Thread: Ceramic stones

I wanted to give the Sypderco's a shot without dropping too much money, so I picked up the pocket sized medium and fine stones. I hone on those two and then finish on my Swaty. I've found that I get very good results, and would recommend that lineup to anyone who likes to hold stones in their hand (as I do), doesn't mind smaller stones (I find it easier for a rolling X pattern), and is on a budget (grad student who finds work on Craigslist here).

I like the Spyderco medium/fine pocket hone for its size & this is usually the hone that gets put in my luggage when I travel with a straight.Paul

I have a Norton 8K, the Spyderco med fine & ultrafine, a DMT 8K, a combo coticule, and varying other barber hones;

I like the Spyderco's because they cut fast and give a great shave ready edge, but they do need to be lapped and I also like to refresh lap them often to keep em cutting fast. Initial lapping is supposed to be a nightmare...I bought mine pre-lapped on the b/s/t here.

I use mine under a fast-dripping faucet and it greatly improves the feedback, though not as much as a Norton or coticule.

The Norton 8K is great for a starter hone, but I like something a little finer to finish on (pasted paddle) and I just got tired of lapping it all the time.

Coticule: They really are very versatile, and the more I use mine, the more I like it. I still think it's a bit rough as a finisher though, so I go to the pasted paddle/ ultrafine afterwards.

The Barber hones are a hit or miss lot: I have a few different Carborundum hones and they work pretty well. I have a few other misc. barber hones and some are too coarse, yet too slow cutting.

I have one that is so coarse, I use for my lawnmower blade!

Thanks everyone for your helpful information. I think I am going for the Norton 4000/8000 and then the Spyerdco Ultrafine for my finishing touches.

Good choice. Now be aware that the Norton needs to be lapped before you use it. Out of the box it is not ready for use. Go to the honing/basics forum and read the sticky on hone lapping.

Keep us posted on your progress!

It looks very tempting to use but i have a flattening stone on its way to prep it correctly. So I will work with the edge I have now and keep stropping before and after. My spyderco UF will be here tomorrow.