Thread: I made it through the hones.

I've just managed to create a bevel and go through the hones to shave ready.
I followed Glens videos but started on a Chosera 1K then moved up through Naniwa superstores 1K 3K 5K 8K 10K and finished with the 12K.
Stopped 60 laps and shaved! No nicks no razor burn and I'm feeling a little pleased with myself.
Are there any further progressions anyone would suggest to get the edge from heaven, or am I getting a little OCD with this? The SR is a TI Sparticus which I gather can be a bit of a pain to get to shaving nirvana?
A big thank you to all on here who have made it possible for me to get this far, with all the great advice and tips.

Congratulations, Duncan

Where to stop honing is a personal decision. If you are happy with a 12k finish then that is all that matters.

I shaved for a long time on a 8k finish. Then I got a 12k and really liked the edge. The increase in grit number can become a quest. Take a look at a Norton 30K stone. Not cheap.

So, in short, if you can afford higher grit stones/hones then go for it. You can usually sell them if they don't meet your expectations.

Just remember Glen's admonishment about skill and money when come to expensive hones. No truer words have ever been spoken.

Stick with what you have right now. You will find the more you use them the better your edges off of those stones will be as you gain experience. Once you get to the point that you feel you can't get any better edge off those stones you can start looking for a new one.

Yup I figure that it's all about technique and feel now, and that can't be purchased only learnt. I suppose that the quest for a great edge and great shave is never ending.
It's a bit like Golf!

I stop at the Naniwa SS 12K as well. I really think it comes to personal preference or one's OCD

I have really gotten a very smooth and easy shave off a 8K before getting my Naniwa 12K. I even can stop with my Thuringian as well and be quite happy.

But hey, it's your money and your obsession so I say what makes you happy, do it. I just can't see forking out almost $250 to go up another 10K on a man made stone for me personally.

But Congrats on getting the job done. You actually have a great wide variety of stones there my friend!

BTW- The only other thing I do I did not see you did was when doing a full progression and bevel set is I use my paddle strop with .5 micron ChromOx paste to end the process then strop with plain leather for the shave to come.

Funny you should say that, I've just done ten laps on 0.5micron diamond spray on felt paddle.
I'll have to wait until tomorrow to shave test, as I've got no whiskers left at the moment

Yea, Diamond is not the same as Chrome Oxide, the other side of the spectrum. Same grit size, completely different grit and finish.

What's the difference between the two, diamond and Chrome Oxide?

Diamond is for keenness, Chrome Oxide for comfort, completely different shape of cutting grit and performance, even though the grit size is the same.

Most paste with Chrome Oxide after Diamond. Diamond will add keenness at the cost of a micro chipped edge, especially if pressure or too many laps are used.