Thread: Chinese 12k, flattening stones (2 Q's)

I am flattening my waterstones for the first time. I'm noticing that on the Norton 1/4k they are very rough at the start. How much do y'all take off before using? In Lynn's video he talks about taking off 1/8". Really?

I currently have a chinese 8k and want to get a 12k. I did not find it on the woodcraft site. Am I looking in the wrong place? Any other soruces?

TIA

Goog

what is chinese 8k, can you post a link?

Chinese 12k

comes in 2 sizes.
Lapping this stone to remove 1/8" can be a big task, as this stone is pretty hard. If it is not too dished when you get it getting it flat is good enough IMO.

8000 grit whetstone.

sharpening stone 8000 Grit , ceramic whetstone - eBay (item 130331353317 end time Apr-13-10 15:43:15 PDT)


Looks like a different manufacturer from the one at Woodcraft. I ordered the one you linked. Thanks.

Goog

check this one out.
Natural Polishing Water Stone - Woodcraft.com

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

I am flattening my waterstones for the first time. I'm noticing that on the Norton 1/4k they are very rough at the start. How much do y'all take off before using? In Lynn's video he talks about taking off 1/8". Really?

I currently have a chinese 8k and want to get a 12k. I did not find it on the woodcraft site. Am I looking in the wrong place? Any other soruces?

TIA

Goog

The flatten or lapp your stone, it's recommened that you draw gridlines on one side, You can lapp it on flat surface, like a piece of glass or tile, or even your kitchen counter using wet sandpaper, lowest grit possible at first, 200 or 220 grit, until the gridlines are gone, then progessively work your way to 1000 grit to achieve a nice smooth scratch free surface.

If you have a DMT D8C or D8XX, it'll make quick work of lapping.....

You'll notice as you lapp the gridlines come off in some areas first, The high spots, eventually, they all come off and your stone is nice and flat...
When you say, "Chinese" the members think of the 12k.

Hope this answers your question...

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

I am flattening my waterstones for the first time. I'm noticing that on the Norton 1/4k they are very rough at the start. How much do y'all take off before using? In Lynn's video he talks about taking off 1/8". Really?

I currently have a chinese 8k and want to get a 12k. I did not find it on the woodcraft site. Am I looking in the wrong place? Any other soruces?

TIA

Goog

1/8" is an estimate. Basically you lap it to flat and then try it. If the hone feels gritty, then you need to lap some more. Trial and error is going to work better than a ruler!

The Chinese hone from Woodcraft is an excellent finisher for the price. The downside of it is that it can be quite slow. This can be improved with a rubbing stone that some people sell occasionally or you can cut the end off of your own hone.

In any case, you should be aware that the Chinese "12K" is NOT 12K. As a natural stone, it is a complete misnomer to claim a particular grit for this or any other natural stone. I prefer the term "Chinese Hone." With the advent of the Naniwa 12K, references to the Chinese "12K" are even more confusing as some have taken to simply referring to their "12K," and you don't know which you are talking about.

Appreciate the advice I'm getting. Somewhere along the line, I seem to remember someone speculating that the eBay 8k ceramic stone that I have was made by the same company that makes the "Chinese 12k." Looking at his Ebay store, he does have the one found at Woodcraft:

New Chinese Water Hone / Waterstone for Straight Razor - eBay (item 360161286789 end time Apr-04-10 10:44:56 PDT)

I reckon I'll find out when I get the box. I chose not to get it from him again because he ships from POLAND!

As to the honing process, I'm on the same page as everyone else so far. I start coarse (220) with hash marks and work up, though I've always stopped at 600 on other stones, mostly barber stones and coarser stones for sharpening woodworking tools. I'll try going up to 1k. I'm coachable.

Thanks

Goog

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

Appreciate the advice I'm getting. Somewhere along the line, I seem to remember someone speculating that the eBay 8k ceramic stone that I have was made by the same company that makes the "Chinese 12k." Looking at his Ebay store, he does have the one found at Woodcraft:

New Chinese Water Hone / Waterstone for Straight Razor - eBay (item 360161286789 end time Apr-04-10 10:44:56 PDT)

I reckon I'll find out when I get the box. I chose not to get it from him again because he ships from POLAND!

As to the honing process, I'm on the same page as everyone else so far. I start coarse (220) with hash marks and work up, though I've always stopped at 600 on other stones, mostly barber stones and coarser stones for sharpening woodworking tools. I'll try going up to 1k. I'm coachable.

Thanks

Goog

This speculation is flat out not possible. A ceramic hone is man-made. No company "makes" the Chinese Hones as it is a natural stone. It isn't made, it is simply mined and cut.

As far as the honing goes, generally for most razors you can start setting the bevel with a 1K hone. The only time you would need to go lower is when you have nicks or chips in the edge that are visible with the naked eye.