Shapton 12K giving worse edge than Norton 8K
Hi all, just wondering if anyone has some thoughts on this conundrum. I am a beginner shaver (~6 months, last 2 months exclusively straight), and a beginner honer, so I don't have much experience on which to base any judgements. I already had a Norton 4/8K and a Shapton 12K for sharpening woodworking tools, so I've been learning how to hone a razor on these stones. I never really had used the Shapton much on my woodworking tools, but I've sharpened chisels, planes, and knives on the Norton 4/8.
What I'm finding is that I can get an ok edge off the Norton 8K which will catch arm hair at a low hover. I'm sure its far inferior to what you experienced honers are capable of. After about 50 X strokes with light pressure, I do 20 with no pressure. The edge looks polished afterwards. If I then go to the Shapton 12K and do some light strokes, the edge does not look as polished afterwards and also more importantly doesn't catch hair as much.
After the 8K I'm doing about 30 strokes on a CrOx strop followed by extended regular stropping. I can shave with this edge, though as I mentioned I'm sure it would be considered sub-par by the discriminating shaver.
Is it just that my honing skills are not up to using the Shapton 12K? Would another make of finishing stone be more likely to do me some good? I'm of a mind to just sell the Shapton since I'm not getting any use out of it, but I could be persuaded to persevere.
My razor is a home made fixed blade in O1 steel, hardened by Mike Blue.
thanks,
-Holly