Quote Originally Posted by DoughBoy68 View Post
I like the edges finished/polished with natural hones better than synthetics but I do use synthetics for bevel creation and sharpening. Depending on the blade & condition for bevel creation/correction I use either a Chosera 1k, Naniwa 2K Green Brick or Norton 1k or 4k. For sharpening I use Norton 4k/8k, Welsh Slate (Dragon Tongue, Yellow Lake) or Naniwa Green Brick. For polishing I use Coticule, Chinese, Welsh Slate (DT, YL) or Translucent Arkansas. I use slurry on all but the Arkansas and Chinese.

The Norton 4k/8k is a workhorse; you can set/correct bevels on the 4k which will take a little longer that using a 1k then move up to the 8k before using a Coticule.

You may have noticed I use some of the hones for more than one procedure, that's because of varying blade conditions and metal composition; what works on one blade may not work on another. It does help to have a variety of hones if you are going to buy/restore/sell razors because of dealing with different types of razors but not if you are just going to maintain your own razors. Hope this helps.........


The first set of hones I bought were synthetic (Taidea 3000, 8000). I still use them along with a fine diamond stone when doing restorations/significant bevel work. I also use a Spyderco ultrafine bench stone which gives a wicked sharp edge. I just find the edges off of synthetic are a little bit too aggressive even after the pasted strop. I've heard good things about the Welsh stones but don't know where to get them. I've also heard that the edge off of the Spyderco is similar to Translucent Arkansas, does anyone have experience with both?


Cheers.