Thread: Naniwa 12k's place in a progression

Where would a Naniwa 12k fit in a honing progression involving pastes?

I have a Norton 4k/8k and a pasted paddle with 1.0 and 0.5 diamond paste as well as 0.5 chromium to smooth out the final edge.

Is it as simple as using the Naniwa 12k after the 8k and then move onto the pastes? I am unsure of how a 12k grit compares to paste microns.

If the pastes end up being a finer polisher than the Naniwa, what would be the purpose of using it after the 8k...why not just go from 8k to pastes and save $75? I'm sure there is an answer and am hoping to be enlightened. The only thing I can think of is that the edge coming off the Naniwa is more refined 12k rather than 8k, and therefore if you decided to use the pastes, the pastes would end up being more effective? (polishing a 12k sharp edge vs. 8k edge)??

Originally Posted by Razorburne

Is it as simple as using the Naniwa 12k after the 8k and then move onto the pastes? I am unsure of how a 12k grit compares to paste microns.

Bingo You got it.
8k,12k+pastes+strop/

Originally Posted by Razorburne

Where would a Naniwa 12k fit in a honing progression involving pastes?

I have a Norton 4k/8k and a pasted paddle with 1.0 and 0.5 diamond paste as well as 0.5 chromium to smooth out the final edge.

Is it as simple as using the Naniwa 12k after the 8k and then move onto the pastes? I am unsure of how a 12k grit compares to paste microns.

If the pastes end up being a finer polisher than the Naniwa, what would be the purpose of using it after the 8k...why not just go from 8k to pastes and save $75? I'm sure there is an answer and am hoping to be enlightened. The only thing I can think of is that the edge coming off the Naniwa is more refined 12k rather than 8k, and therefore if you decided to use the pastes, the pastes would end up being more effective? (polishing a 12k sharp edge vs. 8k edge)??

Because where's the fun in that? We have to have all the stones we can get our hands one...That's what makes up MEN!!!!

Jim.....the point you make is soooooo obvious that I guess I didn't even mention it in my post , but....

....let's assume that some crazy person was actually ok with his level of manliness aside from the # of hones he has (crazy, I know, but try to stick with the imagery)....would having a 12k stone as an intermediate between 8k and pastes actually do anything to produce a better shaving edge, or could the same exact edge be created with the 8k and pastes alone (without 12kk)?

if not, why not? very curious...thanks, guys!

8k + pastes 20 laps
12k + pastes 20 laps sharpness will not be the same

8k+pastes 250 laps
12k+pastes 20 laps sharpness will be close.
hope this answer to your questions.
gl

I think what you might be asking is what is the difference between a stoned edge, and a pasted edge...

The stone creates a very sharp straight beveled edge...
The paste draws that edge out and slightly rounds it...

They are not the same thing, stones do one type of sharpening, and pastes refine that from the other direction....

So even using a 16k stone rated at 1 Micron is not the same as using a pasted strop with 1 Micron paste on it (Approximate micron sizes)

FWIW a 12k is around 1.4 microns

It seems like you're thinking that a pasted edge is a pasted edge is a pasted edge, and that that it doesn't matter what you use before it (in terms of what grit hone(s) you use). This isn't the case. Even though you're using a stropping motion instead, the paste still has an approximate grit level and as such, it can only sharpen/polish at that level. As Glen says, the feel of the edge will be different even for similar grit ratings (stone or paste), but the fact that there are 8k scratches being smoothed out or 12k scratches being smoothed out does make a difference in the end result, just as it does with different grit hones. The smoothing/sharpening/polishing of the pastes can only do so much in a reasonable amount of strokes.

It's the same principle as why you shouldn't jump from the 1k hone to the 8k hone.