Amazon Bluesun hones test

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08-06-2017, 01:00 AM
nicknbleeding

Amazon Bluesun hones test

So i picked up from Amazon the cheap Bluesun hones, the 600/2000 and the 3000/8000. Im sure most are feeling they are junk. I have my doubts too. They seemed to have good reviews. I bought these for my woodworking blades but decided to try them on razors first for the hell of it. I'm not really in need of hones but don't want to use my more expensive hones on my tools. On first inspection they seem decent. I did try a razor on them but i believe i shouldn't have tried the 600. I did shave off the 8k. I tried first without stropping and it was not great. So i did 50 laps on my strop. Big difference. It was smoother and i did 2 passes. With the end results very nice. Now i didnt hone the way i usually do with circles and x passes. I only did x strokes. So i will re-hone the razor from a chosera 1k up to the 8k, i wont touch the 600. That was just a bad idea.

If anyone has anything i should try during the test please let me know
08-07-2017, 01:35 AM
nicknbleeding

So i re-honed my razor. This time of my shapton 1k. It was out so i used it. Then i did circles and x strokes on the 2k 3k and 8k. I usually do 3 sets of cicles and about 30 x. When finished tested on my arm hair. Very sharp. Under the loop i could see a tiny wire edge. I stropped 50 and it was still there then another 50. So it appears that these are fast cutting. I went back to the 1k. This time i did less strokes. I did 2sets of circles then 10 x and repeated the same to avoid the wire edge. This work much better. I repeated this on the 3 grits. Tried it on arm and leg hair. Very sharp. I don't have enough growth to shave so i will have to wait.

I will add that after every stone i was looking for any type of micro chipping and i have not seen any.
08-07-2017, 01:48 AM
nicknbleeding

Here is a quick pickhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2217a1c7e0.jpg

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08-07-2017, 01:54 AM
Marshal

Just out of curiosity how hard are they?
08-07-2017, 02:01 AM
nicknbleeding

They seem pretty hard.
08-07-2017, 02:02 AM
Ernie1980

Thanks for the review! I wonder how consistent they are from stone to stone.
08-07-2017, 02:05 AM
nicknbleeding

I hope they can be an affordable option for people wanting to get into honing.
08-07-2017, 02:29 AM
Marshal

That was kind of why I asked about hardness. Might be a good alternative for people that absolutely balk at the cost of a Naniwa 3/8 or Norton 4/8. The biggest problem with cheap water hones seems to be weak binder that allows for auto slurry and loose particles to wreak havoc on an edge. If these don't do that, are easy to use, and provide an OK shave we'll have an easier time steering folks away from the cheap hones we know won't provide a good result.

The cheapest good option when I was looking to get into razor honing was Norton combination stones at $130, $200 if you'd rather have single grit stones. Fifty for these is a much more reasonable entry fee if you're just looking to get your feet wet and see how you get along with it before really dedicating to a more expensive line.
08-07-2017, 02:39 AM
nicknbleeding

I agree. I had the same issue when i decided to start honing.

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08-09-2017, 12:00 AM
nicknbleeding

So i was able to have a test shave. I tried a small area without stropping. It was ok. I stropped 50 on leather. I finished my shave. I only did one pass. It was a comfortable shave. Understandably not as comfortable as when its off a finisher but off an 8k it was acceptable. It was a nice close shave with a few spots that if i did a second pass across the grain it would have been BBS all over. I will hone it again and try to increase my laps and refine the edge more. I will also to pick out another razor to test.
08-09-2017, 04:34 PM
DaveW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshal

Just out of curiosity how hard are they?

Not hard enough for tools!!

I had the same hones, but not marked blue sun. Given where they're coming from, they could've changed a little bit, but mine were a bit powdery. They'd have been decent hones for razors, but shapton pros directly from japan (kuromaku's) are not that far from them in price.

I ended up round filing my stones because I just didn't have time to figure out where I could use them.

(if they're harder now than mine were, that would be a good thing - they were branded UUsharp when I got mine).
08-09-2017, 04:47 PM
nicknbleeding

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveW

Not hard enough for tools!!

I had the same hones, but not marked blue sun. Given where they're coming from, they could've changed a little bit, but mine were a bit powdery. They'd have been decent hones for razors, but shapton pros directly from japan (kuromaku's) are not that far from them in price.

I ended up round filing my stones because I just didn't have time to figure out where I could use them.

(if they're harder now than mine were, that would be a good thing - they were branded UUsharp when I got mine).

These were about $20 each. They are not powdery and seem pretty hard. I did use the 600 on a chisel and did a nice job.

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08-09-2017, 05:12 PM
DaveW

That's about the cost for the uu sharps. They came with a little rubber square frame to use the stone in (same grit numbers as those) and they were mini size.

If you can find reasonable shipping, a shapton pro 1k is about $30 in japan, the 12k is $56 and the other stones are between those two.

However, if they work well for $20, then that's all that matters.
08-09-2017, 05:21 PM
nicknbleeding

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveW

That's about the cost for the uu sharps. They came with a little rubber square frame to use the stone in (same grit numbers as those) and they were mini size.

