Thread: Natural Bevel Setter

Originally Posted by Steel

I have been using a Washita stone exclusively now for a couple of months. I don't own a synthetic anymore. I have set bevels on eBay razors and razors I have restored without issue. Not very long at all to set a bevel. From 20-30 minutes on "dull as buter knife" eBay razors. My last one the bevel was almost there and it took about 5-10 minutes tops. I have also used a fresh soft ark with a fresh surface. A bit slower but no slower than my old 1k King. With the Washita I raise a slurry and within a few strokes it is already turning grey. I have also used a labeled lily white with success but my unlabeled Washita takes the cake. It's all I use now and don't see a need to go back to a 1k synthetic.

Looks like my next hone will be a Washita, been wanting to go all natural for some time now but haven't found anything natural worth setting a bevel with. I have an Arkansas White/Black or soft/hard combo that I have used with oil to sharpen knives but never tried a razor. Guess that will be my next experiment and if it works I'll get a Washita for setting bevels and have an all natural progression.

You can use a Washita with slurry but it's not the best way to use it. I've done extensive trials with both my #1 and Lily White and they will remove steel in a hurry with slurry but there's also pretty heavy apex damage that takes quite some time to get past on subsequent stones. This is viewing at high magnification, you won't see it with the naked eye or a low power loupe, but it's enough damage that it sort of convexes the edge and takes a good while to hone past on midrange stones.

A Chosera 1k is much faster and doesn't do as much damage - I prefer it by far to a Washita with slurry. Natural stones are the way to go for finishing for me, but they don't hold a candle to synthetic bevel setters.

Originally Posted by eKretz

You can use a Washita with slurry but it's not the best way to use it. I've done extensive trials with both my #1 and Lily White and they will remove steel in a hurry with slurry but there's also pretty heavy apex damage that takes quite some time to get past on subsequent stones. This is viewing at high magnification, you won't see it with the naked eye or a low power loupe, but it's enough damage that it sort of convexes the edge and takes a good while to hone past on midrange stones.

A Chosera 1k is much faster and doesn't do as much damage - I prefer it by far to a Washita with slurry. Natural stones are the way to go for finishing for me, but they don't hold a candle to synthetic bevel setters.

Interesting. I have never noticed this before. I'm not saying this is false but I have a 100x scope and have never noticed any damage like this on my honing. Quite the opposite. My 1k King left deep scratches compared to my Washita which seemed to cut shallow-wide marks with no apex damage. If it takes a higher power than 100x to see, I can't imagine it being too much of a problem which is why I may not have even noticed it in actual honing. I use a Guangxi slurry for a "middle" stone and have not experienced any problems with an all natural progression. i am sure it has as much to do with HOW you raise the slurry as to how you use it. Now, I have had an all synthetic progression to a mixture of natural/synthetic to an all natural progression. For me, I can't argue with results. I see no reason for me to go BACK to a synthetic bevel setter. Which is why I sold it. YMM(and will)V

No offense but, thanks Steel :<0)

" and 30-60 minutes to set a bevel and progress through to shave ready is fine by me. YMM(and will)V "

I was beginning to think about getting something natural for bevel setting. I have a small arsenal of synthetics and they work perfect for me now.

Yes 10pups. That actually includes the WHOLE progression. I did edit it out to avoid confusion. I don't think an hour to hone a razor off eBay is very long at all. Especially when it took me that long WITH a 1k King. Maybe it's just me.

Don't get me wrong. If you like your synthetics that's fine stick with them. For me, there is not a synthetic hone in my house. Not because naturals are "better" but because I enjoy natural stones and they work as good for me. I hone 1-3 razors a day on an all natural progression. The OP asked if there is a natural bevel setter. Short answer-yes there is.

And you seem to have it down better than anybody else :<0)
I'm also looking for reasons NOT to buy anymore rocks.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

And you seem to have it down better than anybody else :<0)
I'm also looking for reasons NOT to buy anymore rocks.

Oh thanks but I don't think so. I think there are a few others that have put some time into naturals and have found a progression that works for them. I know there are but I think they choose to keep their head down. Maybe I should learn that trick

It's all in the lighting when viewing the damage. You need to look at the right spot in the right way, or the damage can pretty much be obscured. This is so with all scope shots of razor bevels.

The damage is best viewed with the bevel flat to the scope lens and either a collimated light source bounced off the apex or a distant powerful light source (natural collimation) bounced the same way. The goal is to see only the apex lit and the rest in shadow - this will highlight any damage.

Again, not saying that the slurried Washita method won't work - just that it adds a bit of extra time and work to the process. Fit most guys looking to get through the process as quickly as possible it's counterproductive - and those guys (myself included) are better off with a synthetic stone for bevel setting.

Originally Posted by Steel

I have been using a Washita stone exclusively now for a couple of months. I don't own a synthetic anymore. I have set bevels on eBay razors and razors I have restored without issue. Not very long at all to set a bevel. From 20-30 minutes on "dull as buter knife" eBay razors. My last one the bevel was almost there and it took about 5-10 minutes tops..

All way too slow for me. The 20 -30 minute job should be 5-6 miniutes on a good synthetic unlesss it's a wedge.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

All way too slow for me. The 20 -30 minute job should be 5-6 miniutes on a good synthetic unlesss it's a wedge.

Exactly, the time its taking for bevel set on Arkansas stones...the rest have fully honed2-3 razor's