Thread: Sigma Power Select II

Well, the stones and holders arrived a few days ago but I've only just now had a chance to take them out for a spin. These are just initial impressions, as I have only managed to put 3 razors over them this morning so far. One was a new Dovo, one an old 5/8 Torrey, and the last was an old hollow Sheffield I had been putting off due to a frown.

The 1K is a big old chunk of black/grey compressed abrasive. My first thought was that Sigma were quite generous in the proportions - it is about the same size as the Norton 4/8 but perhaps 1.5 times thicker - but then I remembered that it probably needs to be that size due to how quickly it releases grit and therefore breaks down. Time will tell on that one, but it is a hunka hunka burning hone! Feels coarse and gritty to the touch.

The 10K reminded me, visually, of the Norton 8K - similar dimensions, perhaps slightly thicker, similar colour, similar feel though perhaps slightly "grittier" to the touch.

I whacked them both in some water for 5-10 minutes. The 1k bubbled away happily like a witches' brew for maybe a minute or two. The 10K pretty much just sat there doing whatever it is hones do when soaking in water.

First razor off the rank was the frowny Sheffield hollow. Holy moly! The 1K stone is fast! Started to see swarf almost immediately upon starting the circles. The feel under the razor is best described as "crunchy but consistent". You can hear a crunchy kind of noise, but the razor is not skipping or bouncing - the movement is consistent. Strange initially, but after a few reassuring laps with nothing untoward occurring, it starts to feel OK and the confidence kicked back in. One thing is for sure, you need to tape the spine with this stone.

Anyway, very quickly got that edge back to straight. Like perhaps 10 minutes or a bit less? I forgot to time it or count laps, sorry. The other two razors only needed a minute or so to get a decent bevel.

I took them all to the microscope and could not see any issues. Whatever scratches were there could certainly be handled by the Norton 4K.

Anyway, up through the N 4K, N 8K. Then onto the Sigma 10K:

Nice stone IMO, feels very much like the N8K under the razor. No real issues with the edge produced off it. In fact, it made quite nice edges that I am tempted to try to shave off one day as an experiment. It also releases grit quite easily, but it feels like it enhances the honing experience - there's some "grip". Perhaps because of this, I felt this stone had good feedback.

Finished them all off on Jnats. The edges under magnification seem identical to what I normally get.

So, to summarise. I bought the set mainly to try out the 1K, but the deal for both was good so I got the set. I actually really like the 1K stone. It is fast, has good feedback, and the release of particulates does not seem to have as detrimental an effect as I thought it might. Certainly nothing that running the razor over the Norton 4K cannot remove reasonably quickly. Having said that, the "gritty, crackly" sound/feel will probably not be everyone's cup of tea. Besides that, I have not tried any other 1K stones to compare this one to. The best I have is an Atoma 1.2K diamond plate. I like this stone better than the Atoma for bevel setting

The 10K doesn't really stand out in my mind as adding too much to the mix if you already have a Norton 8K to be honest. It is not a bad stone - it cuts quickly and seems consistent, gives a nice clean edge from what I can tell - but I have a few stones in that range, and in my mind they are all interchangeable with this one.

So those are my initial thoughts. I definitely do not regret getting these and I look forward to putting more razors over them, and in time collecting more data upon which to base conclusions. But at this early stage I am pretty happy.

James.

Ive ordered the Sigma11 10000 in order to hone a couple of my razors that normaly take a bit longer i suppose because of harder steel,just to save time.On my rotation 7 razors i use a coticule,hoping to bring a couple back into rotation but not prepared to take any longer honing or i wont bother.
Adductum

The Sigma 11 select 10000 arrived and went to work on a razor i could not previously sharpen a 6/8 TI,just dropped water on the stone and proceeded reverse in circles the slurry quickly went dark indicating steel/iron filings the feedback sounded and felt high spots like a coticule, anyhow in a very short spell of time 5 min or so the feel started to feel correct/flat no high spots,so i felt the edge and to my amazement and
pleasure the edge had been completely removed it was completely blunt,like a coticule with thick slurry but more so,i knew from experience i was there the bevel was perfect,i removed the slurry wiped the razor clean added water to the stone and did 4xgentle passes the correct sharpening direction,edge leading,and as i expected a perfect edge,I did 4x passes on my coticule because i like the way coticules shaves. and had a great shave perfect. Oh 5xpasses linen and only 10xpasses Swedish bridle strop just before the shave thereafter i will carry out my normal 50 passes on the strop.My conclusion is the Sigma 11 select 10000 grit stone could be described as a coticule for very hard steel,and because of its speed could easily make some coarser stones reduntant,for those who use them,professional honers etc.
A wonderful stone for those who can use a coticule.

i have the 10000 sigma 2 select and the 1200 which says sigma 2 select,but is not as it contain a small amount of binder.Sigma were not happy with the reviews of the 1000.The 1200 cuts very fast for me.
The 10000 is my go to straight razor hone almost exclusively.Like a coticule,no slurry for final edge.Hones my TI razors well,had trouble with these before.Anyhow 10/10 for me.