If you can find reasonable shipping, a shapton pro 1k is about $30 in japan, the 12k is $56 and the other stones are between those two.

However, if they work well for $20, then that's all that matters.

You have good prices. These 2 were $40. So 3 grits for that is not bad if they do turn out to be good for razors. I did buy them for chisel but testing razors on them.
If they are it will be an inexpensive choice for people not completely sure they want to dive into honing. This wont break the bank.

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08-11-2017, 01:50 AM
nicknbleeding

I re-honed the razor again. I started on the 1k shapton. This time i decided to not use the 2k. I think its too harsh and no need since i set the bevel on the 1k. So i did 3 sets of circles and 40 x. Funny thing i didnt have the issue with the wire edge. I repeated the same with the 8k.

Since in test an affordable option for people on a tight budget or not completely sure they want HAD like we do. I went on the my PHIG. raised a slight slurry with my DMT and did 50 x then rinsed the hone and did 50 with water.

Now for the test shave. I started without stropping. It was nice. Not harsh or uncomfortable. I did one cheek. Then stropped 50 on leather. The rest of the shave was impressive. It was smooth very smooth. I was very pleased. I did one pass and it is just as close as i expect from a razor. Sticky smooth with a couple areas that if i did 2 passes would have been taken care of. I will add that my hair growth was at the min i would shave at. Only because i would get irritation if the razor wasnt well honed.

So my only other change for an affordable combo would be instead of the PHIG would be the Jewelers test stone that you can buy for about $30. I think they are just black arkie's. That gives a buttery edge.
08-11-2017, 05:30 AM
Marshal

I've been wanting to get my mitts on one of these for a while now, and they JUST now released it in a suitable size:

Home Beyond Natural Green Polish Oil Stone Knife Sharpener M99G 10000# Whetstone | eBay

It's another Chinese stone, the really fine green polishing one. Now in 8" x 2" x 1". There are quite a few finishers that can be had cheap. I've seen folks luck up on Thuris and coticules at antique stores and flea markets for pennies on the dollar. You can probably put Arkansas stones in that category too. Just a matter of knowing where to look and putting in a bit of leg work. Welsh slates are another decent cheap option in my book. And of course the PHIG, which may not be the most consistent option but mine is good enough I'd never let it go.
08-11-2017, 10:55 AM
nicknbleeding

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshal

I've been wanting to get my mitts on one of these for a while now, and they JUST now released it in a suitable size:

Home Beyond Natural Green Polish Oil Stone Knife Sharpener M99G 10000# Whetstone | eBay

It's another Chinese stone, the really fine green polishing one. Now in 8" x 2" x 1". There are quite a few finishers that can be had cheap. I've seen folks luck up on Thuris and coticules at antique stores and flea markets for pennies on the dollar. You can probably put Arkansas stones in that category too. Just a matter of knowing where to look and putting in a bit of leg work. Welsh slates are another decent cheap option in my book. And of course the PHIG, which may not be the most consistent option but mine is good enough I'd never let it go.

I believe i saw that green one on amazon for $10.

The welsh are another great option. I have them too. I think with antique store you flea markets you need to know what your looking at for it to be good.

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08-11-2017, 11:08 AM
DaveW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshal

I've been wanting to get my mitts on one of these for a while now, and they JUST now released it in a suitable size:

Home Beyond Natural Green Polish Oil Stone Knife Sharpener M99G 10000# Whetstone | eBay

It's another Chinese stone, the really fine green polishing one. Now in 8" x 2" x 1". There are quite a few finishers that can be had cheap. I've seen folks luck up on Thuris and coticules at antique stores and flea markets for pennies on the dollar. You can probably put Arkansas stones in that category too. Just a matter of knowing where to look and putting in a bit of leg work. Welsh slates are another decent cheap option in my book. And of course the PHIG, which may not be the most consistent option but mine is good enough I'd never let it go.

I have one of those green ones already, but at that price with shipping, I bought a second one.
08-11-2017, 12:09 PM
Marshal

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

I believe i saw that green one on amazon for $10.

The welsh are another great option. I have them too. I think with antique store you flea markets you need to know what your looking at for it to be good.

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True, but Coticules are easy to identify even for a newcomer. That yellow and black coloring is fairly unique. Arkansas stones can be as well if you've seen a few pictures. Thuris and the like are more difficult to pick out I think.

I might order one of those green ones tonight.

Edit: I haven't seen them that cheap though. I thought those were the either the 4" x 2" or the 8" x 1" wide ones, and either of those is just a touch too small on one dimension for me.
08-11-2017, 01:10 PM
nicknbleeding

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshal

True, but Coticules are easy to identify even for a newcomer. That yellow and black coloring is fairly unique. Arkansas stones can be as well if you've seen a few pictures. Thuris and the like are more difficult to pick out I think.

I might order one of those green ones tonight.

Edit: I haven't seen them that cheap though. I thought those were the either the 4" x 2" or the 8" x 1" wide ones, and either of those is just a touch too small on one dimension for me.

