Thread: What grits should I be concerned with?

I'm trying to figure out what I should be doing. I currently have a 6k hone that's doing a decent enough job. I can get to a shave quality edge after honing and stropping but am pretty sure a finer stone would help a bit. as far as grit goes, where should I stop? I don't have a whole lot of money to put into this so a shapton set with a 30k is totally out of the question

I would say something in 10 or 12 k range and you should be good. Naniwa sells stones in both grits Going the other way a 1 k and you would be good.

I set bevel on 300 & 600 diamond hone. Then 6k water stone to 12k oil stone and finish on 5/8" thick glass. Strop on canvas with paste final strop on leather.

Originally Posted by blacksheep40

I'm trying to figure out what I should be doing. I currently have a 6k hone that's doing a decent enough job. I can get to a shave quality edge after honing and stropping but am pretty sure a finer stone would help a bit. as far as grit goes, where should I stop? I don't have a whole lot of money to put into this so a shapton set with a 30k is totally out of the question

I'm glad you can get a decent shave off a 6k! I sometimes prefer a rougher shave. Makes me feel alive! The burn!!

As castel33 said a good 10-12 would do you proper along with a 1,2 or 3k maybe 3, your 6 and a 12.

It's really up to you though. 50 people could tell you 50 different stones to get.. Most is based on what they have and what works for them.

Is all you want a finer finisher??

I also put some flitz on my 6k and go really light for a while. Then I strop until I hate shaving with a straight razor. So after all that it's not horrible. It would be nice if there was someone in Wisconsin near me I could could have hone my razor to what it should be.. see what I'm missing. Then maybe the shapton 30k would seem worth it..

Wisconsin is well covered. When will you be back there? If you let us know where you will be in Wisconsin odds are good that someone can step to help you--either just with honing or preferably, with some one on one help.

I'm near sheboygan. And seeing as I'm out of the army, I'm here for good.

Sounds like you're willing to put the effort in so a 12k naniwa would be my recommendation. Will take a few extra strokes coming from 6k but not too much and will give you a good edge plus won't break the bank. Add a decent 1k later and you will be set.

You will be able to go straight from the 12k to leather strop and using regularly as a touch up stone should see you shaving a long time before needing anything other than a touch up.

Originally Posted by blacksheep40

I'm near sheboygan. And seeing as I'm out of the army, I'm here for good.

OK, the Afghanistan location threw me. You are 4.5 hours from my place and 5 hours from Randy's. We have had a couple of meet-ups in Tomah in the past year and that is half way in between you and us. Also, Rolodave lives pretty close to you in Racine, which is only 1.5 hours away.

So what does your 6K edge look like?

Really an edge does not get straight until after a 8k, for years 8K’s were the standard and with some Chrome Oxide, will give you a nice edge, but a 12k Super Stone is a no brainer, bullet proof edge.

If your edge is straight, some Chrome Oxide and or some CBN or Cerium Oxide might do her just fine. Or a good barber hone.