Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 30
Like Tree6Likes

Thread: King - Ice Bear 1000/6000 water stone for razor honing

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    london
    Posts
    76
    Thanked: 1

    Default King - Ice Bear 1000/6000 water stone for razor honing

    Hi All.


    Has anyone had a chance to use Japanese King - Ice Bear water stones?


    I'm getting my first stone for straight razor honing and the 1000/6000 combo is reasonably priced.


    Many thanks,

    Viktor

  2. #2
    Senior Member proximus26's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Kent WA
    Posts
    487
    Thanked: 43

    Default

    I have this hone. The 6k side for me is just great however 1k for bevel setting is little bit to harsh.

  3. #3
    Pasted Man Castel33's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    1,283
    Thanked: 269

    Default

    I have the king 1k and it is a good hone. I do not have the 6 k hone and most will say you need a stone 8k or over to get a nice shave.

    I normally finish to 8k for my razors. I have shaved off a 4k edge and it was a decent shave not something I would want to shave with every day.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    london
    Posts
    76
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Is the fact it's only 2" wide and not 3" a big issue?

    I heard good things about the Norton 4000/8000 but it's almost 3 times the price of the Ice Bear.
    Not sure if it's worth spending the extra cash as it's only purpose will be straight razor honing.
    It's 3" making it nice for razors as I wouldn't have to move the blade sideways.

  5. #5
    Senior Member celticcrusader's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Merthyr Tydfil South Wales UK.
    Posts
    5,601
    Thanked: 1413

    Default

    I have this hone including another 8K King stone and a few Naniwa super stones, and I rate the King stones highly, great value for money, and personally I really like the feedback i get while using this stone, and yes I know the stone is not a full sized stone, but it's perfect for a smiling blade, and easy to lap.

    Jamie.
    “Wherever you’re going never take an idiot with you, you can always find one when you get there.”

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    london
    Posts
    76
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Hi Jamie,
    forgive my ignorance but what is a smiling blade?
    The razors I have to sharpen are 3" wide.
    Do you think the stone size won't be too much of an issue?
    Thx

  7. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth Chevhead's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Upstate, New York
    Posts
    2,751
    Thanked: 708
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    Smiling Blade is one that looks like a 1/4 moon... ie... (

  8. #8
    Modine MODINE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Lee's Summit, Missouri- (KC)
    Posts
    1,442
    Thanked: 730

    Default

    The King Ice bear is a good stone to start on, I did. Keep the stone flat. You will need DMT plate anyway at some point. I hope this helps some.
    MIke



    Last edited by MODINE; 02-27-2013 at 10:21 PM.
    Hirlau likes this.

  9. #9
    Pasted Man Castel33's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    1,283
    Thanked: 269

    Default

    I actually prefer a 2" stone over a 3" stone. You just will need to learn to use the x stroke.

    Which is not that hard and is the basis of many of more advanced methods of honing.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Proinsias's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Glasgow, Scotland
    Posts
    224
    Thanked: 37

    Default

    I like mine.

    I find the 1k takes quite a bit of soaking and needs frequent lapping. The 6k is almost splash & go. The jump between the two can take some time and you're likely going to want further refinement after the 6k. I find the size good to use as both a bench stone and hand held. I like using the stone with slurry and it feels more like working with natural stone but I don't think it's necessary.

    What are you looking for from you first hone? I think the King is a good stone stone for the price but it basically provides a bevel setter and then a big jump to not quite shave ready. Paired up with a finishing stone and a dmt d8c I find it a decent system for keeping a house full of sharp things but I wouldn't want it as a one stone solution for razors. If you're just looking to keep already sharp razors sharp get a finer synthetic or natural stone, if want to set bevels and prep razors for a final finish on the cheap consider the King.

    A flat bit of marble or glass, some wet/dry paper, a king 1k/6k and a finishing stone/paste/medium provides a fairly budget friendly all in one razor solution in the UK. Whilst bearing in mind you get what you pay for the Chinese natural stones, welsh slates and Muller grindstones that I've tried improve the 6k edge to the point a pleasant shave can be had. If you've not already got it think about some chromium oxide, around 30,000 grit, on a bit of balsa wood or leather, I got mine from Neil at the Strop Shop for less than £2 and a few years on I still think it's the best cost vs performance vs ease of use I've come across.

    Sharpening stuff with my dmt d8c, king 1k/6k, muller grindstone, purple welsh slate, vintage coticule and chromium oxide:
    Name:  1.JPG
Views: 3705
Size:  225.9 KB

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •