Thread: Re-visting the Chinese Hone

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I believe that the entire thread is about the Chinese Stone, so just a guess but perhaps that is what he is asking about ...


@Ru4scuba on mine I end up at about 40-50, the harder the stone the more you will do,, 100 is not unusual at all

Also one drop of dish soap or a swipe of lather adds a new dimension, or if you can get Smith's Honing Solution it works really well too

What was the last stone you used before your C12K? That's what I'm talking about.
If it was an 1k, for one stone honing, be prepared for, say, 500-1000 laps. If it was an 6k, much less. If it was an 8k, less than an 6k. And, if you don't know, but it has a good bevel, start with slurry. The worst it shaved before honing, the thicker the slurry.
For almost all of my naturals finishers, I use Smiths solution, and go for at least 100 laps after my 6k, just to be sure.
But the previous stone you used, before any finisher, is more important to know than the "go for 100"

Originally Posted by Vasilis

What was the last stone you used before your C12K? That's what I'm talking about.
If it was an 1k, for one stone honing, be prepared for, say, 500-1000 laps. If it was an 6k, much less. If it was an 8k, less than an 6k. And, if you don't know, but it has a good bevel, start with slurry. The worst it shaved before honing, the thicker the slurry.
For almost all of my naturals finishers, I use Smiths solution, and go for at least 100 laps after my 6k, just to be sure.
But the previous stone you used, before any finisher, is more important to know than the "go for 100"

8k Norton for about 10 laps. Set the bevel on the 4k side after multiple iterations of circles (sets of 20) followed by 10-15 x strokes. Went to the 8 k side and did about 20 no pressure laps....felt right for the C12k

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I believe that the entire thread is about the Chinese Stone, so just a guess but perhaps that is what he is asking about ...


@Ru4scuba on mine I end up at about 40-50, the harder the stone the more you will do,, 100 is not unusual at all

Also one drop of dish soap or a swipe of lather adds a new dimension, or if you can get Smith's Honing Solution it works really well too

Thanks. I see on the boards a lot of guys use slurry....what is the most common slurry builder? Nagura? Norton lapping stone? DMT? Norton Sythetic Nagura? Been doing all my honing at this point sans slurry...

After a Norton 8k, I don't think you need slurry.
As a general question, for a C12K, diamond plates, and C12k slurry stones are the most common. Although, coticule slurry also works well. And I suppose, Japanese naguras too. Since most of the C12Ks are quite hard stones, you can even use a slurry progression.

Originally Posted by Vasilis

After a Norton 8k, I don't think you need slurry.
As a general question, for a C12K, diamond plates, and C12k slurry stones are the most common. Although, coticule slurry also works well. And I suppose, Japanese naguras too. Since most of the C12Ks are quite hard stones, you can even use a slurry progression.

Thanks...sounds like I just need to work with the current progression I have until I find the sweet spot!

Originally Posted by Ru4scuba

8k Norton for about 10 laps. Set the bevel on the 4k side after multiple iterations of circles (sets of 20) followed by 10-15 x strokes. Went to the 8 k side and did about 20 no pressure laps....felt right for the C12k

I think I read the answer in another thread but did you try shaving after the 8k ????

The razor should be "Shave Ready before going to a finisher, where it becomes shave ready is going to be slightly different for each person, this is why so many people talk about where there progression goes.. For me I am perfectly comfortable coming off of any 8k I have tried.. Many people consider a finisher a complete waste of time and money if you can't get a comfortable shave at the 8k level... This testing also gives you a base point, if you are confident and familiar with the Norton 8k shave it is very easy to see if you are getting an improvement on not only your PHIG but in the future you can get instant and accurate feedback off of any finisher and any razor

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I think I read the answer in another thread but did you try shaving after the 8k ????

The razor should be "Shave Ready before going to a finisher, where it becomes shave ready is going to be slightly different for each person, this is why so many people talk about where there progression goes.. For me I am perfectly comfortable coming off of any 8k I have tried.. Many people consider a finisher a complete waste of time and money if you can't get a comfortable shave at the 8k level... This testing also gives you a base point, if you are confident and familiar with the Norton 8k shave it is very easy to see if you are getting an improvement on not only your PHIG but in the future you can get instant and accurate feedback off of any finisher and any razor

I shaved off the 8k about 5 or 6 times. Each time I got a decent (but not entirely smooth) DFS. Razor wasn't close to what I need for an ATG pass.Tried ATG twice and got bad razor burn both times. I definitely need to work the 8k more to figure out the sweet spot of when it's good enough. Truthfully, that could be said of the 4k/8k stone entirely. Last night I dulled an old dovo and followed Richmondesi's method he used in JaNorton. (I went with him because I've shaved off his edges before...you go with a trusted source when you're learning) I had to do a few more sets on the 4k than he did but eventually got a bevel that was cutting arm hair across the length of the blade. I went to the 8k for about 15 laps and then, instead of stropping moved to the CNAT for 100. I probably could have shaved off the 8k, but I wanted to feel the difference with the CNAT. it was definitely smoother today than the previous few shaves....not perfect by any means, but I'm slowly getting there.

Originally Posted by Ru4scuba

it was definitely smoother today than the previous few shaves....not perfect by any means, but I'm slowly getting there.

That is the Key right there

You keep adjusting one thing at a time until you get a system that works for you, one thing I will stress which you read often on here is that guys forget that it isn't only the system that is being improved as you work to get the "Perfect" spot many forget that their skills are also being honed too at the same time.. This is where we get those great newb honer revelations that they have found the Perfect system when in all actuality it is their skills that were honed to perfection and not the system

"The more you hone the better you get, the better you get, the more you hone".. Lynn Abrams NC meet 2009

Great point!
This is an awareness that pertains to most improvement.
I am not honing much right now, but my shaves keep getting better and better. Are my razors getting sharper? No, of course not, my shaving technique is improving....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That is the Key right there

You keep adjusting one thing at a time until you get a system that works for you, one thing I will stress which you read often on here is that guys forget that it isn't only the system that is being improved as you work to get the "Perfect" spot many forget that their skills are also being honed too at the same time.. This is where we get those great newb honer revelations that they have found the Perfect system when in all actuality it is their skills that were honed to perfection and not the system

"The more you hone the better you get, the better you get, the more you hone".. Lynn Abrams NC meet 2009

Good stuff Glen...thanks!