Thread: Best grit progression?

I realize this may be subjective but what do you all think is the best progression in terms of grit?

I currently have the double-sided Naniwa 4k/8k. I was thinking of picking up the 1k as the starter and then the 12k for the finisher with the 4k/8k between the two.

I figured it's about time I learned how to hone! Thoughts?

You will be fully equipped with such a set up, I used that same exact naniwa progression for many years before going the minimalist coticule route .

The chosera 1k made by naniwa is a great choice for bevel setting and the 12k naniwa is a very good finisher.

I found a few laps on chromium oxide after that progression also helped take off some harshness and bring up the keeness a few notches.

Generally, a 1,4,8, 10 or 12k is a good simple progression that will allow you to do most honing from eBay fixers to touch ups.

You can finish on Paste or go to a natural from an 8k easily, Slates, Jnat or Ark or film.

Norton or Naniwia 1k’s are proven performers, but so are the $20 King, so you can spend your money on a finisher where it can really make a difference.

Chrome Oxide on a good 8k edge is very comfortable, on a 10 or 12k even better. I honed on the Norton 4/8k for years, my combo stone, (now a knife/tool stone is pretty thin.

You can set a bevel on a 4k and an 8k is plenty for most touch ups, but if you are learning to hone, a $20 King is a no brainer.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Generally, a 1,4,8, 10 or 12k is a good simple progression that will allow you to do most honing from eBay fixers to touch ups.

You can finish on Paste or go to a natural from an 8k easily, Slates, Jnat or Ark or film.

Norton or Naniwia 1k’s are proven performers, but so are the $20 King, so you can spend your money on a finisher where it can really make a difference.

Chrome Oxide on a good 8k edge is very comfortable, on a 10 or 12k even better. I honed on the Norton 4/8k for years, my combo stone, (now a knife/tool stone is pretty thin.

You can set a bevel on a 4k and an 8k is plenty for most touch ups, but if you are learning to hone, a $20 King is a no brainer.

I'm completely unaware of the $20 Kings, thank you for letting me know about that.

I tried to learn how to hone years ago just on the 4k/8k followed with a pasted strop then a clean strop and I could never get a comfortable edge. I figured perhaps I should try a progression starting with a 1k and going as high as a 12k.

Ultimately, I'd love to get into natural stones but I believe I'm getting way ahead of myself.

I use a Naniwa progression. 1, 4, 8, 10 or 12, and a natural finisher. Depending on the natural I am going to, I may choose to stop at the 8 or 10. I think going to the 12 and then a natural is sometimes going backwards. Also a lot of blades don’t have as smooth of a feel if you spend a lot of time with a lot of hones over 8K. I did for a while shave off of my Norton 8K and got wonderful shaves. I still bust it out every now and again. You really should feel free to experiment and decide what you like the best. Jumping around a lot can make it complicated. The recommended method I started with was gong to the 8K and hangingvout with it until I was getting all I could from it and then getting another hone and holding there until it was all working. At some point I went on a buying spree and I have several hones that I have never really learned well

PHI Start looking, and you'll start seeing it everywhere. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21

Originally Posted by RezDog

I use a Naniwa progression. 1, 4, 8, 10 or 12, and a natural finisher. Depending on the natural I am going to, I may choose to stop at the 8 or 10. I think going to the 12 and then a natural is sometimes going backwards. Also a lot of blades don’t have as smooth of a feel if you spend a lot of time with a lot of hones over 8K. I did for a while shave off of my Norton 8K and got wonderful shaves. I still bust it out every now and again. You really should feel free to experiment and decide what you like the best. Jumping around a lot can make it complicated. The recommended method I started with was gong to the 8K and hangingvout with it until I was getting all I could from it and then getting another hone and holding there until it was all working. At some point I went on a buying spree and I have several hones that I have never really learned well

Hmm, this makes me want to go back and try my hand at just the 8k. I don't have too many blades that need the bevel set, most are already there. Although I definitely want to learn how to set and bevel and go all the way to shave ready.

For the most part though, most of my honing needs are just touching up the blade after it starts to fade. I tried doing that with just the 4k/8k and strop and could never get any comfortable shave out of that.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I use a Naniwa progression. 1, 4, 8, 10 or 12, and a natural finisher. Depending on the natural I am going to, I may choose to stop at the 8 or 10. I think going to the 12 and then a natural is sometimes going backwards. Also a lot of blades don’t have as smooth of a feel if you spend a lot of time with a lot of hones over 8K. I did for a while shave off of my Norton 8K and got wonderful shaves. I still bust it out every now and again. You really should feel free to experiment and decide what you like the best. Jumping around a lot can make it complicated. The recommended method I started with was gong to the 8K and hangingvout with it until I was getting all I could from it and then getting another hone and holding there until it was all working. At some point I went on a buying spree and I have several hones that I have never really learned well

There's a 4k Naniwa? I see a 3k and 5k only.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Generally, a 1,4,8, 10 or 12k is a good simple progression that will allow you to do most honing from eBay fixers to touch ups.

You can finish on Paste or go to a natural from an 8k easily, Slates, Jnat or Ark or film.

Norton or Naniwia 1k’s are proven performers, but so are the $20 King, so you can spend your money on a finisher where it can really make a difference.

Chrome Oxide on a good 8k edge is very comfortable, on a 10 or 12k even better. I honed on the Norton 4/8k for years, my combo stone, (now a knife/tool stone is pretty thin.

You can set a bevel on a 4k and an 8k is plenty for most touch ups, but if you are learning to hone, a $20 King is a no brainer.

Could you please give me a steer on just what this $20 'King' is. I've looked at a 'King' 1000 'Deluxe' stone on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016VC46A...01BB3VYK4?th=1
Is this what you're referring to? Also, I don't understand what they mean by 'one size' - which is the one you're possibly referring to, because it's around $20.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by Phanta

Could you please give me a steer on just what this $20 'King' is. I've looked at a 'King' 1000 'Deluxe' stone on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016VC46A...01BB3VYK4?th=1
Is this what you're referring to? Also, I don't understand what they mean by 'one size' - which is the one you're possibly referring to, because it's around $20.
Thanks.

That is the one I purchased, Phanta. Great stone!