Thread: japanese waterstones

I seen some Japanese waterstones for sale. They had some that were a 4000/8000 grite combination stone.

My question is can they be use to hone razors or are they too soft? Or am I just better off getting a Norton stone. The price was right on the Japanese stone.I must say.

Size matters~ 3x8 for instance is a standard we use for them.
Ice Bear and King stones have proven themselves to many of us. Others may be a toss-up or not good at all.
Otherwise get the Norton!
That is well enough known to get any question about it answered on most any forum. And, for a new honer that is a great help.
See if you can find a local helper or mentor, really cuts learning time!:
Local Help - Straight Razor Place Library

~Richard

While a 4/8k grit stone is good for Razor honing, it is not just about the grit, the size of the stone, the kind of grit or grits and most important the binder and how or if it breaks down to refreshes in concert with the grit to provide keenness and comfort.

The majority of stones are designed for tools and some for knives. There are only a handful of synthetic stone that work well for razors,

Bottom line, if you are learning to hone, stick with proven performers. You will never go wrong with Norton’s. Once you got honing down, then experiment.

The hone and honing threads are full of new guys pulling their hair out, learning to hone with some stone no one has ever heard of usually an inexpensive stone. Set yourself up for success.

The price may be right but the hones may be wrong. You have to decide if you are willing to gamble on buying cheap hones that may or may not work for razors. If it does not, then you will need to spend more money on the right hones.

So, you've gotta ask yourself one question.


Well, do ya, pathology101?