Thread: next step after 4k/8k

I wanted to hone some razors but I'm thinking I don't have everything I need. I've got the norton 4k/8k and I know I should have a finishing stone after the norton combination but I don't yet. I do have an unpasted 2 sided paddle strop though and was wondering what would be the best combination to give this thing the best edge? From what I understand a 3 micron is approximately the same as the 8k side of the norton. Would a 1 micron and .5 be all I need or should I go down to .25? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1.0 and .5 would be fine. You could go with .5 and .25 as well since you already have the norton stone.

My typical honing progression is to move from the 8k side to 10-20 strokes on the the 1 micron...then 10-20 strokes on the 0.5 micron. This works well for me. You're correct in that the 3 micron is roughly the equivalent of the 8k side of the norton. I would recommend using some form of magnification at least for the first few times you hone. Check the blade after every 10 strokes so you can see progressional improvements to the bevel as you work your way through the process.

JR

For most guys, the Norton 4/8K should be all that's necessary. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake.

It does take a little practice to be able to get the most out of the Norton, though, and a pasted strop will help get you to the next level more quickly.

Just wanted to clarify that you don't "need" anything more--just practice.

Aside from the diamond pastes you've mentioned, another popular abrasive is chromium oxide. Most guys get it from www.handamerican.com, but that site is down now. CR2O3 is a slow-cutting .5 micron paste that leaves a nice, smooth edge.

Josh

I agree with josh that practice makes perfect on the norton..BUT if one wants a really great edge a finishing stone such as an escher, belgium cot or 30000 shapton needs to be used...an alternative would be a pasted leathe with .5 then .25...hand american sells a system of leathers and felts that go on a corian base that you coat either with cro oxide or diamond spray to finish the process...I use the .25 after the escher to get the edge I need...

so would a 1 micron be comparable to a 10,000 or 12,000 grit stone or would that be closer to a .5?

I think 1 micron is closer to 15K and .5 is closer to 30K or 50K.

Grit sizes are hard to compare because they're calculated differently in different countries. And grit size is only part of the equation; some abrasives cut more slowly than another abrasive of the same grit.

The coticule is a good example. It's rated around 8K, but the honemeisters feel it functions more like 10K or 12K. It cuts slower and polishes finer than the Norton 8K.

Sorry to muddy the waters.

Josh

Well to start out...

I want to get this thing so sharp that if I drop it in the bathroom it will fall through the floor and land in the basement! could I go from the norton 8k to a .5 and than to a .25 micron?

But it only has to go through whiskers.

If you only got one paste, I'd say the .5 would be the way to go. The 1 micron would be good, too.

I've never gone to .25 microns, but some guys report that the resulting edge is too harsh to shave comfortably. I think the steel in some razors can't hold this sharp of an edge, anyway.

I've tried 1 micron and .5 micron diamond pastes and chromium oxide. The chromium oxide is my favorite, but the .5 micron paste gives a very good shave as well. The chromium leaves an edge that feels smooth--almost soft on your skin. Hard to describe but definitely cool.

Josh

yeah, it sounds like the diamond is too fast-cutting right?
I want it pretty sharp because I've kind of been getting used to the feather and that thing will cut through any hair and I feel no drag. When I went to my dovo I didn't know that the machined blades were sharper than the real straights so I was a little disappointed by all the drag I felt.
Like I said before I've got an unpasted superwide 2 sided paddle strop and I'm just trying to figure the best way to do this. Do you think it would be alright going from the 8k to the .5? This way I could go .5 and move to the super-fine .25.