Thread: complementary hone for 8k

Hi Guys


I currently have an 8k hone. I realize that I would need a more coarse hone as well. Getting hones in Switzerland is kinda hard though.


I've found a german shop selling some japanese stone with 1000 grit on one side and 3000 grit on the other.


Would that be a good additional hone for an 8k? Can't find one with 1k/4k ;-(

What is the 8k hone? What is the 1k and 3k? If the 3k is on the fine side and the 8k is on the fast side, it would be fine. An example is that Naniwa 1k, 3k, 8k is a good progression, but since different hones cut differently, this may not be true for all brands.

I always think a good guide is to double the grit rating each time. 1-2-4-8-16 etc, but there are no hard rules.
Going from a 3k to an 8k is a bit of a jump, but if that really is all you can get hold of, it'll do it. You just might have to do more work on the 8k to remove the scratch pattern. Possibly quite a bit more.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

What is the 8k hone? What is the 1k and 3k? If the 3k is on the fine side and the 8k is on the fast side, it would be fine. An example is that Naniwa 1k, 3k, 8k is a good progression, but since different hones cut differently, this may not be true for all brands.

Well, my japanese is a bit rusty, but it does say the following on the package of the 8k hone: www.suehirotoishi.com.


I don't know about the 1k/3k one, it says "Linder" on the vendor site:

Japanischer Schleifstein/Abziehstein, mittlere/feine Körnung 1000/3000

(it's in german, sorry for that).

The reason why I am contemplating getting a more coarse hone is because I can't get my Dovo Black Star sharp anymore. I managed to get 2 other razors very sharp with it (pass the 'hanging hair test') but my Dovo doesn't really cut the hair on my arm anymore, unless I hold the razor in a 45 degree angle. It also pulls&tugs while shaving. My 2 other razors are fine though.

I know, as a noob, I'd be better off to send my razor to somebody for honing, but there's two problems

1) I want to be 'independent' of others.
2) Good luck trying to send a razor in a box beyond Switzerland. Switzerland is not in the european union and sending stuff abroad always causes problems with customs and stuff. Sure, you're not obliged to tell them what's in the box, but in that case they're gonna tear it up and look what's in it. And if I say it's a razor that I bought for 190 bucks I have to pay customs to send it abroad and once again to have it sent back to me.


I am really frustrated with this, since I don't know anyone who could professionally hone a razor in Switzerland and sending it to somebody in the UK/BeNeLux/Germany/France, whatever, doesn't seem suitable to me, either.

I guess I overhoned the Dovo on my 8k (I bought that hone for 160 bucks), so this is really my fault. I followed all the guidelines on the internet, i.e. use as little pressure as possible, less is more and stuff.

Maybe you have some other advice for me? I actually don't feel like tossing out another 50-100 bucks for a 2nd hone.

Those aren't hones I have any experience with, so I really don't know. I'd say give it a shot, though. At worst case, you'll have to put in some extra work on the 8k, as Ben said.

Could you fix it with just the 8k -I have no idea; I've no idea what the blade is like. For me, that kind of thing is tough to tell unless I can see the blade in person.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Those aren't hones I have any experience with, so I really don't know. I'd say give it a shot, though. At worst case, you'll have to put in some extra work on the 8k, as Ben said.

Could you fix it with just the 8k -I have no idea; I've no idea what the blade is like. For me, that kind of thing is tough to tell unless I can see the blade in person.

The blade is a standard-issue Dovo Black Star. Bought in August 2010.

I dunno... I guess I can ask the vendor if he has any clue....

*bump*


Guys

I have found out the following:

The edge is much sharper at the heel of the blade. Towards the point, however, it gets more blunt.

This can also be seen with the eye, it somehow gets "thinner" towards the point.

any idea on that?

I find the jump from 3K Naniwa to 8K Naniwa nice and easy, without problems. Sometimes I use a Tam O'Shanter or a Belgian Blue in between the 2 Naniwas, but it is far easier to compensate with a few more laps on the 8K.

Great hones are those Naniwas, true superstones compared to naturals, provided you have a system in place to and don't mind, lapping them routinely.

YMMV

You could get a natural or glued combination coticule. I say this in a very broad sense as long as you do not intend to bevel set with it as you could use the blue side for pre 8k, and the coticule side post 8k as a finisher; it should ameliorate or certainly smooth the edge somewhat.

Should be relatively easy to get in Switzerland as they are available from Ardennes in Belgium.

There is alot to consider, namely price. If you want to improve the shaves off your 8K and perform more aggressive sharpening, get a coticule combo. If you are happy with your 8k and do not wish to refine the edge further, this is a cheap option - http://www.strop-shop.co.uk/product/...tone_Hone_K1-6 from the UK.

Originally Posted by shiznix

*bump*


Guys

I have found out the following:

The edge is much sharper at the heel of the blade. Towards the point, however, it gets more blunt.

This can also be seen with the eye, it somehow gets "thinner" towards the point.

any idea on that?

Are you using more pressure towards the tang/heel or is the heel getting more time on the stone. Be sure you are keeping the blade flat on the stone. I hope this helps, with out seeing what is actually going on, all I can do is speculate.