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I'm looking for a new bevel setter, I currently got a Naniwa SS 1K, but the clogging of the stone is starting to tire me.
I've tried the Chosera 1K, which, in my opinion worked great, but is rather expencive compared to other 1K stones.
I've found the King 1K stones a couple places at a reasonable price, anyone here have experience with them? If so, how are your experiences, and is it a stone you would recommend?
In advance, thanks.
FWIW, I see Glen using the King for bevels in quite a few of his honing videos, so it can't be that bad!
Let's hope he will chime in here.
I used the King 1k for a while, but eventually moved up to other stones that better fit my needs. I don't remember the King 1k as clogging up much. It is definitely a harder stone than the Naniwa SS 1k, so you'll probably appreciate that too. Speed wise, it may be a little slower than the SS 1k, but I don't really remember because I haven't used one in a while.
All in all, I think the King 1k is a really good bevel setter for the money, especially if you're not doing that many razors.
I really like my King 1k as a bevel setter. Like has been said it is slower than other 1k's. Personally I find it to be a more forgiving stone, especially if you are a beginner, than the Noton 1k.
I haven't tried the king yet but I think Glen uses them in his videos and likes it. Also if you can't afford the chosera 1k I heard the 800grit chosera is awesome for bevels and is cheaper.
I use the King 1K for setting bevels. I'm no expert and I only hone for myself. I saw Glen using it in his videos so that sold me. I like the feel and sound much more than the 600/1200 Duo Sharp I used before. I get a fine bevel before moving to the coticule. I keep mine in water since it soaks up water like crazy when in use.
Real glad I got it, so yes I'd recommend it.
...Ray
I have the King 1K and the Nani SS in 1-10K... The King is much much much harder of a stone, and it requires far more water. If you're use to using a spray bottle forget it with the King. That being said I've never had to deal with it clogging up. I got it for knives, but like Ray I'm very glad I got it. Definitely worth the $$$. My only hesitation is to let you know if you need to keep water running over it IF you have a razor that is almost a wedge AND you don't want to keep the blade shiny. It's possible (not easy, but possible) to scratch up the blade with the loose stone particles in that particular situation. Flush it with water often or stick to hollow grinds and it shouldn't be a concern.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soilarch
I had a set of Kings for awhile and that's what I remember about them.
They are the thirstiest stones I have ever seen.
Thirsty stones allright ;)
I used the 800 & the 1200 for bevel setting in the past & found they needed more frequent lapping than the Shaptons I prefer now but that's only a problem if you're batch processing a number of razors at a time. One thing rarely mentioned is they give a nice smooth polish.
Honestly I haven't met a 1k stone that "Doesn't" work :)
I experimented with quite a few, I don't know why, I guess because I still consider the bevel set to be the more important part of the honing process and everyone argues the Finishers.. :) Trust me there is very little difference in those too, but we like to hear ourselves talk...
Anytime I give comparisons it is against the Norton 1k which I consider to be the standard of these stones...
The King needs soaking, not wetting, real honest to god soaking in fact I leave mine soaking all the time. (1/2 oz Bleach per gallon of water keeps the slime away)
It is a slower cutter in comparison
It leaves a very nice very shallow scratch pattern
It works very well when you raise a slurry, (Be careful as mentioned above for errant scratches above the bevel many 1k's have this problem)
The price is right
Honestly take what us "Professional Honer's" say with a huge grain of salt, you don't need a $90 Chosera 1k unless you are honing a lot of razors, we use them mostly because of the speed at which they perform...
Thanks for all the answers, I still haven't decided what to get, but I leaning towards trying a King stone, I don't hone a lot, usually a razor or two each weekend, sometimes a couple more, sometimes non at all. And for the price of it, if I'm not happy with it it's not a big loss.
Only problem now is that I haven't managed to find any vendors who carries it that will ship to Norway at a reasonable price,(I have somewhat trouble accepting to pay $19 for the stone and $45 for shipping) some don't inform about shipping cost up here at all.
Anyone know where to look?
Japanese Waterstones: King and Sun Tiger
Don't know how they compare on prices...but being out of Germany may make them better to deal with than American based companies?
Maybe eBay ? Could get lucky with a seller nearby.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zephyr
If your honing 2 or more razors every weekend, maybe you do want a Chosera. I don't know, I have lots and lots of razors, and I don't hone that often. When I do need to set a bevel, I normally reach for the King 1k, or Naniwa 1k. I like the king, but it is slow, and it does dry out really, really, fast, I constantly have to rewet it, probably every 10-20 lapps.
Interesting.... Though I don't have a King, I find that my Norton 1k is an extremely thirsty hone. I probably have to rewet every 10-20 laps, just like zib described above (albeit with a different hone). Is the King that much more thirsty by comparison?
IMHO the King takes longer to get wet :) I think they stay wet about them same length of time ie; not long enough :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
True enough. With the Norton I can literally watch a pool of water disappear like it was being sucked up in a sponge.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Than get a naniwa 1k from Jarrod at The Superior Shave, or from Metal master. They have both good prices, and cheap shipping options to the EU. I have my chosera 1k from Metal Master, and I had no problems with shipping to Hungary.
They're the ones charging $45 for shipping and $19 for the stone, and for a total of $64 I can just as well add another $11 and get a Chosera from Metal master.Quote:
Originally Posted by Soilarch
Living in one of the last countries in Europe still refusing to join the European Union, makes the shipping cost from coutries inside EU ridiculously high :(
I will probably hone a lot less in the future, as I'm not buying that much "ebay specials" anymore, the Naniwa works fine, but I think it's clogging a bit too much. I think I'll just see how my honing routine will will stay in the future, and take it from there.Quote:
Originally Posted by zib
I am currently also looking at the King, as I am in search of my very first hone(s) set.
Here are a couple of eBay links (Europe) I have bookmarked - no affiliation:
eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
and
eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
dragging this thread up from the catacombs...it motivated me to buy a King 1K as my bevel setter
I have a 1k it's thirsty as hell but it will do,the job.. I'm no pro it's just my hobby.. So I wasn't willing to drop serious cash on a chosera if I never got a knack for this honing thing
Why I bought one too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Airportcopper
I am a noob at honing straight razors and i have kings 1k and a 6k with slurry and i do find them a bit slow until you get the slurry going... But they are very good stones... Soak them !!!! Like everyone said! Thats the 2 cents from a noob!