Thread: 1k,6k, 12k stones

I have a 1k/6k combo and a 12k stones. Do I need to get a 4k/8k or can I get the job done with what I have?

You can get it done with what you have. Assuming your 1/6 combo is using the JIS grit rating, a 4/8 is practically overlap.

I am going to presume that it is the King 1/6 and Naniwa 12k or Chinese 12k (PHIG)?
The 6 to 12 jump is steep Could it be done, look up one stone honing.
I would probably add something in the 8k range.

I guess that sort of depends on your skill. I try to take small steps. They say you can take big steps with ceramics. Glen and Lyn did thishttp://straightrazorpalace.com/advanced-honing-topics/62970-one-stone-honing-lynn-glen.html

I have a 1k/6k combo and a 12k stones. Do I need to get a 4k/8k or can I get the job done with what I have?

You can probably make it work, depending on the hones, but if you don't want to, get sick of it, or simply want to make life easier 1/6/8 would be a pretty tidy progression depending on the stones.

It might help if you provide some info about your rocks, for that matter.

I would suggest some chromium oxide on felt or leather to smooth that 12k edge a bit, but other than that you'll be fine. It will take a bit longer w/out the 8k or 10k to bridge the gap, but so long as you are removing the 6k scratches completely with the 12k; that dog'll hunt. Happy honing. I personally think anything beyond a 6k (and that's pushing it...I stick with a 5k but break out the takenoko 6k for s & g's every so often) is a polishing stage or refining, and anything under 8k to 3k as sharpening and 600 to 1200 as bevel setting.

Thanks for the replies.

The 1k/6k is a Shun Whetstone. The 12k is Chinese. I have a balsa block with chromium oxide and Lynn's modular paddle strop.

If the 12k is really 12k, then I would like to go straight from stone to leather, but that is just nostalgia. Did our ancestors have anything finer than 8k if even that?

If the 12k is really 12k, then I would like to go straight from stone to leather, but that is just nostalgia. Did our ancestors have anything finer than 8k if even that?

Many natural stones which have been in use for a long time are generally thought to be finer than 8k. Some by a substantial margin. Moreover there were many ways in which people used to 'finish,' razors using lathers and fine abrasives like lamp black, newspaper, chalk, rouge, and so on.

That said there's nothing wrong with going from stone to leather. The only razor I have which is a true shaver (as opposed to a factory-sharpened razor I bought for honing practice) has only ever been touched up on stones/strops. My finishers are a yellow lake (welsh slate) and the purple slate with no name. The first is often sold as 12-15k and the second 15k+ but I take little stock in that. In fact the yellow lake shaves much better for me.

I've seen several first-hand accounts of a good C12k giving excellent shaves all on its own after stropping.

A good stropping after the 12K really should be fine. We tend to go overboard around here with ever more-exotic finishers and pastes and stuff, but you already have what you need to get a good edge. A little practice and you'll be there. Get the basics down with the tools you have and then assess whether you feel you want to go in another direction. Don't go buying 20K hones or JNats or other pricey stuff before you get the fundamentals down. That way lies madness.

And yes, you're most likely correct about our forebears using fairly low grits, but few of them shaved daily, so their skin had time to recover from the punishment.

Originally Posted by Avenolpey

I have a 1k/6k combo and a 12k stones. Do I need to get a 4k/8k or can I get the job done with what I have?

In my opinion you should consider getting an 8k. Your 1k will set bevels , your 6k is going to take some time to get the 1k scratches out and refine that edge and then that is about as sharp as it will get without many many many many laps on a 12k which is really for polishing and touch ups. I shaved off a 4/8k with linen and leather after that for a year before I even bought a 12k. I don't know a thing about oxes and diamonds :<0) You can make do with what you have I just think your going to be adding many miles to your learning curve.