Thread: One last stone...for now.

So im getting a Norton 4k/8k and a Naniwa 12k and I have a set of DMT Duo sharp benchstones with 220, 325, 600 and 1200 mesh (interrupted surface).

I have questions.

Is the DMT 1200 mesh really that bad for honing? Ive read in a few places that the diamond is too aggressive for a razor. If the answer is yes i am considering a Chosera 1000 grit. They seem to be the current go to.

If the answer is no and i can get away with the DMT 1200 would there be any point to adding a Coticule to my current lineup?

I had just reached a point where i thought.. ok, i have everything to get started.. then my GF asked me what i want for my B'day next month. Im looking at about a $200 budget. The Coticule is of course much more expensive then the Chosera, but if i don't need the 1000 grit i would seriously love owning a Coticule.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

I've got a King Ice Bear 1000 they can be had for $30-$40 that works great, it's especially fast with slurry.
I've got Smith 320 and 750 mesh and they work great. They get smoother and less aggressive with use

Originally Posted by rodb

I've got a King Ice Bear 1000 they can be had for $30-$40 that works great, it's especially fast with slurry.
I've got Smith 320 and 750 mesh and they work great. They get smoother and less aggressive with use

Thanks but i'm definitely settled on the Chosera 1k.. just trying to decide if i really need one or not.

I would say yes to a 1k stone, with slurry it will get very fast but won't leave scratches like a DMT. The only stone in your collection that might be redundant for razors is the 1200 mesh

Originally Posted by MW76

Thanks but i'm definitely settled on the Chosera 1k.. just trying to decide if i really need one or not.

If you want to hone razors that need a bevel set, then you need one. It does not have to be the Chosera (now Pro), but you need a bevel setter that causes less damage than the Duosharp.

You CAN set bevels with a 4k stone, but it takes a lot more time. You also can remove the damage caused by the DuoSharp with a 4k, but it also takes a lot more time. A good quality 1k hone is about the most important tool there is for anyone doing more than maintenance honing.

On my razors I would never use a diamond plate for bevel setting. I have a Norton 1K and a Chosera 1K. The Chosera is much faster without leaving deeper scratches in the bevel. I think you will find the answer from most that the Chosera is the go to bevel setter. The Coticule on the other hand is one of those things that you rarely have the same one as anyone else. You will have to develop knowledge of your coticule or as Glen says "you have a relationship with a coticule".

Ok im glad i asked.

I wont be doing any type of bevel setting for a while but i'm going to eventually. It seems apparent that the now named Naniwa Pro 1k is the thing to have.

I was hoping having the DMT's already would save me a little more cash. At least the 325 mesh will work as a lapping plate. Oh well, its just paper with numbers printed on it

Ill hold off on the Coticle, which was my original plan. Some day i want to try my hand at dilution methods but i'm purposefully going with synthetics for now.

Someday ill meet a nice Coticule, and make her my own...

Thanks for the feedback!!

Originally Posted by Utopian

If you want to hone razors that need a bevel set, then you need one. It does not have to be the Chosera (now Pro), but you need a bevel setter that causes less damage than the Duosharp.

You CAN set bevels with a 4k stone, but it takes a lot more time. You also can remove the damage caused by the DuoSharp with a 4k, but it also takes a lot more time. A good quality 1k hone is about the most important tool there is for anyone doing more than maintenance honing.

Definitely! Get a good 1k level stone for sure. Shapton's 2k Pro stone is pretty good too, and close to the same particle size as the Chosera 1k. I have both and they are both really good. I somewhat prefer the Shapton if in a hurry - the Chosera does suck up a little bit of water before it will remain on the surface, so I soak mine for a few minutes before use. The Shapton is pretty much pure splash and go.

Originally Posted by eKretz

Definitely! Get a good 1k level stone for sure.

I have set the dogs loose on the Chosera

Originally Posted by MW76

So im getting a Norton 4k/8k and a Naniwa 12k and I have a set of DMT Duo sharp benchstones with 220, 325, 600 and 1200 mesh (interrupted surface).

I have questions.

Is the DMT 1200 mesh really that bad for honing? Ive read in a few places that the diamond is too aggressive for a razor. If the answer is yes i am considering a Chosera 1000 grit. They seem to be the current go to.

If the answer is no and i can get away with the DMT 1200 would there be any point to adding a Coticule to my current lineup?

I had just reached a point where i thought.. ok, i have everything to get started.. then my GF asked me what i want for my B'day next month. Im looking at about a $200 budget. The Coticule is of course much more expensive then the Chosera, but if i don't need the 1000 grit i would seriously love owning a Coticule.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Diamonds- Don't back yourself into a corner bevel setting on diamonds. They are not good for razors- yes it can be done with some steels, blade geometries and honing styles, but more in a special case instance. I would not choose diamonds for bevel work.

Chosera1k- Great finish, you can shave off this stone, not that you'd want to. It is a much finer finish than typical 1k. However I am sick of my green monster at the moment- long honing sessions leave my hands, and finger pads and table full of green insidious particles that are a pita to try and scrub out. In synthetics as of late, I much prefer circles with my shapton glass 3k for bevel work. Has a jnat similar cleanliness to it.

Next hone- I would say a razor quality jnat hands down. More interest and value has been on my finishers and my low grit stones. Depending on what stone you choose- a razor quality japanese whetstone will have range down to bevel set (but some can be much slower here) up to finishing well over a 12k in edge retention. I use one or two stones usually in my entire progression. Sometimes 3. You don't get that kind of range or shave comfort with synthetics.

Coticule- Utopian is a very knowledgeable honer with a ton of stones- though he doesn't need me affirming this. It is known. I would also talk to glen, mod gssixgun. He loves using coticules and is a honemeister. You might be able to have him hone a razor on coticule for you if your curious if the edge can be to your liking.


For my money- a japanese whetstone or 2 is all you really need in an entire progression, and are a better investment as the shaving edge is unbeatable and their range is greater. My fast lend synthetics are nice to have, but if I only had one stone, I know what kind it'd be and I'd be able to hone from bevel to shave. But you should listen to all the advice from members, go with what rings true for you.