Thread: Help! (ok... advice?)

So... Damn AD's!! First blades, now rocks!

So after reading (and while reading this thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...huringian.html ) I bought 2 stones from AJ on the Bay.
I got these...
12"x3" Natural Purple Razor Hone Yellowlake Sharpening Stone Knife Tool | eBay
Large 8"x 3" V Fine 15K Slate Sharpening Stone Oilstone Hone Planes Chisels | eBay

So in itself, I think I am ok with these purchases. The advice I seek is about Arkansas stones, specifically the hard black surgical, and the translucent. I have been wanting to get one for, well, a long time...

Is there a benefit to having either of these stones for razors? I have synthetics from 500 to 8000 grit. I reading as much as I can, but I'm unclear on these stones. On site that sells them say the translucent is NOT as good as the black, another says there is no difference, other than color.

How are these stones for razors?

Advice appreciated, thanks guys!

I have one of each and I've used them on a few razors. In my experience they leave an edge similar to a coticule in being 'forgiving' and somewhat mellow. If that is all you had I would say you could get by with them. If you didn't have any stones for razors I would tell you to get something else. If you are a collector of hones, who likes experimenting with different stones, to experience the nuances of one over another honed razor, I'd say get them just to play.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I have one of each and I've used them on a few razors. In my experience they leave an edge similar to a coticule in being 'forgiving' and somewhat mellow. If that is all you had I would say you could get by with them. If you didn't have any stones for razors I would tell you to get something else. If you are a collector of hones, who likes experimenting with different stones, to experience the nuances of one over another honed razor, I'd say get them just to play.

I finished on a translucent arkansas for many years and had excellent shaves. You can't judge it by grit rating, you have to use specific gravity. If you every see one of the old Mastro Livi videos, you will see that he finishes on a translucent arkie - that can't be a bad recommendation!

They are horribly slow, though.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I have one of each and I've used them on a few razors. In my experience they leave an edge similar to a coticule in being 'forgiving' and somewhat mellow. If that is all you had I would say you could get by with them. If you didn't have any stones for razors I would tell you to get something else. If you are a collector of hones, who likes experimenting with different stones, to experience the nuances of one over another honed razor, I'd say get them just to play.

Now I need to know... What would you recommend fo me to buy?

Originally Posted by PierreR

Now I need to know... What would you recommend fo me to buy?

What do you have now ? Let me tell you what I did ..... I bought hone after hone and ended up with a pile of them. The problem with that approach was that I never got to really know any of them well because I had too many to play around with. I finally disciplined myself and stopped buying more. Then I further disciplined myself and began using each family of hones until I began to see what I liked. I sold all but a few and have used those primarily since then.

I kept a chosera 1k, norton 4/8 and an escher. I also have some coticules for a bit of variety and the fore mentioned arkansas. So I would say if you have enough to do the job don't buy more until you really get to know the tools you have. Unless you are a hone collector, in that case you'll have to get all of them you can afford ..... it never ends ...... until the money runs out.

So here is what I have...
Beston 500
Bester 1200
Big Green Brick 2000
Suehiro Rika 5000
King 8000
Ohira Range Suita & Asano Tenjyou Nagura

And now tonight I bought the stones above.

Originally Posted by PierreR

So here is what I have...
Beston 500
Bester 1200
Big Green Brick 2000
Suehiro Rika 5000
King 8000
Ohira Range Suita & Asano Tenjyou Nagura

And now tonight I bought the stones above.

I'm not familiar with those but I'm sure some forum members are. In terms of grit it seems you have all you need. I'd suggest you work with those until you really develop your honing, get to know those and then you can begin to make informed decisions, based on what others post regarding their stones, as to what you want to add or change.

So I chatted with AJ, and he is cutting me a 3 X 12" in each of the stones I listed above! Hehehe... (Kid at Christmas syndrome)

I am also looking at the Zulu grey stone. Yes I have read the thread, and it came recommended from another member. I also have a friend hunting down a J-nat in Japan for me.

Is there still a lot of love for the Zulu? I'm going to re-read the entire thread, earlier today, as at 2 am, fighting heartburn may not have been the most productive way to soak up information! Lol!

I know, the advice is to learn what I have. Most of what I have is more suitable for knifes, not razors. I want to get a couple more, then work on them and my as of yet missing technique!

I have alot of arks out of them all my surgical black is the finest the surface of an ark needs to be prepped and used with oil to get the best out of the stone

You'll be happy with AJ's stones. I've had them for almost a year and still use them in every progression other than when i use my coticule (from Jimmy).