Thread: Pre-coticule synthetic for bevel repair?

I'm in the market for a new hone...hehehehe (the giggle of a budding HAD casualty).

I've been using dilu/unicot methods with a natural BBW/Coti (with a fast cutting coti side) followed by a slower cutting (but higher quality) select grade coti. If there are no huge problems with the bevel or edge, the results are great and it doesn't take all that much time. BUT...if the edge has minor chips, or the bevel needs serious correcting, it can take a very, very long time to get things looking and feeling pretty.

I've got a 1000 grit suehiro (sold under Robert Larson Tools label), but it can be a little too aggressive. I read a thread where Lynn found a Naniwa 5000 sufficient for most bevel setting, but I figure my BBW/coti can do what a 5000 grit can do. I'm leaning toward a 3000, because it would only leave a narrow gap in approximate grit from that to the BBW.

So the question is: will a Naniwa 3000 be sufficient for minor repairs, or should I go lower?

I have the 1k and 3k Naniwa and I would say if you're looking to get chips out the 1k would definately be the way to go.

3k-5k will work fine if you have an Ok bevel already but if you're looking to go past that and set a totally new bevel or get into edge repair its got to be a 1k IMO. You could do it on 3k, but it would take you a lot longer.

I usually use synthetic stones right up until the final finisher where I swap to a natural but when I hone on my coti/BBW combo, I go from the 1k Naniwa to the coti with a heavy slurry, then the BBW with a medium slurry then the coti with a light slurry and finish on the coti with just water. That seems to work very well and leaves a very nice edge.

To be honest its worth investing in a DMT 325 diamond plate if you're going to get a Naniwa of any grit, just to lap it periodically. This then serves nicely as a chip removing device.

You can easily go from a DMT 325 to a 1K Nani to BBW with slurry and then on.

You would not NEED the 3K in this case.

Thanks--I wasn't sure if it would be too big a leap going from the 1K to the coti, but as long as I know it's worked for somebody I'll give it a shot. And great idea about the DMT for lapping. I've been using sandpaper, but I suppose I'd come out ahead in the long run as far as cost with the DMT, and it can do double-duty for serious damage. I like it!

Originally Posted by QuinnFlint

Thanks--I wasn't sure if it would be too big a leap going from the 1K to the coti, but as long as I know it's worked for somebody I'll give it a shot. And great idea about the DMT for lapping. I've been using sandpaper, but I suppose I'd come out ahead in the long run as far as cost with the DMT, and it can do double-duty for serious damage. I like it!

The DMT can certainly 'double-duty' as you say. I think many here use it for that. And you can definitely go from a 1K to a coti, although its not always ideal. Read my signature and you'll undertstand that a coti is not a known stone.

IF your coti can perform at least as a medium cutter as far as cotis are concerned, then its entirely possible. Not always ideal, but some swear by it. It's nice to have a 3K synthetic as an alternative honing setup. Different stones work better for different razors.

I don't bother using coticules for anything other than 8K + now and kept my smallest 4'' as a finisher. My other two which were 7'', I sold as I didn't really need or use them. That 4'' as it happens is a bevel setter as well as an awesome finisher in the 10K range. Great little vintage coti!

+1 on the 325 DMT, I have on for lapping and edge repair as Scipio says. Good stone!

I used to do all my honing with a King 1k (cheapest I found) and a BBW/coti. The jump is definitely not too large from the 1k to either the BBW with slurry or the Coti with slurry.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the Naniwa SS 1k - it's a little softer than I like, so it dishes a little more than I like. I prefer the Norton 1k, DMT1.2k, or the Naniwa Chosera 1k (those are in price order...).

Another plus 1 on the DMT325 for lapping. It's a great tool to have, and will save you lots of money in the long run. I have read some guys will take out chips on their low grit DMT's too (coarse, med, or fine), but personally I don't like to do that, even if they are relatively large, and if the chips are big I'll just pass on the razor (large, relatively large, and big are all subjective terms).

The Naniwa 5k or 3k CAN set a bevel, but it will take a while. The only exception (that I've found) is for NOS/new razors. Typically, the "factory edge" on those is good enough that you can go right to the Naniwa 3k or 5k and then progress on up through your hones.

I definately agree about the Nani 1k, its a soft stone. The Shapton 1k is a much more aggressive bevel setter and a harder stone (all the Shapton on glass stones are I think) and if the Naniwa is taking ages or needs lapping all the time I tend to swap over to the Shapton.

I might have to invest in a 1200 DMT as well. I've had a few razors of late that could have used it!

Thanks for all the advice! I hear all kinds of great things about the Shaptons as far as uniformity and consistency of results, but right now I tend to like the feedback of a softer hone. Is it more like the feel of a DMT than the feel of a natural? I've gotten some good results with my DMT D8EE, but there's something about the way it handles that I just don't connect with, for lack of a better phrase.

Anyway, what I decided to try out is a Naniwa 2K, and I plan to get a DMT 325 for lapping and for the initial work on the $5 eBay specials before going to the 2K. Worst case scenario is that it doesn't work out well, and I have to restock my paypal account for a new hone. And I do not dread having to do this.

One other question...well, two: down at the local Highland Woodworking they have a 400-grit 8x2 EZE-LAP for $38 bucks. I think it's one-sided, where the DMT is two-sided, but for that price and how I'll use it, I'm okay with that. Questions: does an 8x2 give you a significant lapping advantage over a 6x2? Also, is DMT significantly better than EZE-LAP? Ever used one?

My bevel setter of choice out of many

Is still and always will be a Norton 1k it is still my "Run home to Mama stone"