Thread: King 800/4000/6000?

I can pick up the following King stones for about $40

1) 800/4000 comb waterstone 8 x 2
2) 6000 single grit waterstone 7 x 2
3) Nagura stone (slurry stone?)
plus a stone holder

3 Piece Waterstone Sharpening Set | Rockler Woodworking Tools

Is it worth it? Or, should I just by the Norton 4k/8k for $70 off Amazon?

Will I still need to buy an 8k or better stone?

The King 6k stone is at the very very bottom of the "Shave Ready" spectrum, most everyone that shaves with a straight wants a bit higher grit for their face.. It can be done but, if you shave with a razor that has been done on a true finsher, there will be a noticable difference, in general the 8k level is considered to be the minimum that is comfortable...

YMMV

dont forget you'll need to flaten your stones too (325 dmt) . the stones you buy depends on what type of honing that you plan on doing if you are only buying straight razors that are shave ready you'll need at lease a 8k and a flatting stone. if you plan on buying ebay razors then you'll need a full progression on hones

I get a decent edge from a King 1K>King 6K>Chromium Oxide on balsa or leather. The shave straight off the 6k is certainly useable, just a little rough.

For $40 the King set looks like a good deal that will cover a lot of ground. You will probably want something a little finer though, I generally go to a natural stone after the 6k.

I would say that in my opinion, the King's are the most inconsistent of any of the sets out there right now. If it's just that you want cheap (which is not the worst thing, but I would prefer to look for value), then good luck with them although I would definitely at least find an 8K stone. As far as a 6K being a useable edge, or even a little rough, it is just that, rough. There is no pleasure, again in my opinion, in a rough shave or even one that is barely tolerable. The beauty of this sport is the closeness of the shave and the ritual that makes you look forward to shaving every day and then some.

Have fun.

Good advice so far. The Norton set is missing a low grit stone & the King set is missing an 8k.
Kings are soft except for the 300 which is a hard but slow cutting stone, even with slurry.
If you hone a lot of razors you'll find flatness suffering on the 4k if you jump from 800 grit. I always used a 1200 grit in between & an 8k after the 6k. They are great stones for Japanese knives benefitting the final cosmetic finish.
I like my Kings but can't help thinking if you only plan to maintain razors the Norton 4/8 is a good idea.

Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards getting it, and finding a natural stone for finishing. One of my daughters collects Samurai/Ninja swords. If they ever need sharpening ... or, if I ever start trying to make Sushi ...

Are the stones useful for sharpening kitchen knives (good ones like wusthof)? or would that ruin it for razor purposes?

My sharpening routine is king 1k, Norton 4/8, 1 micron diamond paste, chromium oxcide.
The king 1k is great for bevel setting. I had it before I SRS strictly for sharpening wood chisels. In fact, I still use it for sharpening both my chisels and my razors. I just make sure I flatten it before I use it on my razor. The kings would most definitely be good for kitchen knives as well. Just keep em flat for the razors!!!

I use my King 1K/6K for knives, razors and the occasional tool, it's my sharpening workhorse. As long as you don't mind flattening often there shouldn't be a problem.

Paired with a dmt d8c and a natural finisher I can keep the stones flat and sharpen knives or razors from chipped to shaving sharp. Wet/dry paper on a flat surface can cheaply take the place of the dmt for lapping and/or removing chips but after a few years of doing so the dmt really is a joy.

Pastes, powders & sprays on leather or balsa are also a cheap way to explore more refined edges.

Originally Posted by 11505rl

Are the stones useful for sharpening kitchen knives (good ones like wusthof)? or would that ruin it for razor purposes?

Wouldn't ruin the stones for razors but you'll be lapping & flattening more often is all.