Thread: Most aggressive set of hones

If the grit rating is the same which set of hones is more aggressive in removing metal? I have a couple old near wedge razors and have over 8 hours on just one of them at 1k for setting a bevel and it still is not there yet. I have read the other threads about using multiple pieces of tape and may try that as well but am thinking of getting a new bevel setting stone as I am currently using a King which I read was a slow cutter when I was looking but didn't think anything of it until now.

I have few DMT diamond plate hones that leave pretty deep scratch patterns in the razor's edge, but they're harsh edges, IMO.

Shaptons are known for cutting fast and so are the Naniwa hones. The Norton combination hone cuts fast too, that's why you can over hone on it.

As long as you're not going to use a natural for a bevel I think you'll be fine with any of those choices.

On a true wedge I've read that some guys tape and go to a norton 220 or a DMT 325 to begin with. I sometimes start with my DMT 600 with tape on the spine. Get a foundation and then go to the 1k and on up the ladder. For me that is only for full wedges and on grits coarser than the 600 I've only used them for serious chip or frown removal but I'm sure others will chime in with their preferences.

325/600 duo i used it when i need it you will spend hours on a wedge that has been absalutley dull. there is one in classified for sale

I've got the Naniwa and Shapton sets, and of the two I would say that the Shaptons are the more aggressive. I find that they put a very sharp edge on a razor, but it feels a little harsher on my skin than the Naniwas.

That said, I honed an old Sheffield wedge over the weekend on the Naniwas and its taken a really great edge. Certainly it doesnt take me any longer to hone on the Naniwas than the Shaptons but I had already done the edge repair with a 325 DMT beforehand, and I was using two layers of tape. That foundation on the 325 made the 1k stone work much easier..!

You might also find that using something like a 1200 DMT as a bevel setter, as those stones are pretty aggressive I've heard. If things are really slow it may even be worth getting a 500 or 600 grit stone as well (I think DMT and Shapton do stones at that grit), just to get the initial bevel set before you move on to the 1k.

Hope thats of some help!

First, yes the King is not the cutter that the Norton is 1k-vs-1k, I don't consider the Shapton nor the Naniwas as aggressive either...

But when dealing with wedges you have to understand that you are normally dealing with 100+ years of honing, and probably all different styles and stones...

That needs to be evened up first, then you begin a bevel set...You can do that on any of the 1k stones, but it will take as you have experienced, HOURS....

My personal weapon of choice to get an even pre-bevel is the Norton 220, I use a bit of slurry on there as it helps the razor slide better that is just what I use there are many other ways, the DMT 325 and a drop of soap works pretty slick too...Circles rock when doing this, inter-mingled with some back and forth or Japanese honing, cuts things fast and even, BTW, pressure is not a dirty word here, you are simply cutting steel this ain't honing... I have found that the 45 degree heel forward stoke gets the most even edge doing this, again your choice...

Two different thoughts here on doing this too
Tape the heck outta the spine and just get the edge straight...
Or even up the spine and the edge at the same time..

That is your decision to make, on your razor...


Now to honestly cover the other option too,

You can use the Rocking/Rolling X stroke, and hone the very edge of the blade, this will get you to a shaving edge the fastest, In My Humble Opinion, and from my experience, it does not correct the problems it only hones the very edge of the blade.... Again your choice to make...

I hope that helped a bit

Thanks all.. I will have to see about a coarser stone to start with then and go from there.

I haven't tried that many different hones, but at the 1k range, I think the DMT and the Norton are two of the more aggressive. I've been using the Norton 1k for a few months now, and I just recently got the DMT. The DMT does leave some pretty deep scratches, so I actually follow it with just a short time on the Norton 1k to remove the scratches quickly, then go on up to my Naniwa 5k. I've not been doing it long enough to really comment too much on it, other than that it seems to be working.

I have found that if I go from the DMT 1k (or 1.2, whatever it is) straight to my Naniwa 5k or coticule with slurry and then procede up my progression, I sometimes end up with a few scratches in the bevel, but the edge will shave great. I don't have a microscope, though, so I'm not sure if the scratches run all the way to the edge or are behind the edge. This is why it's always good to experiment on your own razors...

The DMTs are very aggressive

There is always a slight possibility that as the hone friable_izes it falls out of spec flat thus you are always honing a different bevel. I dont really think the King 1k breaks down that fast with typical light pressure razor honing- but it is something to keep in mind as you continue to use the stone: lap a lot and often.

If you dont have 325 dmt it would serve you well. You may not need it for this if you went with shapton pro or naniwa, bester. I'd suggust a dmt325 and 1k.