Thread: King 1K as bevel setter?

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.

Originally Posted by Soilarch

...The King ... requires far more water. If you're use to using a spray bottle forget it with the King. ...

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...