Thread: Do you use synthetics but are opposed to pastes?

Originally Posted by Steel

But isn't a gok20k essentially the same as a paste in a substrate in the shape of a stone?

In that sense every hone is just particles in a substrate. A hone has many advantages over powders and pastes because it is less messy, less set up, less stuff to keep track of (balsa, strop, powders or sticks of crox).

Originally Posted by Steel

But isn't a gok20k essentially the same as a paste in a substrate in the shape of a stone?

I'm not sure I'm willing to follow you there. By that logic all 1k stones are equal, right up through that 20k. Yet you'll find that most will tell you that the Chosera 1k is the king of bevel setters. Anyone is free to disagree with that but you'll find that those who use them most have found that one to be the best. To suggest as another person did that its a justification of the money spent, well, that suggests that you can't tell the difference between the two mediums. And if its all the same, just use the paste and save the time and expense. Nothing screams YMMV like honing.

No pastes , i also love to play in the mud and the hones are superior to pastes .

I sense this may be one of those threads, that every stone and paste known to humanity could be invoked as the magic ticket. I could be wrong though its been civil so far.

I use synthetics sometimes, and other times naturals.. but never pastes. Maybe once I get better at honing I will begin using pastes again. Nothing bad to say about pastes just not my preferred route as of late.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

I sense this may be one of those threads, that every stone and paste known to humanity could be invoked as the magic ticket. I could be wrong though its been civil so far.

I hope it remains civil. I am not in any way putting down one hone or another. Biases are involved im sure along with preference. I have my own biases and preferences and I find nothing wrong with that. If you spend money on a hone that you love well then it's money well spent. Synthetic or natural. I was just wondering people's opinions and thoughts on this whole subject as it has often crossed my mind. For instance, there are some people that use pastes from bevel set to finish with good consistent results. I don't because I enjoy honing on natural stones. I just find it curious when someone uses a synthetic hone but is set against a paste. I am not saying all pastes and synthetics are equal. I just used a very simple question to highlight the meat of my inquiry. Just a discussion is all I'm after. Not which is the best as it is a ymmv thing.

In a similar thread not too long ago the late Neill Miller said this and I highly resemble this remark in all things shaving / honing .

"The above is just my opinion. It may well be worthless and wrong. But it does not matter. We can explain things in any fashion we like, no matter how outlandish, but as long as the product performs to expectations then who cares?"

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by prodigy

In that sense every hone is just particles in a substrate. A hone has many advantages over powders and pastes because it is less messy, less set up, less stuff to keep track of (balsa, strop, powders or sticks of crox).

That's makes sense. Thank you.

I remember an old adage I read here on SRP and I still believe it to be true

"I have yet to see an edge off of any Stone or Hone that could not be improved upon by the judicious use of paste, and proper stropping after honing"


Watch that key word there I highlighted, it is rather important


I do not see a correlation between pastes and hones however, two different animals for a few different reasons..

Keep in mind I am speaking of the .50~ pastes and higher girt, as they are most often used in SR usage

We seem to discount the Binder / Matrix of the hones we use, whether they are Natural or Synthetic, simple use of the different 1k hones out there makes it quite apparent that the type / amount of cutting grit and the Binder makes quite a noticeable difference in the performance

Comparison of the various other "matching" Numbers show the same

Even with pastes the same can be found,, compare the various Diamonds and CrOx in .50~ then compare them on different surfaces, to find quite different performance, then add in the CBN's CeOx and others to find even more differences in performance all with the same "Grit" numbers..

The most significant difference IMHO, is the ability of the Hone to actually change and form the geometry of the edge, and the pastes ig: to simply improve the existing bevel...


anyway try it all see what your face loves best

I'm not opposed to trying or using anything as long as it shaves well. My current finishing process is 12k naniwa, then 8-12 laps on a crox pasted webbing. I have a phig in the mail so who knows maybe that will change. The biggest improvement to my edges has been through refining my honing and stropping technique. There's no pasted strop or natural or synthetic hone that is worth a crap if the guy using them isn't up to the task.

I also don't like to limit myself because I think I know something.