Oh your right i just checked and it us too small.

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08-11-2017, 01:34 PM
nicknbleeding

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveW

I have one of those green ones already, but at that price with shipping, I bought a second one.

How is that green stone?

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08-11-2017, 04:10 PM
DaveW

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

How is that green stone?

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I only have one, which means I don't know how consistent they are.

They feel like they're made of slightly duller particles and they cut really slowly. So if you think of an arkansas stone (which has fairly large particles for a super finisher, and tires out quickly - which is how you can make it work for you to finish a razor), they're like that but even further in that direction. I'd almost say they feel like an arkansas stone that had the particles coated with plastic - a hard stone with a soft feel - and very slow (but you can always add a little pressure with a stone like that).

In terms of use, because it's so slow and because it's not raising anything at the edge, you can pretty much slide the razor around on it any way you'd like and it will improve the condition of the bevel. Whether or not that ultimately makes a difference in the shave, I don't know, but mine is capable of making as smooth of a shave as anything (and I mean anything, no matter the price level). If you pussyfoot around with the stone and just take light heel leading strokes like you'd take with a synthetic, the stone will never do anything, though. I could see lapping 1000 heel leading strokes with it and still not removing the stria from an 8k synthetic.

An ark is like that to a lesser extent, and so is a good phig. On all of those, I think it's useful to use moderate pressure at the start of the finishing and then taper the pressure off to finish, but I doubt it matters at all what direction the strokes are or what kind they are.

For $27, though, if you can think out of the box a little bit with them (like deviating from the low pressure on final honing that's the general rule), they have the potential to make a spectacular edge.

One side comment - once in a great while, I'll get something that feels like a stray particle, but they are dull feeling particles - it's not harsh like losing track of a piece of alumina or something.

I'll try to come up with some pictures of a good edge. I took pictures of an edge with the green chinese stone years ago, but the edge that I had in the picture had a little damage on, so it was misleading. I think that was an issue of the edge not quite being finished, and not the stone (but I don't remember).

Anyway, if someone is wanting to play with stones, but do it on the cheap, these are probably great. Even if you don't use the stone on razors ultimately, they make a fantastic burr chaser for knives and tools, because they don't really remove much metal and don't raise a wire edge.
08-11-2017, 04:22 PM
DaveW

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

How is that green stone?

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http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...faux-jade.html

I was fiddling with the green stone in this thread. The pictures of its work show that it leaves a very low-scratch surface. *must* bring a nearly finished edge to it, though. Sorry about the picture quality - the fact that each hone leaves different quality scratches (some very reflective, some not) on the surface of the razor bevel means the microscope software adjusts differently for the light and the pictures can't really be compared directly because of that.
08-12-2017, 03:12 AM
kelbro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshal

True, but Coticules are easy to identify even for a newcomer. That yellow and black coloring is fairly unique. Arkansas stones can be as well if you've seen a few pictures. Thuris and the like are more difficult to pick out I think.

I might order one of those green ones tonight.

Edit: I haven't seen them that cheap though. I thought those were the either the 4" x 2" or the 8" x 1" wide ones, and either of those is just a touch too small on one dimension for me.

Doggone it. I couldn't stand it and ordered one this morning. Too cool looking to resist. I'll pretend that I'm honing on jade :)
08-26-2017, 11:19 PM
kelbro

The stone came in today. Lapped fairly flat and coated in oil. I finished the lapping and burnished on a piece of well-worn 1K wet/dry. Beautiful stone. Shines like a piece of polished marble! I have not honed on it yet but the grain resembles a surgical black arkie. I wonder if these are a different color novaculite??

Next razor that needs a touchup will be the first chance to try it out.
08-26-2017, 11:21 PM
kelbro

Cedar box WAS NOT included.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...254af50014.jpg
08-27-2017, 01:20 PM
nicknbleeding

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelbro

Cedar box WAS NOT included.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...254af50014.jpg

Let us know when you try it.

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08-27-2017, 01:52 PM
Jlander

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelbro

Cedar box WAS NOT included.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...254af50014.jpg

Beautiful to look at! I went back throught the thread and do not see what it is or where it came from. Sorry if it's obvious and I'm just dense.
08-27-2017, 02:01 PM
kelbro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlander

Beautiful to look at! I went back throught the thread and do not see what it is or where it came from. Sorry if it's obvious and I'm just dense.

Another Chinese natural stone. Marshal posted about it on the second page. Got it off eBay.

Home Beyond Natural Green Polish Oil Stone Knife Sharpener M99G 10000# Whetstone
08-27-2017, 02:18 PM
Jlander

Thanks. Got it. Yeah I saw that earlier. At that price I hope it works well as a finisher.
08-27-2017, 05:08 PM
kelbro

Tested it on one of my hardest Harts and a 2.5 day beard. Nice finisher. Very little feedback unless you apply a little torque. I would equate this stone to a well-burnished surgical black arkie. Scratch pattern does look like a 10K +/- . Very keen edge. I like it and would recommend it. As with the PHIG (and any natural) there will typically be variances from stone to stone.