Thread: i seriously got to start honing

That is exactly the kit I started honing with

You might want to google it for Canada it is quite common and I believe you have Rockler stores up there and perhaps Woodcraft ??? those are also sometimes found at any well stocked hardware store...


The Lapping plate in that kit is just OK, the DMT 325 is way better, but don't get the wrong idea, I used that Norton one for my first 1000 or so razors you just have to be a bit more conscious of keep everything flat and rinsing away the grit...

Lee valley in Ottawa sells norton stones and ships in Canada.
If you don't mind spending more, pauls finest based in Montreal has a great selection of naniwa and chosera stones. I really like them, and his are thicker and come without the plastic base which is great if you like to hone in your hand.
Classicedge I believe also sells the naniwa combo stone and the dmt coarse for lapping.

oh thank god. thank you guys i appreciate the help.

Btw gssixgun, with normal lapping the DMT 325 will wear out a bit, but do you know if I ever really need to worry about it becoming no longer flat? I love the way I can put a straight edge against it and it's perfect, will it remain flat enough for lapping even as the abrasive wears away?

Thanks for your help!

Originally Posted by Boarder277

Btw gssixgun, with normal lapping the DMT 325 will wear out a bit, but do you know if I ever really need to worry about it becoming no longer flat? I love the way I can put a straight edge against it and it's perfect, will it remain flat enough for lapping even as the abrasive wears away?

Thanks for your help!

Hmmmmm I don't know

I guess it comes down to relative need, I honestly have never tested mine, it is more than flat for the purpose of honing razors..
This is another one of those things that get a ton of chatter, yet is really not all that important in real life honing..

With proper technique I can hone on a rod style ceramic hone so the difference between .0001 and .0003 is irrelevant and that is not even taking into account that few razors are that accurate anyway..

Check it when you buy it I guess, if it looks good get to honing

Originally Posted by ri7ani

how about this kit Water Stone Kit

The 220/1000 are stones that you will not need ( 220 grit) and are not that good (1000 grit).

The bare minimum is some wet/dry sandpaper, used wet, to lap your 4/8 stone flat (220grit) and a finer grit sandpaper (320/500) to "refresh & declog" the hones when they start to accumulate to much swarf. Glen's videos demonstrate how frequently he "refreshes" the hone surface.

The next step up is a DMT 325 for the tasks of initial flattening of the 4/8 and can be used for refreshing a hones surface. The only problem with a DMT 325 is the initial cost.
A 1000 grit hone is used when a bevel has to be created or fixed. The most use comes when your working with a vintage antique store/Ebay razor. It is not part of a normal honing routine and definitely not used for routine edge refreshing.
For a 1000 grit hone I prefer the Chosera 1000. It also comes with a 600 grit slurry stone That cleans up all 3 hones, Norton 4/8 and Chosera 1K.
The Norton 220/1000 is a waste of money IMO.

Just my 2¢