C12k feedback...

Up until now, I've been honing up to 8k and have been getting some copacetic shaves up to this point. Sooo, I figured it was time to get a C12k to see if I've been missing something.

After I lapped it up and rounded the edges, I went to work. I've been so used to the smooth silky feeling of my 8k Naniwa that it was a bit disconcerting when I noticed alot of stone feedback on my test razor. Well, I guess I'm going to screw the edge up on this one I thought. WRONG! That C12k really puts an edge on these razors! The edges don't seem sharper per se, but they do feel much keener on the shave. :)

So after that, I've got a couple questions for you hone geniuses.

1) Do all natural stones offer this level of stone feedback during honing?
2) Touch-ups: 4-5 laps on a Nani should touch-up a razor sufficiently, but how many on the C12k? I've been doing about 100 laps for final finishing, but for touch-ups how many may need to be used considering it's a much slower stone?
3) How many razors between lapping? It seems to me that this hone is so hard and the pressure is so light on the razor that you'll never have to lap it.

Overall, I really like this stone! For someone who need practice as simple as holding the razor on the hone correctly, this is the place to go since you'll have to do 100 laps to get a nice finished edge...this stone will sure build muscle memory quicker than the Naniwas...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by red96ta

2) Touch-ups: 4-5 laps on a Nani should touch-up a razor sufficiently, but how many on the C12k? I've been doing about 100 laps for final finishing, but for touch-ups how many may need to be used considering it's a much slower stone?

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I think C12k is an excellent stone. Cheap it is and you can use it many ways, depending on a thickness of slurry.
That said, it is very slow cutter. Some say they make about 100 or more strokes before getting noticeable results.

When used as a finisher after my Norton 8K or Sun King 6K, i've done about 30-40 strokes with slurry. I start with slurry, adding little water every 10 strokes or so, and then 30-40 with water. Works for me.
When used as a touch up, i make about 20-40 with water only.

Here are two threads that might help you out...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...uestion-s.html


http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...nese-hone.html

There are some differences in these stones, just like Coticules, Eschers, even Thuringens

I'm surprised to hear you are getting a lot of feedback on the C12k but none of the Naniwa 8k - for me it's the other way around.

For touchups on the 12k... it depends on how frequently you do it (i.e. how "dull" the razor is). I'd most likely do 5-10 on the 8k then 50-100 on the C12k. But play with it to see what works for your needs

You should never have to lap the C12k again, unless you use really heavy slurry on it.

This is a great little stone, for finishing or touch ups, ok, you do need a fair old number of laps, but for the price, who cares, sinse i bought my coti i dont use this so much, but it is a valued member of my stone collection.