Thread: I'm a simple honer

Originally Posted by CamMorris

Simple is good! I have several stones, different types, Arks, Belgian coticule ,cnat... and a couple different synthetic water stones. Id like to get down to a simple progression, After reading much on this forum it sounds like the 4k/8k Norton has a large following as a base or starting point. Im looking at that and the Shapton Kuromaku in 5k and 8K, similar in price, I do like the thought of the Shaptons being two separate stones instead of the two sided Norton.
Any thoughts from the gurus?
Thanks!

The Norton hones are also available as single grit hones. When I replaced my 4/8 I decided to do it with single grit hones and have not been disappointed with them yet. They do the majority of the low/mid level work for my razors.

If you go Kuromaku I might suggest jumping over the 8K and going for the 12K. It really isn't hard to get rid of 5K stria with the 12K, most razors it only takes 10 strokes. I have the 1/2/5/12K of the set and really don't feel the need to add anything else in when I use them.

Good point Marshal, I was looking at the Kuromaku 5k and 8K, as I have a cnat in 12 K, but if the Kuro's turn out to be that good I will probably add a 12k later!
Do you think the Nortons are superior to the Kuro's, I guess tha'ts my real dilemma ?
Cam

Depends on what metric we're using I suppose.

I don't have the shapton Kuro 8K, and aside from the 1Ks I can't compare same to same. The Shapton 1K is fast and very aggressive, whether that's a positive or a negative in terms of razor honing is up to the user to decide. But I suggest following up with the 2K as that leaves a much nicer edge. For razors if the edge isn't damaged too badly I'd rather use the slightly slower, less aggressive Norton 1K. But I'll bust out the Shapton if it needs major work at the 1k stage to speed things along.

Norton only goes to 8K, Shapton Kuros go up to 12K. Shapton Kuros are splash 'n go, Norton 1K & 4K need to be soaked which can be a bit bothersome. It's not a major inconvenience but at this point soaking is a partial strike against a hone. The Shapton hones have a more uniform feel through the range of hones. So in those respects I give the nod to Shapton, but by the same token I typically finish on natural stones. These typically range from 8K to 10K-ish (my "12K" Cnat included). So I don't see a point in honing up to 12K then rolling the edge back on a natural stone. And trying to go from 5K to the naturals is slower than using the 8K Norton as a jumping point.

For my purposes, the Nortons are usually a better fit than the Shaptons I have at my disposal. 1/4/8/natural vs 1/2/5/12?/natural. There's not a significant speed difference between either set in my hands. And since my final edge is typically from a natural hone the end point is going to be the same regardless which set I opt to use to transition from 1K to final hone. It helps that the Norton 1K is less aggressive, even if it is also a very thirsty hone and I practically have to hone with a spray bottle in my left hand to keep it adequately wet.

To some the idea of Honing is as important as Shaving

Some that like the Shaving can get carried away in the Software aspect of Soaps and Creams maybe Brushes

It is all what we find important, I know if I was just honing for myself and my personal razors I would NEVER own all the hones I do..
Probably like William said above a 1k for setting bad bevels and my Nakayama with a few Nagura and I am good as gold


ps Reminds me of the saying

"Tell me I have 5 Hours to cut down a tree, and I will spend the first 4 sharpening the Axe"

Originally Posted by Marshal

It helps that the Norton 1K is less aggressive, even if it is also a very thirsty hone and I practically have to hone with a spray bottle in my left hand to keep it adequately wet.

That is my primary objection to the Norton 1k and the only reason I never would recommend it. Even keeping it 75% submerged, I cannot go 10 strokes without re-wetting it.

Yep, it isn't perfect. But it works. And I will get my $45 out of that hone before I die, or wear a significant dish into it trying!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

It is all what we find important, I know if I was just honing for myself and my personal razors I would NEVER own all the hones I do..
<snip>


ps Reminds me of the saying

"Tell me I have 5 Hours to cut down a tree, and I will spend the first 4 sharpening the Axe"

Excellent observation.

Or the saying that goes like, ""Beware the man who shoots one gun; he probably knows how to use it."

Agreed about what you need v what you want as far as hones go. But like another saying goes, 'It's better to have a gun and not need it, than need a gun and not have it.'

Originally Posted by gssixgun

It is all what we find important, I know if I was just honing for myself and my personal razors I would NEVER own all the hones I do..
Probably like William said above a 1k for setting bad bevels and my Nakayama with a few Nagura and I am good as gold

I envy your ability to narrow it down to a clear "favorite" system. Most of the honing regimens I employ are pretty simple setups, but they're fun to play with and each creates a nice edge in it's own right. I'm not sure I'd ever be happy with one path.

Aloha!

Great thread. I'm just getting started with Honing and am really enjoying the journey. Started with the Norton 4/8 and added a 1k and a 10k recently just to tide me over until my 12k arrived. The 12k is coming soon and I'll be done. As much as I am enjoying honing, I am going to keep it simple. I know of some gents that set the bevel on a 4k Norton, go to 8k and then a 12k finish and they are done. I also know some gents that have a 1k, 2k, 3k, 4k, 5k, 6k, .... well, you get the picture. Too complicated for me. I want to have fun and enjoy making a fine edge on my razors, but I also want to keep it more toward the simple side.

I guess the simplest gentleman honer I know of only has a Barber Hone and a Strop. That's pretty simple. But it works for him... so he tells me.

Mahalo!

-Zip