Thread: Utility Hone

Hey guys I am thinking of getting a hone but I don't just want a straight razor hone I want a hone that I can use for straight razors, pocket knives, and any other type of knife. What would you recommend? I was thinking a 4k/8k but I am not sure.

That's a big order, Nero.
I have a 4/8 like most do, but my knives do not touch it. I seperate the knife hones, from the razor hones. It's not that the 4/8 will not get the job done on knives, it's just that my razor hones stay lapped and un-blemished for my razors at a moments notice.
The thought of dragging my Ka-Bar across my Norton 4/8, causes me to shake a bit uncontrollably.
I use vintage Carborundums on my knives and finish with a beat up, old Swaty.

Thanks for the response I know very little about honing and hones beyond the wiki articles. So maybe a 4k/8k for a straight razor and I have heard good things about a 1k/6k for knives I believe.

PS: Sorry for giving you the shakes hehe.

A 1/6 sounds like a good combo for knives and maybe a 400 to 600 grit Carborundum for a rough condition blade, prior to stepping on the 1/6.

Hirlau,

You guys are killing my wallet between looking at amazing razors, soaps, brushes, strops, and now hones I am going to be broke alas as a poor college student and soon to be even poorer law school student I believe my wallet may never recover.

--MGNero

Originally Posted by MGNero

Hirlau,

You guys are killing my wallet between looking at amazing razors, soaps, brushes, strops, and now hones I am going to be broke alas as a poor college student and soon to be even poorer law school student I believe my wallet may never recover.

--MGNero

I know that story. It's a strange and pleasant misery.

The 4/8 norton will cost the most. Shop around for the 1/6 they are not that expensive, or a 1/4 of a different brand. You can get by with a 1000 only and a cheap $15.00 combo Carborundum for your knives. Remember these few stones will last you a lifetime; unless you get H.A.D., like most of us do.....in that case,,,there is always the food industry as a career.

I use my Nortons (220/1000/4000/8000) to hone both razors and knives. I orginally thought of keeping them separate (i.e. a set of hones strictly for razors and a different set for knives), but budget constraints lead me to use one set for both. No issues so far. The set works well for both.

Originally Posted by MGNero

Hirlau,

You guys are killing my wallet between looking at amazing razors, soaps, brushes, strops, and now hones I am going to be broke alas as a poor college student and soon to be even poorer law school student I believe my wallet may never recover.

--MGNero

Yea, but when you graduate you can submit a class action law suit against the shaving industry for ripping everyone off for all these years.

Originally Posted by MGNero

Hey guys I am thinking of getting a hone but I don't just want a straight razor hone I want a hone that I can use for straight razors, pocket knives, and any other type of knife. What would you recommend? I was thinking a 4k/8k but I am not sure.

There is absolutely no reason you can't start sharpening this way. sure it would be nice someday to have your hones always pristine and ready to go for your razors, but as long as you keep them flat you can go right back to honing razors.

Unless you are doing lots and lots of honing the point is moot IMHO. Get the combo water stone and hop in and learn and have fun. When times get better you can get whatever you want, but understand you won't lack for anything for a long while with a 4k 8k combo. Have fun and get going!