Thread: What next?

So I've been thinking about buying another hone, but I can't decide what to get. I really like the edges I get from my Coticules and I don't really like the edge off of synthetics or pasted strops. While I like being able to restore an edge and do minor bevel work on a hone I'm not totally opposed to getting a dedicated finisher. I've thought about a new Thuringian, Black Arkansas, Zulu Grey or dare I say a JNAT. Any others I should consider? I realize that JNATs are a whole other ball of wax and they can be quite variable (that's part of the fun!). I'm also concerned that Nagura stones are hard to find these days. Any opinions or suggestions?

Cheers,

Danm

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.........

I've yet to find a hone that gives me an edge I like better than the finish I get off my coticules (note I didn't say: a sharper edge). On some razors I have experimented with CBN spray, I liked the shaves that gave me although it seems I had to be even more careful than usual.

I wouldn't entirely dismiss edges from a pasted strop . I like my coticule edges, but if I want it to be a touch sharper, a few laps on a chromium oxide yields a nice skin friendly edge.

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

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.

Originally Posted by decraew

I've yet to find a hone that gives me an edge I like better than the finish I get off my coticules (note I didn't say: a sharper edge). On some razors I have experimented with CBN spray, I liked the shaves that gave me although it seems I had to be even more careful than usual.

I've noticed that I can get sharper edges off of synthetic stones than I can with Coticules, just no where near as smooth. I'll take a look at the cubic boron nitride spray.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Badgister

I wouldn't entirely dismiss edges from a pasted strop . I like my coticule edges, but if I want it to be a touch sharper, a few laps on a chromium oxide yields a nice skin friendly edge.

I'll have to try this. Maybe two or three passes on the pasted bit. On another note, has anyone compared different brands of chromium oxide? Like TI paste vs. no name crayons? I'm currently using Dovo's red and black compounds (I believe they are iron oxides), which could be the problem.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Danm

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.

I also use the Chromium Oxide pasted strop after honing. An edge off a Coticule followed Chromium Oxide pasted strop really leaves a smooth, skin friendly edge. I call my Coticule the 'edge softener'........

Here is the link to the eBay seller that has the Welsh Slate hones, the slurry hones are included;
http://stores.ebay.com/GREEN-SHARPEN...p2047675.l2563

They can be used together instead of the Coticule. The Yellow Lake is finer than the Dragons Tongue. The seller also has one that is finer than the YL but I can't remember what its called, you can find out when you visit the site. Hope this helps.

it sounds to me like you really only have a couple of options. The next best thing to a coticule in my opinion is a thuringian or a jnat. good jnats can be found at good prices, for a first stone consider maksim at japanesenaturalstones.com. nagura stones arent that hard to come by, i have many, and never paid a lot for them, a bunch are on ebay right now that tempt me every time i see them. Ive gone back and forth on my opinion of coticules several times now, and im finally using one that is a real finisher. unlocking its secrets is proving to be both fun and enlightening come shave time. what is your budget for your next hone? that will help narrow things down too. You could always get a large 8 x 3 Nakayama Kiita

You don't "really " like your coticule edges do you ? or you wouldn't want to buy another stone