Thread: Buying a Polishing Hone, but which one?

I own an 8x3 combination coticule, and a Japanese stone that's named 'My Precious' which was done in all seriousness.

They are both elegantly wonderful and not for sale. I wouldn't know how to assure you of such quality, I spent money and got lucky both. Twice.

My best source is currently out and waiting hopefully, on the large belgians, but medium sized may exist. On reliability and speed, a combo belgian isn't arguable, much more likely to be pleased than with the same dollar number spent on japanese.

unfortunately with the strength of the yen, stones aren't cheap one bit, in dollars. Almost 50% increase in a few years on currency rates alone. So a fine japanese hone must wait on the magic intersection of luck and money, hurrying not useful.

Get the best belgian you can find. The Japanese stone, plan on chasing very Gently.

Ok, even though I asked about readily commercially available stones, the information I got back from Alex at thejapanblade.com was unbelievably detailed. I was getting little information about other stones from retailers. I understand that natural stones are always a risk, but for the price the stone is worth the risk. If anyone is looking for a Japanese natural hone, Alex is your guy. When I get the stone I'll post a review. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I'm somewhat new to the straight-razor world...not new to maintaining edged tools, but, admittedly, razors are a big step above chisels and knives, however, with the reading I've done here and finding that people developed good shaving edges with 1000/bevel, 4000/8000 combo stones, then paste/strop of choice and finish with a clean strop...I have this step up and after reading, additionally purchased a 12000, just because I enjoy this type of thing, am new and trying to get a great edge, (reasonably).

Once again, I'm nobody here, with an opinion worth little if anything about the world of honing, but, I pause a bit at the numbers like 30000 for a finish hone, especially when you hear that others like the .5 micron paste, but, that .25 over develops the edge...then again, others swear by it. I realize that much of this is subjective...personal preference, (5/8 versius 6/8...hollow/half-hollow/wedge, etc)...but...sometimes an ignorant new guy who knows little can't help but get the impression that the focus changes from a shaving instrument and what it takes to get a great shaver, to the tools and yet another wonder product, (admittedly a male trait that I am so damn gulity of myself). So, do we wait for a 100,000 hone to come out.

I'm probably wrong but all those posts and videos of great edges obtained off an 8000 and a couple of strops...12000 was better...16000...now 30000...I mean, does it stop somewhere?

________________
Scott

I understand your point of view, and admittedly, I have been shaving off of an 8k and Crox for 6 years now without complaint. I also can't really say a Japanese natural is better yet, but my reasoning is that Japanese tradesman have been sharpening tools with these high grit stones for 1000 years, so there must be something behind the high grit stones. I have 9 different razors from a 150 year span and can definately tell the difference in types of steel. So to me its worth it to try a high end Japanese natural out. I got a money back gauruntee anyway.

Originally Posted by hardblues

I'm somewhat new to the straight-razor world...not new to maintaining edged tools, but, admittedly, razors are a big step above chisels and knives, however, with the reading I've done here and finding that people developed good shaving edges with 1000/bevel, 4000/8000 combo stones, then paste/strop of choice and finish with a clean strop...I have this step up and after reading, additionally purchased a 12000, just because I enjoy this type of thing, am new and trying to get a great edge, (reasonably).

Once again, I'm nobody here, with an opinion worth little if anything about the world of honing, but, I pause a bit at the numbers like 30000 for a finish hone, especially when you hear that others like the .5 micron paste, but, that .25 over develops the edge...then again, others swear by it. I realize that much of this is subjective...personal preference, (5/8 versius 6/8...hollow/half-hollow/wedge, etc)...but...sometimes an ignorant new guy who knows little can't help but get the impression that the focus changes from a shaving instrument and what it takes to get a great shaver, to the tools and yet another wonder product, (admittedly a male trait that I am so damn gulity of myself). So, do we wait for a 100,000 hone to come out.

I'm probably wrong but all those posts and videos of great edges obtained off an 8000 and a couple of strops...12000 was better...16000...now 30000...I mean, does it stop somewhere?

________________
Scott

yes if it is possible , which I doubt, the
HADs here will buy it.

I guess when you think about it part of the enjoyment of SRS is all the stuff that goes along with it and the processes...a guy can't have too many razors, (knives, tools, fly-rods, guitars), and there isn't a woman alive who has too many shoes!

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There's more art in the price tag of japanese stones. Buying european stones, other than from collectors, curse them all! , is a bit more like buying sausages.

Be aware you can occasionally find a very good japanese stone severely underpriced for ugly. I mentioned getting lucky and that was one of the times.

The 'kosher' coticules are theoretically visually perfect, but whether that translates into finer polish is arguable. It's reasonable to assume the smallest microgarnets produce the best polish, and that size varies.. but to know without personally testing each stone seems impossible. That's why I doubt any claim that one or the other (euro or japanese) is 'best'. Between two specific stones that is determinable, but it falls apart talking about any OTHER two stones. You can know the answer for sure, specifically, but it doesn't extrapolate.

I finally got my Japanese Suita stone and it was definatley worth the price. While I can't compare it to a man made 30,000k, I can say that I have had a stainless steel Dovo for 6 years that I have never liked. It never gave me a comfortable shave, even when it was sent to me fresh from professional honing. This morning it was as comfortable as my $1200 Mastro Livi. I guess if you do your homework and buy from a reputable source, a Japanese Natural is definately worth it and not a risk at all.