Thread: Synthetic progression end result?

Rob is correct circles, I see you have done that. Honestly I never count because the numbers are just a starting point. Gives a base so you aren't doing 5 circles and checking then 5 and checking and so on. I guess I'd say there is no need for anything in between. Only reason I went 1k,2k then5k was because I felt 1k to 5k was a little bit of a jump. I didn't have the 2k at first and it took alot of work getting my 1k scratches out at 5k level.

Originally Posted by dshaves

I do the Lynn method of 40 circles with pressure and 40 circles without pressure then 10 or so X stokes. It does work great don't get me wrong. I just wonder if I did those first 40 on the 2k then next 40 without pressure if that would produce a more refined scratch pattern? Or if the truth is there wouldn't be much of a difference then I will let the theory go

I've wondered that myself, if you add the 2k time to the 4k time does it save any time and refine the edge more? I get a very mirrored surface after the Norton 8k and my finishers. I hope someone with a 2k experience pipes in with info

Originally Posted by rodb

I've wondered that myself, if you add the 2k time to the 4k time does it save any time and refine the edge more? I get a very mirrored surface after the Norton 8k and my finishers. I hope someone with a 2k experience pipes in with info

I like to add in my 2k to my progression a lot of the time. I use shapton glass 1k,2k, then either natural jnat or synth 4K, 8k, 16k and g20k. I do find it is really nice in finishing the bevel set if for some reason the 1k does not tend to be getting to where I like it before going to the 4K. It does save time but just going by the numbers it may save a 1/4 of the time going from 1k to 4K.

And about the pressure circles then no pressure circles. I've quite counting a long time ago going simply by feel and only when the edge passes my tests do I move up. But yes the no pressure would refine the scratches more.

And as a note sometimes I will use my 2k as my bevel setter.

My Shapton 2K (light green) works for me to get the scratches from the King 1K out, I use it often. If I am jointing the edge, this 2K will be the last time I do it. Then reset and move on to Norton 4K. I will also toss a King 6K in between the Norton 4/8.

The Shapton 2K seems to load up quickly. But a trick is to get a little coticule slurry going on the surface with a small soft coti rubbing stone. It still cuts like a 2K but doesn't load up, the slurry turns grey instead of the hone.

The 2K is also a bevel setter for me when 1K is not needed.

Originally Posted by dshaves

I have Shapton Glass stones and a lot of blades with hard steel, currently using the 1k chosera, SG 4k, 8k for low and mid range. What do you think about that 1k to 4k gap? I am wondering if I should just add the 2k and call it a better progression? Thank you

So much of this is personal preference. As others said, the 1k 4K jump is doable. The secret, not so secret, trick is to get all the previous stone's striation pattern out. That's what makes for a smoother progression , or shave. For me a SG 2k just makes symetrical sense.

I've got a Norton set, 1/4/8K and Shapton Kuromaku (Japanese Pro) set 1/2/5/12K. I end up using the Norton stones more often because I typically finish on a natural stone. There's not much point in my estimation honing an edge up to 12K just to back it down somewhere between 8 and 10K. To that end, I use the Nortons then jump to my finisher. But by and large your bevel setter is your most important stone. After that I would place my finisher. It doesn't matter if I use the Norton series, the Shapton set, or mix and match between the two. All of that should, in theory, be erased by what I've done on my final stone. The only difference the mid grade stones ought to make is how fast I reach that 8K to 12K mark.

Originally Posted by dshaves

I have Shapton Glass stones and a lot of blades with hard steel, currently using the 1k chosera, SG 4k, 8k for low and mid range. What do you think about that 1k to 4k gap? I am wondering if I should just add the 2k and call it a better progression? Thank you

As you can probably tell by my Shapton line up, I prefer a smaller jump. More accurately to double the grit rating, or come as close to that approximation as I can come with a given series. In my humble opinion 1/2/4/8 etc is ideal.

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

I believe the 1k to 4k gap is doable. That's what alot of guys seem to use, Norton 1k, 4k, 8k. That's what I started with and it works.

Unfortunately Norton doesn't have anything to close that gap. But after getting the Shapton 1/2/5 setup I found a new appreciation for that 2K grit stone.

I mean technically I could go from a 1K to a 12K and get the job done. Might not even be slow if done right. But smaller jumps make it easier to get the stria from the previous hone removed without any left behind. The edge is probably no smoother by the time all is said and done. When you move from the from the 2K to the 4K, you have a 2K edge going in and a 4K coming out heading to your 8K hone. When you move from a 1K to a 4K stone, you have a 1K edge going in and that same 4K edge going forward to the 8K hone if you did your job right. I wouldn't start doing a 1/2/3/4/5/6/8/10/12/16 progression, but in the early phase 1/2/4, 1/2/5, or 1/3/5 is kinda nice. You can skip the 2/3K hone but it makes life just a touch easier.

In all reality Euclid has a thread on bevel setting and finish with a naniwa 12k ss. One stone wonder. That's off topic of course.

If I am reading these responses right then there is no performance advantage in the final edge whether I use a SG or any brand in regards to 1k to 4k vs. 1k, 2k, 4k? Right?

Originally Posted by dshaves

If I am reading these responses right then there is no performance advantage in the final edge whether I use a SG or any brand in regards to 1k to 4k vs. 1k, 2k, 4k? Right?

End game if the proper work is done per stone then shave wise I'd say no performance gain. Now moving through your progression does the 2k add that much advantage I guess I'd say that too depends on talent. If you enjoy playing with hones them nothing will be lost trying it

Unless you are shaving at each hone as part of a learning process they only prepare the edge for the finish, so it is only their performance that matter, not how smooth of an edge you can get with them. 1-4 shave tests are excellent learning tools however.