Thread: German Synthetic Hones... HELP!

http://www.nortonconsumer.com/upload...ms%20Flyer.pdf
Here they claim Norton 8000= Japan (JIS) 8000.

This is all very confusing. Henckels will be getting back to me with their supplier and their grit rating. Although evidence isn't conclusive, it should be at least equal to, if not better than the Nortons.

Originally Posted by khaos

http://www.nortonconsumer.com/upload...ms%20Flyer.pdf
Here they claim Norton 8000= Japan (JIS) 8000.

I see what you mean....

Like I said earlier, almost all manufacturers have different ways of measuring things, but in Norton's case I think it is bad information:

The Old Japanese Industrial Standards method was with the sedimentation tube method of separating grit, and the 2000 grit rating was 8.5 micron but with an acceptable variation of +/- 0.7 micron.

The New Japanese Industrial Standards method is by electrical resistance of the grit in suspension, and the 2000 grit rating is 6.7 micron but with an acceptable variation of +/- 0.6 micron.

The Norton sheet you have posted (which is the same sheet I got Norton's grit to micron ratings from) shows the "JIS" rating to be 7.5 micron, and as you can see above is not covered by the acceptable variance by either standard unless they were simply giving a rough median of the old and new standards combined.....which seems the most likely explaination of their listed information.


The main problem with being exact with grit ratings is that people like me that want to know EXACTLY what something is, are an extremely rare breed. Most people are content to simply call every "8000" stone an 8000 grit and assume they are the same or close enough, and they are content with that. Here on SRP and a few other places I have found others like myself that are more interested in comparing apples to apples and making sure that every possible variable is as closely monitored as it can be, so that our conclusions about a given problem are actually based on fact and not just a wild guess.

Let us know what Henckles says about the stone, I for one would be interested in the information and would like to add it to the list if it is good stuff.

If it ends up being New JIS 8k, I will be more inclined to try it, as apparently Norton 8k is equivalent to JIS 4k. (is this correct?) Even if it is old JIS 8k I might still be tempted. Right now I'm thinking I'll go with the Nortons as they're cheaper and this way I can get help and I'll learn to hone right, then I'll probably sell em off and buy the Henckels.

For any of you out there who read German naturally, please can you read the reviews near the bottom of this page on the Henckels?
Henckels @Amazon
I can read/speak German but its picked up from family and thus not fully comprehensive/often practiced. I believe he says the hone is of pretty good quality and works well, but it does not abrade and thus requires a rubbing stone? (much like Nakayama hones?) There's a part in there that I think he says he has not experienced this yet but is sure it will happen. When considering his review, do you think this hone would be favourable for razors? I realise this is a 250/1k, and it is probably JIS. I'm looking at quality though.

Thats the review I saw earlier on.
He says that other hones glaze fast and need to be lapped therefor, but this one does not.

Ah. So he is saying that about other hones, not this one?
Olivia, you are probably the best one (besides Henckels whom I asked very detailed questions of and will be contacting their Solingen office for answers and will be getting back to me) to help me as you can read German (this review is the best I've found) and you know about hones and grits and knives.
Would you buy this stone as a knife sharpener? Would you take a risk on it as a razor sharpener? There's no pressure, and I won't blame you, I'm just curious as to your opinion given our new findings that the grit is as fine as the Nortons. Would you trust the quality?

Well its a little pricey for an experiment or for being redundant
but if you buy no other hones and this one tickles your fancy - why not.
I just did not jump on it now - although you made me really curious - because I had other hone plans.

The worst thing that can possibly happen, is, that there are real big rocks in it that ruin your bevel like in the newer APEX, but that would be a reason to return it IMO.

Henckels has a reputation to lose.
They do not sell crappy stuff. Its only that their hones are designed for kitchen knives, so MAYBE (but a really big maybe) they are not especially picky about the purity of the material or a really high percentage of a certain sized grit in the material. (All hones only have a certain percentage of the grit size number material. The rest is smaller or bigger)

You are dancing around this hone now for quite some time and its cheaper in the US than it is over here (79.99 Euro). So go get it and tell us how you like it.

I am waiting for my final info from Henckels. I can get both combo hones from Henckels for $120, but I could get better buyer protection on Amazon, though that would be around $140. Hmmm. If this falls through I'll just go with nortons which will run $120.

The purity issue might be the same with Nortons or other hones, btw.
They are all not designed for razors.

This is a real good price btw.
79.99 € is sales price.
Normally its 90.00 €
and no way getting both for 120,00 €!