Thread: King

I finely got my King 1/6K today for the kitchen and pocket knives. Can't wait to see if it'll put an edge on those stainless steel knives in the kitchen. there getting kind of dull. The hone looks good and i'll soak it and start to work on the worst knives tomorrow.

If it is a clay-based King, then do not soak or soak for a very brief time. They can melt.

Spritz it good before using.

Do you have a coarser stone as well? I'm a chef and I like something a little coarser to set the bevels. Nothing wrong with your stone it should serve you really well. But you'll wear it prematurely if you use it as a bevel setter.

Agree 100% with mikael86. If your knives are in very bad shape you should get a 400 grit stone, the Chosera 400 grinds metal very fast. Sometimes I use my Norton Crystolon fine stone (320 grit) it leaves a deep scratched pattern but it works very fast. The king 1000k is used to set a bevel on a straight razor but either a kitchen knife or a pocket knife have a thicker bevel, and need a coarser stone.

Originally Posted by rolodave

If it is a clay-based King, then do not soak or soak for a very brief time. They can melt.

Spritz it good before using.

I was under the impression that Kings could be stored soaking, though I always dry mine out after use.

I have a King 800 that is nearly unusable without at least a 20 minute soak. I also have a King 6k that works OK for me as a splash and go.

King 6k works well between 4k and 8k but is not necessary. Fun but not necessary. I have shaved off the King 6k and I like its texture. jmo

Originally Posted by mrsell63

King 6k works well between 4k and 8k but is not necessary. Fun but not necessary. I have shaved off the King 6k and I like its texture. jmo

I use mine between a 3k and 8k Naniwa.

I agree that it's not necessary, but if I dropped mine I would replace it that day! I really like that stone.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

I was under the impression that Kings could be stored soaking, though I always dry mine out after use.

I have a King 800 that is nearly unusable without at least a 20 minute soak. I also have a King 6k that works OK for me as a splash and go.

This event was about 25 yrs ago when I left a King 4k in water and got sidetracked. When I returned (the next day) the stone had separated from the base and the surface was like wet cement. Had to trash it.
Hopefully that does not happen with current day stones. I would not chance leaving them in water for an extended period. A brief soak (20 minutes) should be no problem.

Originally Posted by rolodave

This event was about 25 yrs ago when I left a King 4k in water and got sidetracked. When I returned (the next day) the stone had separated from the base and the surface was like wet cement. Had to trash it.
Hopefully that does not happen with current day stones. I would not chance leaving them in water for an extended period. A brief soak (20 minutes) should be no problem.

Thanks Dave.

I've never really considered storing my hones soaking as I can usually anticipate my honing at least 20 minutes ahead.

First and Foremost, I've never handled your particular King Stone. I have used an 800 and currently use a 1200 for bevel setting.

Both hones are thirsty SOB's! I've let my 1200 soak for an hour and could still mini bubbles coming out. So I asked my good friend Glen (GSSIXGUN) how he stored his bevel setters and he recommended;

1 cap-full of Clorox to 1 gallon of Distilled water and change the water every 6 months. He's been doing this for years. I've been using his system for a year with no problems.

I also store my Norton 4/8 in the same solution.

A couple of notes;

1. I've had the current King 1200 for at least 20 years
2. The cap-full is about a heaping Tablespoon
3. I change the water about every 4 months as I can't seem to remember to put the lid back on so the chlorine evaporates
4. While it takes an hour or more for the King to 'completely' absorb water, it takes Days to Dry Out. So I find it more convenient to just leave he King in the water bath

I do hope this has been of some help.