Thread: What's Past 12K?

For finishing stones beyond 12K, I'm curious what's out there. I know about the Shaptons, but is there anything else at grits above 12K?

For now I'm out of money…but who knows...one has to be ready!

Other than the Shaptons I don't know of any synthetics that go higher. The only other way to go would be to put a fine grit paste of chromium or cerium oxide on top of a hone.

Or you just throw caution to the wind and start buying some nice naturals...

"Infinity and beyond!" You may be surprised at how relatively course a grit you can use to get past a true mirror finish if you use it correctly. At and beyond the 12 k level you will also be working at or near the grain structure of the metal which becomes more evident at the edge than in the middle if a surface.

I was lucky and bought a Osaki Japanese natural finishing hone from a member here.
That’s what past 12k for me.

13k.......................

Haha. I only know of the Shapton 16 and 30k. Naturals and naturals and naturals.... but then again, there is no way to actually know what their grit is. Maybe some that are reported as higher than 12k are actually not, but cut like they are...

The Ultrafine Spyderco is a synthetic that is somewhere past 12 K and it is relatively inexpensive. There are a few fans of this hone who love it for a finisher. I have one, but have never really gotten that friendly with it. I prefer the Shapton 16 and 30 as well as some of the naturals.

Hmmm...looks like I might just have to (GASP) work hard to improve at using what I already have.

So much easier to buy a new toy than hone my skills on my present ones!

I do have the BBW/Coticule coming…something to play with anyhow...

Can you hone on a piece of glass with .25 micron diamond spray?

Once I am done using my Thuringian stone I will give a razor 5 laps on a ChromeOx pasted paddle. 100 laps on linen another 100 on leather and I am ready to shave!