What stones?

[jwbryan]

Hey guys!

I've got a Norton 4000/8000 combo stone that I've been using for about a year. This combo gives a good shave but because I've got a tough beard (a gift from my Irish ancestors), I think I need a more polished blade. Thus, I'm ready to start using some finer and/or natural stones.

I've emailed Howard about the Belgium Blue and Yellows he has and I'm waiting on Tony's Hunsruecks. What other stones should I look at?

Thanks!
Jason

[mparker762]

The 15k Shapton, the 12k Chinese, and the yellow Coticule are the most common finishing stones. You can also use a paddle strop with some high-grit abrasive pastes which is both cheaper and gives you a lot of interesting choices. A good choice coming off the 8k norton is a 2-sided paddle with 1 micron diamond on one side and .5 micron chrome oxide on the other, but you can get 0.25 and 0.1 micron diamond abrasives as well.

[Howard Newell]

Jason, I can recommend the 12000 grit Chinese waterstone. It's slow cutting but it helps put a smooth edge on a razor for a decent price.

I think the other stones you've mentioned will do well, in addition to the pasted paddles. After all, there are many ways to get to the same place.

[thebigspendur]

I don't know that a more polished blade is going to be the answer you are looking for. You should be able to get a very acceptable shave off the 8K no matter how tough your beard is. The higher grits may help a little but if you are not satisfied with what you are getting now you might examine your current honing technique or routine.

[mparker762]

You should be able to get a very acceptable shave off the 8K no matter how tough your beard is.

I thought so too, until JoshEarl's thread...

[Wildtim]

While I get a fine shaving edge off my 8000 I do find that it can be a but scratchy? if that is really the right term, plenty sharp, no razor burn but scratchy. A few swipes on my barbers finishing hone and the razor feels smoother to my skin. perhaps with more skill I might be able to get the same results with my stropping as I do with the hone but not yet.

So don't forget the fine barbers hones when building your list of finishing stones.

[jwbryan]

I've got a 4 sided paddle coming from Tony. I wasn't certain about the pastes, so I'm going to leave it up to him to tell me which I need. I'm certain he'll take care of me.

I've been hunting around for the Shapton and Chinese but I haven't found any of our guys that carry any. I'd rather keep business in-house, so let me know if anyone has suggestions on where to look.

Otherwise, I'm gonna wait for my paddle to get here and keep looking!

Thanks!

[jwbryan]

So don't forget the fine barbers hones when building your list of finishing stones.

I hadn't thought about a barber hone. Any suggestions? I've looked at redtrader99.com...

[JoshEarl]

mparker mentioned my situation, so I thought I'd jump in...

If you handed me two razors, one finished on the 8K Norton and one finished on .5 micron diamond paste, I'd be able to tell the difference within two or three strokes. Both shave, but the 8K pulls to an extent that it's almost painful. Certainly uncomfortable.

I have a tough beard, and the extra sharpness or polishing (whichever it is) from the diamond pastes really makes a difference for me. I've tried razors finished on high-grit stones like coticules and Shaptons, and they're better, but I still need the paste finish. I'm also waiting on a coticule from Howard, but I plan to use it as an alternative to the 8K. Going to the coticule from the Norton seems like it would just add a step for me, because I still have to use pastes.

The jury's still out as to whether this is due to bad technique on my part or just my beard... I'll let you know in another six months or a year.

Josh

[jwbryan]

...and that's exactly where I am today. Coming off the 8k Norton is well...an aggravating experience. The sides shave fine...neck is okay. Mustache and chin are very painful. Both pull and tug and never cut. I had originally attributed it to my honing and prep...but since I've gotten the HHT to go, I'm looking toward the polish on the blade.

Thats why I ordered the paddle from Tony. I believe the pastes will help. However, I'm also at the point that I'd like to try a finer and/or natural stone. Thus this thread.