Thread: Finishing stone/paste

Hey guys.

tl;dr - what do you use after an 8k stone?

So I've been shaving face/head for the last two years. When the blade needs it, I go over it with the 4k/8k norton water stone, it's always been perfectly fine, very happy with it. Recently went on a trip, left kit in the car, unlocked, came out was gone. My own fault, these things happen, blah blah. So I ordered a new blade, a dovo from SRD, went to shave, stropped like normal, and there is a huge difference in blade sharpness. I mean I know I had no idea what I was doing when I started, but damn, this is huge. What do I need to do to keep this edge?! Will a 12k stone after do it? do i need to get into the pastes n such? Someone tell me your secrets!! :P

Calling Lynn Abrams... calling Lynn Abrams...

For me an 8k edge is a fine shave but a 12k edge is where I like my edges,
My wedges I like to hit on CrOx but for what ever reason I am not as fond of doing that with 1/4, 1/2 or any type of full hollow.
I will soon be playing with naturals.
You can ask Lynn how it was finished but you will probably need to play around a while to get the edge dialed in on your own.

After 8K I like the 12K Naniwa Super Stone (what an awesome stone for the average guy). I then strop with linen or felt then leather for 100 laps. This edge is durable but there is nothing like the first couple shaves off the stones and stropping. Smooth as butter.

Sorry to hear your stuff was stolen. On the bright side you have a new blade and appreciation for a superior edge. When I first got my Dovo professionally sharpened by Lynn it was increditable. That set the bar for me, at least I knew what was possible.

Good stones in the right hands. Thats it in a nutshell.

The choices are almost endless. Everyone has there favorite method. For me, I normally use the Shapton GS series stones, up to 16k, then finish on the Suehiro 20k. It leaves a nice smooth shaving edge.

I'll also go from the 8k to an Escher at times. I don't really use pastes, I have way too many nice stones....!

Now, don't quote me, but I think Lynn finishes on an 8k followed by 10 laps on Wool felt with .50 diamond paste, but I'm not 100% certain....

Well for me it started out with norton 4/8k with CrOx paste on balsa then I got a C12k and then I got a coticule and then another coticule. After that I got a few mystery hones and some diamond spray for wool felt strop. After all that I finally got a Jnat. So what I am saying is that asking what other people use just makes you want to try everything. I know cause that is what I did. I keep wanting to push the edge just alittle bit more while keeping the qualities that I like. Find what you like and try to have the will power to not want to try everything that there is. It is really hard though so good luck.

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

Well for me it started out with norton 4/8k with CrOx paste on balsa then I got a C12k and then I got a coticule and then another coticule. After that I got a few mystery hones and some diamond spray for wool felt strop. After all that I finally got a Jnat. So what I am saying is that asking what other people use just makes you want to try everything. I know cause that is what I did. I keep wanting to push the edge just alittle bit more while keeping the qualities that I like. Find what you like and try to have the will power to not want to try everything that there is. It is really hard though so good luck.

That's a really good point. It can be like chasing your tail after a while. Pick a system, and stick with it. They'll all get you there, you just need to be patient, and put in the time.

After 8K I like the 12K Naniwa Super Stone (what an awesome stone for the average guy). I then strop with linen or felt then leather for 100 laps.

Good stones in the right hands. Thats it in a nutshell.

Now, don't quote me, but I think Lynn finishes on an 8k followed by 10 laps on Wool felt with .50 diamond paste, but I'm not 100% certain....

Ok, people are talking about linen/felt and wool/felt w diamond paste,(and i guess "just be good" but seriously c'mon), I'll be honest, I've only used the leather portion of my strop, not sure what the other fabric is or is supposed to do, not sure how the paste thing works, haven't really found any good tutorials online explaining pastes... More than willing to do whatever anyone thinks Lynn Abrams did to this blade to keep it the way it is

Originally Posted by ShiNoKaze

Ok, people are talking about linen/felt and wool/felt w diamond paste,(and i guess "just be good" but seriously c'mon), I'll be honest, I've only used the leather portion of my strop, not sure what the other fabric is or is supposed to do, not sure how the paste thing works, haven't really found any good tutorials online explaining pastes... More than willing to do whatever anyone thinks Lynn Abrams did to this blade to keep it the way it is

Many use the linen untreated as part of the daily stropping.
I do a few laps on the linen (untreated) and leather after I shave with a blade to clean it off, I do around 50 leather prior to shaving (to be honest I don't count any more)
The linen is optional but you have to try it to know if you like it, I do feel it makes a difference on my edges.

The sprays and pastes are predominantly for finishing and maintaining an edge and not daily stropping.
There are a few coarser pastes for sharpening but I have zero first hand experience with them
and unless you are practiced with stropping or using a paddle strop I would probably not take that route for actual sharpening starting out.
The finer sprays and pastes cerium oxide, chromium oxide (CrOx), iron oxide, finer diamond sprays and so forth are the ones for finishing and maintaining.
You can apply one of these to your linen/fabric strop (use the back side of it or get another if you are going to incorporate the linen into your daily routine)
All the paste does is add a mild abrasive to the strop so it works like a very fine hone. (this is the simplest way I can think to put it)
There are several good videos on how to apply paste or sprays and use them, Lynn did one that is fairly comprehensive.
(A Thanks to Lynn for that)
I hope this makes it a bit clearer than mud for you.

Found the video for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=

Pat