Want to know if my current set-up is up to par

Currently I have the shapton pro 1k 2k 5k and 8k kitayama (which I've also seen called a 12k) and a 12k kuromaku shapton so I guess what I'm curious about is if that kitayama is actually a 12k and I'm not making any jump but from a 12k to 12k lol I also have a atoma 400 that I use for lapping...

I consider the Kitayama an 8k stone. A simple shave test should tell you if you're getting further refinement going to the shapton 12 (which you probably are).
I really like the Kitayama. I use it mostly for knives and it leaves a great polish on the bevel. It's a little soft and loads a bit, but still a great stone.

I used to have the Kitayama. it's sold as a 12K but I think that's stretching it a bit. I thought it was a generally good performing hone. There are better and there are a lot worse.

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Originally Posted by Dcaddo1

I use it mostly for knives and it leaves a great polish on the bevel. It's a little soft and loads a bit, but still a great stone.

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I originally bought all my stone with the intention to only sharpen knives but when I started getting into it I started looking into other things to sharpen. That's when I bought and used a straight razor and fell in love... Do you think that the Kitayama is more of a knife hone than a razor hone? So maybe I should add a shapton 8k to the line up?

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Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

I originally bought all my stone with the intention to only sharpen knives but when I started getting into it I started looking into other things to sharpen. That's when I bought and used a straight razor and fell in love...

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This mirrors my start pretty well. Researching stones for knife sharpening led me to the razor sites. If you enjoy maintaining edges at a very high level, what could be better than being in 'touch' with your edges every morning.

For me the only odd man out in that progression is the 2K, but it's not too odd I suppose. Generally I have excellent results working from 1K to 4K to 8K and then onto the higher grit stones. The 400 Atoma is good. I'd also recommend the 1200 Atoma too - I find it useful for many many things.

James.

If you want to do a grit comparison, hone a razor with the 8k, mark the half way point with a sharpie on both sides, then hone the top half of the razor, with the 12k keeping the sharpie mark on the stone edge, and compare the stria, side by side.

The 400 is fine for lapping, use lots of water or under water.

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Originally Posted by bluesman7

If you enjoy maintaining edges at a very high level, what could be better than being in 'touch' with your edges every morning.

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I couldn't have said it any better! Lol

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

For me the only odd man out in that progression is the 2K. I'd also recommend the 1200 Atoma too - I find it useful for many many thing

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I was actually thinking the same thing that I don't need to 2k and to send it back. But I wasn't 100% sure a 1k to a 5k would be alright. What all do you use the 1200 atoma for? I plan on really only using the 400 atoma for lapping it just feels a little too rough for the knives I have, I don't have that much repair work to do...

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

If you want to do a grit comparison, hone a razor with the 8k, mark the half way point with a sharpie on both sides, then hone the top half of the razor, with the 12k keeping the sharpie mark on the stone edge, and compare the stria, side by

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So what would I be looking for in the comparison? I would guess the if the stone is finer than be sharpie mark would be smaller as u progress?