Thread: Hone setup help!

Hello all,
I'm getting ready to start honing my own straight, and I just need some advice on which stones to buy. I know youre supposed to go from coarse to fine to finer. I bought the good ol' Norton 4k/8k and its on its way. What stone should I buy to go before the 4k? Should I get (or rather, do I NEED) a finisher higher than the 8k? Sorry I'm sure there are a lot of threads on this site about it but I'm just looking for a quick answer. Thanks!

If you are not going to restore, then you don't need a lower grit stone and should look at finishers. A 220/1K Norton combo is pretty nice when you see a razor that just needs a little bit of work.........

+1 to the 220/1k Norton in case you need "just a bit more" than the 4k. As far as finisher, I wouldn't worry too much about one until you can get a consistent comfortable shave off the 8k. After that, maybe a 12k or 16k.

I agree since you've started with the Norton the 220/1k is a good move. The 1K is a bevel setter and the 220 can be used for restoration. You'll need a lapping stone consider the DMT.

I prefer the Naniwa stones an would recommend their 12K great finisher and super easy to use. If you seat picking up Naniwa stones they are easy to use don't need presoaking and the 1k, 5k 8k plus 12k is all you need.

I currently finish on a Norton 8K and a pasted strop before unpasted linen/leather. Although I think about getting a finer finisher, I have gotten good shaves off the 8K for about 3 years.

The 8K is frequently IDed as the base shaveable edge against which the performance of other stones is compared. To get better edges from finer stones, one 1st must obtain a good edge from the 8K stone.

HTH

So would a Norton 1k be fine for setting the bevel?

for purely touch ups & as a finisher I use a Naniwa 12k
for restoration work i go a Naninwa 1K bevel re-setting followed by my Norton 4/8K to the finisher
& for extreme repairs like frown & chip removals I also have an old 10" Norton 220/320 oil stone I have for chisels & lathe tools I personally do not use the 220 grit on any razor for bevel work etc as it chews & chips the blade edge the 320is even pushing it here I think.

Originally Posted by tdavison

So would a Norton 1k be fine for setting the bevel?

absolutely

Unless the razor needs a lot of reshaping due to chips or years of bad honing, the 4K or, if necessary, the 1K should be all that one needs before the 8K. The 1K is a normal starting point for resetting edges. The 8K may be used to refresh a shave ready edge. The 4K is slower than a 1k, but can also reset an edge.

My razor isn't in need of restoration for all I know but its unbearably dull. I just got it about 3 months ago. I can't tell if its bowed or not. Would starting with a 4k garauntee flatness like a lower grit would?