Thread: 8K Norton is not enough.

How is it useless? Are you saying binders or the amount/size of abrasive make them unique? I think if they leave a similar scratch pattern then the shaves will be similar as well.

Shaving off my 5k JIS is close enough in grit range as if I had the norton 8k and wanted to try that. The cutting speed and binders are not going to make one shave poorly and the other shave well. I can get HHT results off my 5k, and i'm sure the norton can do the same.

They are both higher mid range stones and I highly doubt if you did a blind shave test you could pick out the norton over my masamoto or any similar grit stone.

That's just my opinion, based on conjecture.

But for the record, my 5K shave technically isn't a comparison as I don't own a norton or have a razor that was finished on one. My shaving off the 5k would be for the sake of my own knowledge and experimentation. There is no "comparison" happening at all, just testing of the qualities of a single stone in relation to my face.

Originally Posted by Utopian

That would be a useless comparison. The grit size is not the only factor for a hone.

Scratch pattern is one of the most misleading indicators of a comfortable shave.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Scratch pattern is one of the most misleading indicators of a comfortable shave.

Yep. Unfortunately, its one of the pitfalls of greater magnification. The closer I see, the worse I think I've done, the more the temptation to chase the edge and then I'm back to square one, pretty much.

30x is plenty good enough for me.

Also, for the record, it is my opinion that relying solely on an HHT is for the birds as well. I set a bevel on a 1K and could do an HHT(the 1K Shave challenge). OTOH, I remember honing a particular Sheffield that I couldn't pass an HHT. All other indicators said Go, so I went to the ultimate test, the shave test, and it passed.

I agree,,, I have never used the HHT , thumb pad or thumb nail tests. The only hair that judges my edge, other than facial(shave test) is my arm hair, after setting the bevel at 1K.

I love to chase the edge with different finishers, so stopping at an 8K is not an option for me. The 10x, 30-40x help me to spot problems with the bevel & determine if the stone at that point in the progression is cutting uniformly.

I do like to look at the edges that members post that were taken with digital microscopes. I would like to get a good one someday & dive deeper into the mystic hole.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I do like to look at the edges that members post that were taken with digital microscopes. I would like to get a good one someday & dive deeper into the mystic hole.

And that's what scopes are good for. Showing bevels to other people. When it comes to honing I mostly use 8-10x loupes.

Yes,,, but I've developed this curiosity for viewing the smaller things in life,, that new 40x lighted viewer I posted a week ago,,,,I carry it around in the car & I have been using it on every bug or ant I find, flowers, looking at old book page textures,,,

Oh,, I like looking at the photos of shiny bevels too,, that's why I want a scope.

Shaving off 8k.... wow why would anyone bother these days? I honestly thought that was a thing of the past.

Originally Posted by DireStraights

How is it useless? Are you saying binders or the amount/size of abrasive make them unique? I think if they leave a similar scratch pattern then the shaves will be similar as well.

Shaving off my 5k JIS is close enough in grit range as if I had the norton 8k and wanted to try that. The cutting speed and binders are not going to make one shave poorly and the other shave well. I can get HHT results off my 5k, and i'm sure the norton can do the same.

They are both higher mid range stones and I highly doubt if you did a blind shave test you could pick out the norton over my masamoto or any similar grit stone.

That's just my opinion, based on conjecture.

But for the record, my 5K shave technically isn't a comparison as I don't own a norton or have a razor that was finished on one. My shaving off the 5k would be for the sake of my own knowledge and experimentation. There is no "comparison" happening at all, just testing of the qualities of a single stone in relation to my face.

I think you are very confused on how hones work. It is not only about the grit rating or the particle size. It is also about binder, how the matrix is formed, how the grit particles release while honing, how had the grit particles are, do the break while honing on them. Then there is the razor, steel, hardness, grind. Then you have stropping .