Thread: Getting used to an Apache Strata

Hello Honemeisters.

I recently received a sweet little Apache Strata with the intent of furthering my PROVEN 8K edges. It has been lapped up to 1200 grit and is nice and flat with a very nice sheen. The first razor I took to this stone was a Robeson Shuredge that was already shaveable with an 8K finish. Approximately 40-50 laps and then linen-leather strop. the shave was smoother than the 8K but not by much. The bevel was slightly hazy and complete under magnification. The second attempt was a Henckels Friodur 72-1/2 with a proven 8K edge. My results were pretty much the same as the first.

I am sure that by just using this hone I will eventually figure it out. it has useable feedback and cuts relatively fast, but I was expecting more of a polishing effect. My thoughts post honing are that I might have been using more pressure than necessary. have any of you had the same initial experiences?

I don't have any of that type, but there's not much new under the sun. If that stone doesn't shed particles, it should settle into more polishing and less cutting. See the ark threads about conditioning stones, though with less pressure on a sedimentary stone if that is of that type.

Natural stones generally won't make much improvement in an already good shaving edge until they have tired a little bit on the surface.

I will share my thoughts but others on here may have some better thoughts

First of all I am not convinced you can go from an 8k to the Strata ( I assume that's what you mean unless it is the Apache red) I go from the Naniwa 12k to the Apache Strata and get excellent results. I am 100% sold on the Apache to finish with. The Red is a bit more course and I do not own one so wont comment

Natural stone will vary of course. And some of my blades prefer other finishing stones and methods . But that being said,I also use my Apache's both the beige and a grey , only after the 12 k SS. Try using more laps and finishing by under running tap water. Not sure that this procedure produces a keener edge but more comfortable and similar to a good coti edge. YMMV

Originally Posted by cubancigar2000

I will share my thoughts but others on here may have some better thoughts

First of all I am not convinced you can go from an 8k to the Strata ( I assume that's what you mean unless it is the Apache red) I go from the Naniwa 12k to the Apache Strata and get excellent results. I am 100% sold on the Apache to finish with. The Red is a bit more course and I do not own one so wont comment

Ahh! So you think maybe I just underhoned? that would make sense. The bevel looked complete but I didn't look at it under a microscope.

This stone has a very different feel than my nortons. Sounds like I need to do more laps since the consensus is that there is a big jump from the 8K to the Strata.

Your problem could be one of too fine or not fine enough. If you look across the stone and it reflects light and there is never any blackening of the water or slurry, then it may be the former. It's common for natural stones that are hard to need a break in period, though.

At the risk of sounding overly simplistic with it, I'd say break it in by repetition instead of a specific method. The more you use the stone, the more you'll get from using it. Even if you're noodling around with it with razors, and not playing science class with microscopes, you'll find that you will inadvertently learn to use the stone better.

This is my Apache Strata. When I use it..... it sounds like it is singing a little bit. I use light pressure. Usually I have used it after being on a coticule. Only synthetic hone I have is my Nani 1k. I used my strata with and without slurry. And it seems like almost all natural hone, each one is different. Play around with it more and experiment.....

Last night I started over with the first razor (Robeson Shuredge). Norton 4K-8K and then shave test. Typical good 8K edge. I then cleaned the Apache strata and patiently gave it 100 laps reducing pressure as I reached the end. Linen then 75 laps on the strop. Popped arm hairs like a champ. I can visually see an improvement in the polishing effect. Nailed it! The resulting shave was one of the best I have experienced. certainly the best with this razor.

I agree that there is a bit of a jump from 8K synthetic to Apache Strata. But I believe I can get predictably great results from this stone after the last razor's results. Smooth and crisp would be the way I describe the edge.

Thanks for the help guys.