Sigma Power Select II

I just dropped some money on the 1K and 10K versions of these stones. Does anyone here have any experience with them? They are meant to be fast cutters. I've read differing accounts on their dishability - on the one hand I've read that the price for speed is that they dish, on the other I have read that they do not dish because they do their job so quickly! lol Perhaps it is all a moot point anyway with straights. Compared to tools or knives, there is very little metal to remove on a straight razor, even when setting a bevel.

Anyway, any and all information people might have would be appreciated. If no one knows anything, I guess I will just have to learn for myself and post back here in a few weeks when they arrive.

James.

I'll be interested in hearing what you thing of these stones James. I have tried the Sigma hard and soft 1K's and although they worked for bevel setting, I did not find them to work as well as the Aryshiyama and Chosera. I'd also definitely want to know what you think of the 10K's. I have found that the Chosera 10K although OK as a finisher, provided a little coarser shave than I like.

Thanks!

What were the shipping costs, James 'cause I was looking at the 13k as a finisher or maybe the 1, 6, 13k set?
Geoff

I have tried both Soft and Hard Sigma Power and did not like them for razors, they tend to release particles in the slurry and chip the edge.
I know Maksim tried the select II and did not like it for the same reason. So far nothing beats Chosera for me, the feedback/speed/dishing combination is just perfect for razors.

It depends what shipping option you choose. I think normal air mail was around $40? I went with something called EMS, which was a lot more than that, but I figured it was probably the best way to ensure they arrive quickly and intact.

You can do a "dummy run" on the website (I am assuming you are looking at toolsfromjapan.com) to see what your selected stones will cost to ship, and then bail out before it asks for payment details.

The 13K is not part of the Select II range, but I guess you know that. According to the proprietor, the 13K ceramic is an excellent stone. I'm tempted to try one myself.

James.

When you guys say Sigma soft and hard, are you referring to the Select II and the Ceramic versions?

Yeah, I wondered about the release of particulates and how they might affect the edge, since I have heard they do not break down. However, perhaps with enough time and patience I might tease some results out of these.

James.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

According to the proprietor, the 13K ceramic is an excellent stone. I'm tempted to try one myself.

James.

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Yes, James, I just watched the videos on the toolsfromjapan.com site and it looks like it would be a good set if I was just starting out.
I've already got a 1/3k japanese combo, an 8k and a PHIG.
I need a DMT and a finisher.
If I get the 13k I'll jump on my bike and bring it up so you can try it (any excuse to go for a ride up there...lol)
Geoff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Havachat45

Yes, James, I just watched the videos on the toolsfromjapan.com site and it looks like it would be a good set if I was just starting out.
I've already got a 1/3k japanese combo, an 8k and a PHIG.
I need a DMT and a finisher.
If I get the 13k I'll jump on my bike and bring it up so you can try it (any excuse to go for a ride up there...lol)
Geoff

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Deal! :D I'll supply BBQ, beer, and annoying dogs!

James.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mainaman

I have tried both Soft and Hard Sigma Power and did not like them for razors, they tend to release particles in the slurry and chip the edge.

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I remember when i first met So I was after a Sigma 10k but he talked me out of it for the above reason. I never got to try one as a result but interested to hear how you find them James.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

When you guys say Sigma soft and hard, are you referring to the Select II and the Ceramic versions?

Yeah, I wondered about the release of particulates and how they might affect the edge, since I have heard they do not break down. However, perhaps with enough time and patience I might tease some results out of these.

James.

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Jimbo I have the ceramic versions 1k both of them. Maksim has the Select II, and as I said he found it too released particles while honing.
They are supposed to be soft like King stones but a lot more aggressive.
By the way there is a King for Stainless Steel that is supposed to be pretty hard and fast stone, I wonder how that will work on razors...

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.