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I went ahead and bought the Norton starter kit with the 240/1k and 4k/8k stones and the lapping stone. So far I very pleased with my results. Should I start thinking about something finer than the 8k? And if so, what should I be thinking about? Will it actually make a noticeable difference on the razor?
Congrats on getting your set. First off, make sure they are lapped before putting the razors to the stones. As for what's next, get NOTHING ELSE. Not till you become good at getting a comfortable shave off the 8k. Give yourself time on those stones, the time you put in now will pay off big time down the road.
I will agree with the coach learn all the ins and outs of those stones before buying anymore stones.
Now if you want to indulge a little RAD . You can troll eBay for very cheap razors to practice one. I am talking about only 1-3 dollars a piece you can get some good honing practice on those razors. Just takes some patiences and not falling in love with any one razor.
I almost listened to the great advice given above. HAD took hold and I bought a shapton 12k as my finisher. However this is where I did listen.
Yes I have it but like you I am still just using the Norton stones and like you getting pretty good results. I am getting good shaves off the 8k but still
planning to spend some time with them and then moving onto the 12k.
Alas its still sitting in the box unused but I can hear it calling my name whenever I take the Nortons out for a spin.
Chris
my norton set is on order too. i got one of lynns shaving dvd's with the straight razor set i purchased from vintage blades. i was wondering about the coticule he used in the demonstrations and i was looking around for a 12k grit also. im glad i stopped here today and check this page out. looks like i will be doing some practicing. i guess i will hit e-bay and look around for some razors too.
jeb
+1. You will have to use the Nortons a while before you will get any benefit from the higher grit stones.Quote:
Originally Posted by coachmike
Trust me, I have no intention of getting any finer finishing stone for a while :)
Wife would kill me doing that so soon after the Norton purchase. Just wondering what grit stone to start thinking about, sounds like a 12k perhaps?
I must say that I am very happy with my results so far. I have about 10 eBay razors and I feel that I got 5 shave ready, 3 are close, and 2 are simply not cooperating. I have been using a finishing stone for about 3 years now touching up my working razor as needed so I'm not a total newbie with honing but I do admit that I have a lot to learn. I'm going to send my working razor back to Bob Keys for a professional rehoning so I have a good baseline with which to measure my own homing abilities. Currently I feel that I'm on the same level as the razor that he sold me but it is probably because after 3 years it's simply ready for a honing (and not just the touch ups that I've been giving it). I'm sure that will be a good reality check for me :)
The cheaper 12k stones are usually naturals. The quality is kinda hit or miss.
You might consider lapping film for a finisher. At least you know what you are getting for sure.
I'm not one for the lapping film, so I won't comment on that. I've never had trouble with the C12 out of the box, and I've always used a slurry on it, diluting as I go...works fine... Some guys have reported that they vary from stone to stone. They are naturals, so that's true.
I know the pull to buy higher grit stones is great. I would recommend really learning the stones you have first. Especially bevel setting when the need arises. Once you have that down, the rest is gravy as they say. If you absolutey must get a higher grit stone, (And I'm thinking you will) I recommend a Naniwa 12k. They are synthetic and very good stones.
If your Norton lapping plate is flat, I hope it is, it should give you no trouble on the Naniwa 12k. They are very soft. Unless someone knows something I don't.
Good Luck....
Actually, I've read that the hone must first be christened properly. This involves various esoteric incantations, libations, and Hooters waitresses tossing hot wings at your feet. Or so I've heard.
Your thread has made me excited. Now I want my Norton stones to get here that much faster.
OK, I missed the Hooters waitresses. That would explain a lot. I see that the devil's in the details...
One question about the concept of 'setting a bevel'. I just want to try and get this straight in my head. Is it simply (not implying in any way that it IS simple) running the razor across the stone till both edges meet in a straight line forming the cutting edge? If so, is this done with the regular X stroke? Always spine and cutting edge on the stone (or taped spine) and always moving toward the cutting edge? I've heard talk of doing 'circles', how does this figure in? How do you know when the bevel is set? Using the thumbpad test, etc.?
Can I answer this, as a honing newbie myself, and if I get bits wrong more knowledgeable folk can correct me?
* Yes, setting the bevel is just removing metal from the edges until the planes on either side meet in a sharp 'V' all the way along the cutting edge.
* The x-stroke works, but if you need to remove more steel (because of chips on the edge, for example) a more aggressive pattern like circles will get there faster. (Although - do people distinguish between honing out chips as phase 1 and setting a bevel as phase 2?)
* If you do x-strokes, the edge always goes in front of the spine, but if you do circles, sometimes it goes the other way. (And I've heard of 'back-honing' which is where the spine leads the edge, but I haven't messed with that and can't speak to it.)
* The thumbnail test is a good one once you think the bevel is there - it should be grippy with no bumps all the way along. And then you do a little more on your bevel-setting stone and then don't do the TNT any more, because it dulls the edge. Personally I haven't done the TPT, because I think I'll cut myself. Although it's doubtless useful for people who know what they're doing.
I got a PHIG from Amazon. It had a dark vein right across the middle of the stone. You would feel sudden extra drag as you crossed the darker vein. A few strokes and the edge was gone.Quote:
Originally Posted by zib
I bought another one from a guy in Poland on Ebay. It works fine.