Thread: King 1000 hone

If you do go natural, using a 1k bevel setter, (any 1k), will make your life much easier. I have or have tried them all, or at least the most popular.

Really all 1k’s perform much the same, they can feel different some smooth some gritty, but all leave a 1k finish, ready for the next stone in the progression.

Really don’t over think this, it is way more about technique and setting a solid bevel from heel to toe.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

No, most others were similar if not better, they were much faster than the king and we're splash and go.. I just enjoy the smaller width and smooth feeling of it. If I were to upgrade it would be to a naniwa or shapton glass. Maybe one day I will. The king is just very cheap for the beginner just wanting to dip their toes in the water.

That said if I had other 1k hones the king 1k isn't worth picking up. IMO of course.

Originally Posted by Marshal

There's no denying that the bevel setter is where the brunt of the work is done. But I haven't had to dig out my 1K hone in months because I've only got 2 razors that really need any sort of bevel work. The rest are all in maintenance mode, so unless I drop and ding one my honing is all done on a finisher.

Besides, a King 1K is in the top 4 I see suggested. The only place to really go from there is a Chosera/Pro 1K which cost 3x what most of my finishers have, or a Naniwa Traditional 1K maybe on the cheap end.

Originally Posted by gcbryan

I don't feel the need to "upgrade" the King either. It sets the bevel. What more does it need to do?

I have 13 vintage straights. Most will probably never need to go to the bevel setter again. I'm working on a few of them, testing, playing around and I always have the desire to buy "just one more" vintage from Ebay to fix up but I like to be economical with the hones or minimalist if you like.

I'd like to have a coticule and Jnat with all the slurry stones but I get my blades sharp with what I have so "going to the next level" would just be for the fun of honing and I'd have to be in the mood to spend a lot more to get there.

Even so, I probably wouldn't replace the King as bevel setter.

These are all valid points and I agree with all of them. If one has just a "few" razors, then once their bevels are set your 1k hone is superfluous; and the best or most efficient bevel setter is not particularly necessary.

I never had considered that someone would prefer a smaller bevel setter, so thanks for setting me straight on that one.

I do recommend the Naniwa Traditional 1k. It performs very well for a comparably great price.