Thread: Full set of stones?

If you were getting good edges off a 12k and now even better edges from the 20K, what are you trying to achieve with paste?

While I do not have a 20K, I do have a number of finishing naturals that produce very nice comfortable edges, Arks, Thuringians, Eschers, Slates, Coticules, Vosegine and films. Some I paste with different sprays depending on what the edge needs, keenness, comfort or maintenance.

After some stones, I shave straight off of the stone, some just get some linen and leather laps for a bit of smoothness.

As with most things in this hobby, there is no recipe or rote formula, for getting a particular edge. You do what the edge needs, to get the best shave for your face.

Some pastes, Chrome, Ferrous, Cerium will give you smoothness for comfort. Some, Diamond, Yellowstone, Blue Velvet compound and lower grit CBN will give you some keenness and harshness. Some High grit CBN will give you both.

What paste can do is, give you that little extra option to tailor the edge for your face. Mostly to do what linen and leather stropping can do with many fewer laps.

So, it depends on what you think the edge needs.


When you say the 20k takes the edge to a whole new level, are you talking about keenness or comfort?

Your answer is a preference thing. Do you like a more "crisp" edge? if you do, stick with just the stones and no pastes, this is my preference. If you like a bit more "smoothness", then try some crox. I don't use diamonds any more as I let the stones do the "cutting" on the steel. Crox does more of a smoothing out IMO. My crox is applied via leather paddle on occasion as some of the good hard steeled razors can use a bit of toning down.

Actually one could call a coticule a "complete set" depending on the user's skill level. From bevel setting (possible but most tedious) to finish a coti can offer its owner a very smooth and comfortable edge....they do take time to learn though