Newb with straights and hones

[gigglemonk]

Hey all
Im new to straights and have a kamisori on the way. Actually, I have 2 on the way but only one can truly be called a kamisori, the newb experience is unforgiving!.
Anyhow, I am rather familiar with using hones. I have a Norton 4/8 that I use on my hunting knives and routinely achieve hair popping edges. I understand that the steel, technique and use are all going to be different for the straights. I am simply curious as to what other hone I should pick up. I have read that the kamisoris are generally made with a harder steel and can take a higher grit than the Norton.
How much of my knife sharpening can I rely on during the learning phase? What higher grit stone can you recommend?
Thanks all

[mjhammer]

Hi Gigglemonk!!

Your question has a thousand answers and each person to answer will have a different preference. But!! Here is the usual breakdown of stones most use.

So, you have a Norton 4/8k. That is really all you need to set a bevel and achieve a shave ready razor. Most folks will tell you that you don't really need anything else, as long as the 4/8k is flat and ready for honing razors.

A DMT D8C (325 grit) is a must for flattening and making slurry. A Stone holder for it is a great thing to have as well.

A lot of folks will use a lower grit stone (say a 800 to 1k) to set their bevels before taking it to the norton.

Then after the 4/8 you can go to high grit polishing stones to perfect your edge as you might like it. I have a C12K to finish on after th 8k and that is all I use. Others have everything else, including naturals, Coti's, Thuri's, JNats, you name it, if it is higher than the 8k it is a finisher.

But to re-iterate, the only thing really needed is the 4/8. All else is preference IMO (and as I've been taught here many times).

Good Luck!! And welcome to the brotherhood!!

M

[PhatMan]

gigglemonk,

Please have a peek at these most excellent video tutorials on honing by GSSixgun :

gssixgun - YouTube

Aside from demonstrating many different types of hones, he has specific tutorials on honing kamisori.
Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

[nicknbleeding]

Knife and razor honing are 2 diff things. Try not to apply your knife approach to the razor. Watch the vids and see. If your razors come shave ready then 4/8 k will maintain them. If not then a 1k will be needed. I recomend a chosera. Well worth the money but if it is too much then a norton or king. I dont know how to hone a Kamisori but i have heard it is a bit diff on the number of strokes per side. With a razor it is even with a Kami its not. I think.

For a finish there are many options from natural to synthetic. Syn give consistant results. Nat very from stone to stone.

[supersco]

Hi Gigglemonk!!

Your question has a thousand answers and each person to answer will have a different preference. But!! Here is the usual breakdown of stones most use.

So, you have a Norton 4/8k. That is really all you need to set a bevel and achieve a shave ready razor. Most folks will tell you that you don't really need anything else, as long as the 4/8k is flat and ready for honing razors.

A DMT D8C (325 grit) is a must for flattening and making slurry. A Stone holder for it is a great thing to have as well.

A lot of folks will use a lower grit stone (say a 800 to 1k) to set their bevels before taking it to the norton.

Then after the 4/8 you can go to high grit polishing stones to perfect your edge as you might like it. I have a C12K to finish on after th 8k and that is all I use. Others have everything else, including naturals, Coti's, Thuri's, JNats, you name it, if it is higher than the 8k it is a finisher.

But to re-iterate, the only thing really needed is the 4/8. All else is preference IMO (and as I've been taught here many times).

Good Luck!! And welcome to the brotherhood!!

M

+1 on the Norton 4K/8K, it's basically the gold standard.

[instantcrow]

The norton 4/8k is the way to go. All you need to be able to shave. After that the story gets really interesting. There's a panoply of finer stone to finish: belgian yellow coticules, japanese naturals (risky), german eschers, shaptons, etc. Learn how to set a bevel and shave on the norton. This is where it's at. Time and effort well spent. Then cruise the forums to learn more. Good luck.

[JeffR]

"Knives" and "razors" sharpen the same way. Only the degree of fineness are generally different between them.

[bloodhoundman]

They do sharpen in the same way but the methods are quit different