Thread: Matching steel types with natural hones

Hi SRP! So I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on whether certain steel types are better matched with certain hones.

For example I've heard that Sheffield steel takes a great coticule edge. Are there any other steel-hone matches like that or any rules of thumb regarding the type of hone to be used with a specific steel.

Thanks!

Good news, there are no rules!

I don't have a ton of honing experience but all razors work on all kinds of hones, some might need more work than others (depending on the steel), but aside from that all razors and hones work similar and the results are all alike. It all works as long as the hones you use are apt for razor honing and you have a quality razor.

I don't believe in this type of razor prefers this kind of stone. I do believe in this kind of person prefers this kind of thing though.

I have heard soft steel hard stone, soft stone hard steel but I don't know

Some definitely are easier on certain stones, but it's pretty much possible to finish a razor on any finishing stone. For some steel it's harder to hone the edge too thin and weak on certain types of stones and on others it's very easy to do. If you are careful this isn't difficult to work around though.

Agree with Eric, but at least as far as jnats go, it's dangerous to believe that you can understand them before you try them. You just have to try them.

Cheers, Steve

I don't really believe matching steel and stone, either. Some steels have trouble holding a very keen (i.e. thin) edge, but if a razor takes a comfortably shaving edge on hone x, I don't see why it wouldn't on hone y.

Also, until I see a decent amount of Sheffield razors analized, I will regard Sheffield steel like Japanese natural hones: wildly varying and impossible to predict its qualities. As far as I know, there were many, many drop forges in and around Sheffield during the long time that razors were made there.

I don't buy for a second that their steels were all basically the same.

Best regards,

Pieter

Woofta, this really is quite a question. there have been razors i have honed that don't work well with certain stones (chip frequently, never get as keen as I'd like, etc) and in those cases I usually move to a different finisher in general but I don't have any rules as to what that next finisher should be. just using a different one usually works pretty well.
Great question though, I'll be following to see if there are rules that should be followed!

Woofta, this really is quite a question. there have been razors i have honed that don't work well with certain stones (chip frequently, never get as keen as I'd like, etc) and in those cases I usually move to a different finisher in general but I don't have any rules as to what that next finisher should be. just using a different one usually works pretty well.
Great question though, I'll be following to see if there are rules that should be followed!

Originally Posted by Matt1222

Hi SRP! So I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on whether certain steel types are better matched with certain hones.

For example I've heard that Sheffield steel takes a great coticule edge. Are there any other steel-hone matches like that or any rules of thumb regarding the type of hone to be used with a specific steel.

Thanks!

Yes there are certain combos that work better,

Yes you can get a CCS with most any combo in the right hands

The problem with trying to explain it comes from the multitude of variables that are part of this equation... Honestly part of the fun of learning to really hone is the quest for the wow edges.. Learn to read the "Feel of the Steel" at the bevel set and it will lead you to more wow edges

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Learn to read the "Feel of the Steel" at the bevel set and it will lead you to more wow edges

Aw come on, Glen. Put on your "Poet Lauriate of Honing" hat and tell us all about it, please!