Thread: Down the rabbit hole we go

I send my razors to a very good honemeister here in the UK for honing. This is my first foray into hones and honing and I'm mainly trying it out as I'm not at work just now so hoping it will keep me occupied, which I pretty sure it will! I got the Shapton and the 2 Gouken stones on a lot from a facebook group along with other stones, holders, a cheap lapping plate and some practice razors for what seemed like a very reasonable price to me (I have no idea what these Gouken stones are like nor the others that came with the lot, they seem to be cheap naturals?) I'm still waiting on my Naniwa 3000, 5000 and 10000 coming and then I can start the learning process 😳😳😳

I plan on using the usual Naniwa progression of 1000 for bevel setting then 3000, 5000, 8000, 10000 and finishing on the 12000. Seems to be the most relevant route for a complete novice like me to take after reading on here and watching GSSixgun and Lynns videos a lot.

Welcome to the rabbit hole. It's a long expensive drop to the bottom...if there is one...
I don't know anything about those Nats but they appear to be Japanese? Some of the Chinese stones are good but a lot of bad to so-so mixed in.
It sounds like you have a plan which is good. Plans are helpful.If I had one piece of advice worth listening to (and I'm not saying that I do necessarily) it would be this. Spend most of your time perfecting the bevel set. Everything from there is refining.
Good luck to you.

The boxes say 1,2,4,8 & 12k. Is that what you got?

If so, that is all you need, you do not really need the 2k. You do not need a 3,5, &10k.

They are all good stones all are synthetic non are Naturals. You should get a diamond plate to lap them if you did not get one. What is the cheap lapping plate?

Sounds like you got all you need, more than you need.

You can buy a good diamond plate of about $30 US. Then lap all your stones flat. Tons of threads and video on lapping synthetic stones are available.

I bought the 1000 and 12000 separately. The 2, 4 and 8 came with the lot as well as these below and the lapping plate.



Here is a link to the Gauken stones that I found, they seem to be Naniwa also but are slimmer than the super stones:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NANIWA-Japa.../dp/B008R61R88

A good loupe is a fantastic tool for honing.
https://belomostore.com/belomo-10x-triplet-loupe.html
There are many out there. Quality optics is better than high power magnification.
As Paul said, Getting the bevel set is paramount to a good edge. That is when the two sides of the bevel meet and for a perfect apex.
Taping the spine is much talked about. People new to honing tend to put way too much pressure on the spine, it will cause your spine to prematurely wear and mess up your geometry. Tape is likely your new best friend.
Learn with good razors and save the junk for when you want to learn about fixing razors.

Originally Posted by RezDog

A good loupe is a fantastic tool for honing.
https://belomostore.com/belomo-10x-triplet-loupe.html
There are many out there. Quality optics is better than high power magnification.
As Paul said, Getting the bevel set is paramount to a good edge. That is when the two sides of the bevel meet and for a perfect apex.
Taping the spine is much talked about. People new to honing tend to put way too much pressure on the spine, it will cause your spine to prematurely wear and mess up your geometry. Tape is likely your new best friend.
Learn with good razors and save the junk for when you want to learn about fixing razors.

Got a loupe and my tape sitting ready I have a Dandy and a Cathonnet Mazet 6/8 that are in good shape that I got from one of the UK guys in here (thanks Paul) and I'll practice on those. My others are heading down to The Celtic Crusader for a refresh

That diamond plate is fine for lapping stone and all you need. The smaller naturals are from a set that has been around on eBay for some time. They are ok but perform in the 4-6k range. The 8k and 12k will outperform them, all day long.

Learn on the synthetic progression 1,4,8, & 12k first. Then if you want try naturals. Nothing you have there will outperform the 12k, and possibly the 8k.

The 12k super stone has a tendency to load up and can cause finishing issues, just a quick lap on the diamond plate will remove swarf load up (black staining) and give you a fresh even cutting surface, especially for your final laps, always re-lap before your finishing laps, avoid problems.

Really the 12k Super Stone is so aggressive you can make the 4k to 12k jump easily but learn to use the 4-8k progression for now. There is an old post on bevel setting on the 12k super stone, one stone honing.

Hard to say what the other 2 stones on the left are, from the photo. The Naniwia Pro stones are inexpensive smaller stone, they are ok, but you already have a good 8k, use it.

Grid mark with pencil and lap all your stone under running water, lot of water. If you do not lap under water, you can rip out the diamonds from the plate. Make sure to bevel or round the corners.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

That diamond plate is fine for lapping stone and all you need. The smaller naturals are from a set that has been around on eBay for some time. They are ok but perform in the 4-6k range. The 8k and 12k will outperform them, all day long.

Learn on the synthetic progression 1,4,8, & 12k first. Then if you want try naturals. Nothing you have there will outperform the 12k, and possibly the 8k.

The 12k super stone has a tendency to load up and can cause finishing issues, just a quick lap on the diamond plate will remove swarf load up (black staining) and give you a fresh even cutting surface, especially for your final laps, always re-lap before your finishing laps, avoid problems.

Really the 12k Super Stone is so aggressive you can make the 4k to 12k jump easily but learn to use the 4-8k progression for now. There is an old post on bevel setting on the 12k super stone, one stone honing.

Hard to say what the other 2 stones on the left are, from the photo. The Naniwia Pro stones are inexpensive smaller stone, they are ok, but you already have a good 8k, use it.

Grid mark with pencil and lap all your stone under running water, lot of water. If you do not lap under water, you can rip out the diamonds from the plate. Make sure to bevel or round the corners.

Thank you I'll make sure to follow the advice I get on here and let you guys know how I get on, a tad nervous but looking forward to it.

Make your life easy and pick up a shoulder less razor, a Wedge brand or shoulder less Red Imp, $20-50.

The Wedge was made by a bunch of great American razor makers mostly from the heart of great American razors in the Little Valley during the early 1900, with great steel and grinding. You can pick up a nice one for 20-30 US, a bit more for pristine from the big guns, 50-70 bucks.

The Red imps are remarkably similar buy the shoulder less not shouldered. Many new honers have issues honing with stabilizers, so remove them from the equation and focus on honing, the bevel, and the edge. The are all great shavers and a snap to hone.

Second Try at Honing, is a post from a new honer, taking a beater from bevel set to shave ready, PCM. He took great clear micrographs of the razor at each stage of the honing process. Download those photos and just make your edges match his at each stage, and you are done.

For some reason if you search Second Try at Honing on the search tab it will not come up, but if you Google search, it comes right up.

At least it will make the learning process easier and more focused. Once you know what to look for, you are well on your way.

So I did it I know Euclid said I didn't need all of these stones for a full progression, but I'd already ordered them. so I waited until they arrived and tried to hone my first razor, Le Dandy. I had to go back 3 times to reset the bevel, was kinda toe heavy on one side. But I'm extremely happy with the shave I just got off it after 50 laps on my strop. I'm a happy camper Thank you guys for all the info! Especially Euclid440!