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I'm approaching the day where I need to learn how to maintain my straight razors.
I have a Norton 4K/8K stone, a Chinese 12,000K stone, and an artificial stone to assist in creating slurry.
I also bought a Swaty from someone for a pretty low price just in case I ran into trouble with the aforementioned real stones.
- What's best for the razor, or does it really matter?
- Is one method significantly easier for the user?
What is the artifical stone you're using to create slurry? If it's coarse, you won't want to use it on the C12k, and maybe not on the Nortons either. The slurry stone should be as fine as or finer than whatever hone you use it on (unless the slurry stone doesn't break down, like a diamond plate).
As for which works better, you'll have to play around to see. You should get really good shaves off the Norton 8k, the Swaty, and the C12k, but only you can decide which you like best.
As far as ease, the Norton 8k should be the easiest simply because the Swaty and C12k would come after that (so shaving right off the 8k saves you a step). After that, it again depends. The Swaty should take less strokes than the C12k, but the Swaty is shorter so that may take some getting used to.
a swaty is a "real stone". The swaty is definately easier though. You are looking a 5ish strokes to refresh an edge, vs 50 on the ch12k
If you are starting out with a shave ready razor and need to touch it up that is what the Swaty is for. The barber hones, like the Swaty, have more abrasive per square inch than the waterstones. This is what makes them effective in quick touching up. Say you've done your first pass and the razor isn't quite as sharp as it was. Pulling a bit. Doing some laps on the Swaty should bring it back to desired keenness.
If you are beginning with a razor that needs honing the 4/8 is the way to go. A 1k to set a bevel more quickly than with the 4k might be a good thing to contemplate. So if you want to learn to maintain a sharp razor the higher grit finishers and/or the Swaty are what you want to use. If you want to learn to hone razors begin at the beginning. Just IMHO. :)
From personal experience I can tell you that you can easily maintain a good edge for years with nothing but a Swaty. A Swaty and a pasted strop is even better.
I have and use the Norton 4/8K for tougher jobs but still rely on the Swaty as a finisher.
With the Swaty, use a light touch and sneak up on it. I dab some lather or hand lotion on the stone so that the blade sticks to the honing surface via suction. Then make your honing strokes with almost no additional pressure.
Works for me.
Semper circa,
LG Roy