Help Looking For New Hone

Hello all,

I’m seeking advice on what to look for in a new hone.

I currently go through the following progression.

I start the bevel with 600 wet/dry, then 1000 wet/dry, then 1500 wet/dry, then 2000 (all taped to a piece of plate glass).

Then I go to the following hone, and use both sides.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3650/dscn0573small.jpg

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I then follow up with the CK12.

I find that I prefer a wider (3”) hone to work with. I know that I could use a good bevel setter, but just don’t know where to go from there if I decide to get a combo.

I guess a problem I’m having is that I just don’t know what grits I’m getting with the Ambicut dual hone. I know that Utopian told me to go from it to the CK12, and I’m happy with the results, but does it eliminate the need for a 4000/8000?

I know I could use a better bevel setter, but don’t really know yet what my options are, and would appreciate any help.

I am on a budget, so don’t want to spend too much.

The Bester 1200 is a great bevel setter for ~$42. So is the Naniwa chosera 1000, but it's around $87 I think.

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Originally Posted by wsfarrell

The Bester 1200 is a great bevel setter for ~$42. So is the Naniwa chosera 1000, but it's around $87 I think.

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Where do you get them?
And how does the Bester do? Does it load up fast? Will I need to follow with something else.

Do I need something between the 1k and the Ambicut?

Anybody?

I have couple hones but will say none of them will eliminate Norton 4/8k.
it has his special place.
Very easy to learn how to hone.
Results are front of your eyes.
About the stone ambicut i don't have it the best way is use and check the edge compare other stones to figure it out how fine it is.
hope this helps.

I'm in agreement with hi_bud_gl. I would recommend the Chosera 1k as the bevel setter since I hear it is really fast and it is so thick it will last beyond a lifetime unless you're Lynn honing a thousand razors a year. I love the Norton 4/8 combo or the same in the 1" thick single grits. You can get the Chosera from Chef's Knives To Go and the Norton from SRD.

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

I have couple hones but will say none of them will eliminate Norton 4/8k.
it has his special place.
Very easy to learn how to hone.
Results are front of your eyes.
About the stone ambicut i don't have it the best way is use and check the edge compare other stones to figure it out how fine it is.
hope this helps.

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Good Idea (don't know why I didn't think of it sooner). Thanks for the advice.

You know, You can get a package deal with the Nortons. You can get a 220/1k, a 4/8k and a flatening stone here: Water Stone Kit

That's a pretty good with free shipping, but check the internet..With this, You'll get the 4/8k, the backbone of sharpening stones, and the 220/1k. 1k of course is your bevel setter, and the 220k will come in handy if you get any nasty nicks in the blade...

Yes those Nortons are the old reliables. You always know what to expect from them. Personally I think that's where guys starting out should start.

Being a non-conformist I started out with anything I could get that wasn't a Norton.

When I couldn't make my exotic hones work, and complained about it to enough people, I finally got enough verbal kicks to the head to convince me to get the Nortons. Once I did that, I finally learned how to hone. I really wish I would have just gotten them in the first place.

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I start the bevel with 600 wet/dry, then 1000 wet/dry, then 1500 wet/dry, then 2000 (all taped to a piece of plate glass).

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What's wrong with continuing to use the 1000-grit wet/dry sandpaper to set bevels? Just cut it to 3" wide.

IMHO, if you want a hone wider than the AmbiCut, the obvious choice is a Norton 4000/8000 to replace it. It will fill the gap between 2K sandpaper and the C12K.

. . . Charles (another sandpaper sharpener)

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Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

What's wrong with continuing to use the 1000-grit wet/dry sandpaper to set bevels? Just cut it to 3" wide.

IMHO, if you want a hone wider than the AmbiCut, the obvious choice is a Norton 4000/8000 to replace it. It will fill the gap between 2K sandpaper and the C12K.

. . . Charles (another sandpaper sharpener)

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Actually, I'm kind of liking the Ambicut as it seems to do a very good job of cleaning up the edge. It's the working up to that that I'm thinking of doing something about. Nothing wrong with the wet/dry, just thinking about getting a hone or two to replace it with. I figured that if there is something between the 1000 grit, and the Ambicut, I might go that route. Or, if there is some combo that will replace the 1000 grit, and add something between that and the Ambicut, then that might also be something to consider.

Your right though. I can get by with what I have (have been anyway). I can even use the fine and ultra fine rods from my Sharpmaker if necessary. Maybe I don't need anything else.

The glass plate i work on is about 8"x10". Sits on my lap nicely when listening to PC.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

What's wrong with continuing to use the 1000-grit wet/dry sandpaper to set bevels? Just cut it to 3" wide.

IMHO, if you want a hone wider than the AmbiCut, the obvious choice is a Norton 4000/8000 to replace it. It will fill the gap between 2K sandpaper and the C12K.

. . . Charles (another sandpaper sharpener)

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Originally Posted by ghostrider

Nothing wrong with the wet/dry, just thinking about getting a hone or two to replace it with.

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You use what is in hand and what you can get by with, right up until you get a full set of hones... Once you hone on a set, like the Norton 1/4/8 or the Naniwas or Shaptons you will wonder how you ever got by without them :)

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

You use what is in hand and what you can get by with, right up until you get a full set of hones... Once you hone on a set, like the Norton 1/4/8 or the Naniwas or Shaptons you will wonder how you ever got by without them :)

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That's kind of what I thought.

The sandpaper works just fine, but it would be nicer to have a hone to do it with. Maybe that Bester 12k will work for me.

Did you ever realize that the SRD ambicut hone is a combo with a natural side?
The synthetic is 6-8k and the natural is an excellent vintage thuringian.
If one like barber hones an naturals, this is a dream come true.
Size is good 6x2 and they came in wooden box and a slurry stone.Beside a bevelsetter the ambicut is everything you Will ever need

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Originally Posted by Frameback

Did you ever realize that the SRD ambicut hone is a combo with a natural side?
The synthetic is 6-8k and the natural is an excellent vintage thuringian.
If one like barber hones an naturals, this is a dream come true.
Size is good 6x2 and they came in wooden box and a slurry stone.Beside a bevelsetter the ambicut is everything you Will ever need

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Thanks.
This is information that I didn't previously know, and was kind of what I was looking for.