Thread: The REAL holy grail of hones?

Tools for working wood says they are synthetic.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Also 40-45k range stones seem to be overkill when everyone complains that even the edge from a 30k Shapton is "too sharp".

Apples and oranges, my friend. A synthetic stone puts a different edge on a blade than a natural stone, maybe 30k synthetic is unpleasant but 40k+ natural is wonderful.

Then again, I don't have shaptons to compare to, so I'll take your word that the 30k is superfluous.

I guess I just have a hard time believing that a 10k hone could ever achieve the smoothness that a finer natural stone could because there will always be 10k grit in the slurry, no matter how fine some of the particles become.

With the reviews, it's VERY tempting to try that stone. However, I share Russel's skepticism. Chefs are slicing through carrots and other foods, none of which can say "ouch" or get razor burn.

The theoretical merit the reviews of that stone seem to tout which intrigues me is the idea that in theory, this stone could act as both a finisher and polisher in one stone. Leaving the 8,000 grit range and finishing completely on this stone. I find that interesting but I don't have the money to play product reviewer for it. If I DID have the money, I think I'd spring for it and give it a shot just for fun and experimentation. Heck, a guy could always sell this stone on Ebay as I'm sure it holds its value well and would be snatched up in a heartbeat by chefs or woodworkers. So....buy it, try it out and if it doesn't work sell it on Ebay for maybe $40 less than you paid for it? It might be worth the risk.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

Apples and oranges, my friend. A synthetic stone puts a different edge on a blade than a natural stone, maybe 30k synthetic is unpleasant but 40k+ natural is wonderful.

Then again, I don't have shaptons to compare to, so I'll take your word that the 30k is superfluous.

I guess I just have a hard time believing that a 10k hone could ever achieve the smoothness that a finer natural stone could because there will always be 10k grit in the slurry, no matter how fine some of the particles become.

I do have a 30K Shapton Pro and got it at a great price thanks to Telly. I do not find the edge polished on the 30K harsh or unpleasant. Another case of the results being determined by the Indian rather then the arrow? For me the REAL holy grail of hones was the Y/G Escher. Now that I have one I find that it is all that it was cracked up to be. I am interested in the Nakayama and other Japanese hones but feel pretty well set with what I now have so maybe the HAD is subsiding..... for now.

Originally Posted by JimmyH-AD

so maybe the HAD is subsiding..... for now.

Jimmy, you know it will flare up again, don't you? It's incurable.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

Jimmy, you know it will flare up again, don't you? It's incurable.

Chris L

Yeah, you're probably right. I wouldn't bet against it. Great score you got on that Dark Blue.

Cool conversation going on here! Personally I just wanted to stir up some HAD talk. I don't really have HAD at all and don't plan on trying any stone this expensive unless it hones the razor for me. I also think the point about what people cut with kitchen knives vs. a razor is a valid one. Doesn't mean that it wouldn't work as well for razors... that is something that has yet to be seen lol.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Cool conversation going on here! Personally I just wanted to stir up some HAD talk. I don't really have HAD at all and don't plan on trying any stone this expensive unless it hones the razor for me. I also think the point about what people cut with kitchen knives vs. a razor is a valid one. Doesn't mean that it wouldn't work as well for razors... that is something that has yet to be seen lol.

Hey Alex, what's the big idea stirring up the HAD pot like this? That's like setting an open can of Mountain Dew next to a wasp's nest and we HADdicts are the wasps. Yeesh!

Chris L

Do you know, we polish the edes so fine nowdays with a 50,000 grit paste that maybe, just maybe, the sticky edge........ whiuch is so desirable........... can be reached with a "one pass" on any 10 to 15K hone ..... maybe.

Or maybe the carrot chopping hone wrapped in gold, is the answer to our prayers.

I'll let someone else buy one. Forgive me, but I'm fed up with hype. I'll wait for the numbered limited edition wrapped in platinum.

No disrespect, Chris.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

I don't really have HAD at all and don't plan on trying any stone this expensive unless it hones the razor for me.

Alex, buy the stone for me and I'll hone all your razors for you .......