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I was browsing Amazon and came across Seido branded Combo Hones. I know they aren't the Norton set or the Naniwa progression but all the stones for $64 shipped might be worth it to play with. Has anyone used these before?
There are 2 combo stones a 600/1000 and a 3000/8000.
Generally inexpensive small stones are not great performers for razors. There is a lot more to a stone than just the grit size. They may work on knives, even though they are on the smallish side, 6 inches, but often they are too aggressive for razors.
For $85 you can get a 4/8 Norton that will do all you want and is a proven performer on razors.
Stones are lifetime purchases, buy proven, quality stones, you will be money ahead in the long run.
The first three threads in the Honing forum are packed with information for the new razor honer...
I've never owned the set mentioned, but generally folks who have tried the cheaper Chinese hones have said that many times they are softer, muddier stones and the grit may not be graded as well - more suited for knives.
A razor hone should generally speaking, be harder and have a narrow grit range. If you need to save a few bucks, go for a King set. They're priced well and are known to be good on razors.
Cheers, Steve
I have the King 1k/6k combo and a black Arkie. If I buy new hones I'll get the Naniwa progression. I was just wondering if anyone had tried them. I might for the cost. I got the king for free from a building I cleaned out and I was ready to stick in it the shop and or kitchen so if I end up getting these to try I'll have the same mindset. I don't have nice razors. All of mine are ugly user grade razors some with no name.
The ones I was looking at were not small stones being only a 1/4 inch shorter then the King and the same in every other measure.
I've been told by someone I trust that quality control on the Norton stones has slipped and that he no longer suggests them because of it. I'll get new hones sometime but what I have works for now. I wish I had a DMT to grind out frowns and chips but I'll grab a used one when I get ready to need it. I have 6 razors that need scales so I'm set on work for a bit.
Another consideration is the wealth of information on the forum on the Nortons, Naniwas, Shaptons among others. Many members have posted tips and tricks on working with those hones. The Seido hones probably don't have much of a knowledge base to avail yourself of.
Doesn’t matter how your razors look. If you plan on shaving your face with them you will need a keen and COMFORTABLE edge. Cheap and aggressive may get a knife to sharp, but it won’t be keen or comfortable on a razor
You will need something in the 8-12k, pre finisher before the Ark if your Ark is a finisher and properly prepped or you are willing to spend some quality time on the Ark, to polish out 6k stria.
There is tons of great information on this site on honing, but if you have someone you trust, willing to mentor you, follow their advice and learn their way, with equipment they are familiar with and recommend, once you have master honing using their technique, then tweak your technique and equipment.
To quote a fellow honer, "Sharp is easy, smooth is hard".
Cheers, Steve
If it's anything like a Taidea steer clear. China makes things in quantity not quality...
I'm between jobs now but I was looking at the Naniwa 8k SS and a DMT 325 when I had some disposable income again. Wetdry sandpaper lapped the stones but for making slurry its not very easy. I have a fairly comfortable edge with my setup. I know it could be better but it cuts the hair off and leaves the skin on. It does take forever on both the 6k and the Arkie. I have time and I don't have many razors so I'm not in a hurry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Euclid440
Yea, leaving skin on is a good thing,
The jump from 6K to ark is a big jump. Your edge does not get straight until at least 8k. A 4/8 Norton or 3/8 Naniwa will solve all your problems. Make sure your Ark is Fully lapped and burnished, there are tons of threads on lapping and burnishing Arks in the hone and honing forum, you need loose Silicone Oxide, about $15 worth.
I gave up on lapping all the imperfections out of my Arkansas stone. I have it smoothed out to a 1k using wet/dry and burnished using a big kitchen knife. Its a pretty big stone at 7 inchs long and 2 inch wide. maybe an inch thick. I got it flat but there are some small pits in the last inch of each end. I just use the middle 5 inches like I would a small hone like a barbers hone. I have a barbers hone too but its not as fine grit as the Arkie. Its also chipped too much to fix. My ex-wife threw it at me once and destroyed it.
Well, that may be part of your problem. Arks are hard to prep, and if it is not prepped/finished well enough it will not finish a razor.
Gotgrit.com has all the loose Silicone Oxide you will need for about $15.
Post some Pics.