions that I had as well. Fuguist, I really can't add much. Good luck on your honing, and keep us posted on how it goes.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

Ah, I see, the numbers actually different because of different grading systems.

I was just basing it off of the degree of polish that they put on an edge (which is in their favor in my experience).

Thanks for the info, I must have missed that thread.

Pretty easy to do. If I recall correctly, the thread was on the Yahoo SRP forum before this website started.

Thanks for the additional info.

Was wondering if someone could help educate me as to what to look for on Ebay as I am afraid I can't tell the difference between a bad and a good barber's hone.

Yul, that natural polishing stone from woodcraft looks good too - do I have to worry about flattening it or can I just use it out of the box?

Thanks!

Try this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/FRANZ-SWATY-VORM...QQcmdZViewItem