Thread: Lithide instead of Norton 8000 ?

Hi,

I'm new at SRP and I have a question about hones.
I've read many threads here so far but I can't find the exact answer: I have a Norton 4000 waterstone and it would be a much more inexpensive solution to buy a Lithide instead of a Norton 8000 for the final polishing of my razor before the strop.
I think about a package of Lihide, Gem and cushioned strop hones from Tilly. Do you think theese hones can replace a Norton 8000 and do the work well? Can I make a fine ploished edge with them?

Thanks,
Gorila

Lithide's cutting rate is MUCH slower than Norton's. You probably COULD do it, but I'm not sure how quickly it would work on old blades. If I were you, I'd either get the 8k or a Japanese alternative. With that being said I will experiment with a Lithide for post-N8k finishing/touchup work soon. Oh and if you already have the N4k, you don't need any coarser hones.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Lithide's cutting rate is MUCH slower than Norton's. You probably COULD do it, but I'm not sure how quickly it would work on old blades.

It would be VERY slow - due to the lithide being finer and such a small hone

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Oh and if you already have the N4k, you don't need any coarser hones

Unless you want to refurbish e-bay specials, in which case you would want a 1K for rough work (i.e., removing nicks, etc)

Not to discourage you from trying, but I've had a rough time getting the old barber hones to work for me. I love the idea of them, and I keep trying to use them, but no luck so far.

The Norton 4/8K will be worth the investment, although it seems a little steep at first. Any finishing hones or pasted paddles are just icing on the cake after the 8K.

Good luck,
Josh

Chris,
Thanks for reminding me to clarify. By "you don't need any coarser hones" I mean that Gorila doesn't need any hones in the 4000-6000 range. If he is planning on restoring lots of oldies, a 1k is a GREAT idea. If he's only planning a few, 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper will do. I guess the endorphins from the workout kicked in and I wasn't too coherent lol.

Hmm, then maybe it will be better to purchase a Norton 8K...
And what about the others: Gem and cushioned strop hones?

Gorila

Barber hones in general confound me. I could spend hundreds on them and I'm sure I still wouldn't get the job done. That's not to say you couldn't, but just to let you know that it's a different thing than the Norton.

X

You can go Japanese a bit cheaper. Lee Valley carries one for $50US http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...072,43071&ap=1 and this guy on e-bay has the same price http://cgi.ebay.com/SHARPENING-WATER...QQcmdZViewItem I can't make any guarantees about that particular seller. Lee Valley also has waterstones in the 1000 grit range in case you are planning on doing lots of blades.
Tony Miller has a very good design for a bench hone for about $15. Check it out on www.thewellshavedgentleman.com

Thanks a lot for your replies!
And what is your opinion about Belgian stones?
http://www.belgischerbrocken.com/ - but not too much information in English
http://www.belgischerbrocken.com/too...web/pdf/52.pdf

Can these be used instead of the Norton 8K or they are better after it, to achieve a more confortable shave? (But these prices are at the Norton level either... )

Gorila

Belgians are a bit finer and many people use them as finishing stones. I had bad experiences with mine a while ago, but I will be re-checking if I got a bad specimen or my technique was bad.