Thread: After the 8K...

I just started down the road of straight shaving. I have done zero, nada, no honing. I own Norton 1000, 4000 and 8000 grit stones (along with the lapper) and a TM hanging strop. It seems that I will probably need one more level of polish after the 8K before stropping. Having just watched Lynn's DVD (thanks Lynn!), I am curious what the general thoughts are on which direction to go after coming off the 8K.

It seems I could either go to another stone like a Belgian yellow coticle or I could go to something like a pasted paddle strop and strop on 1 um and then 0.5 um before final, regular stropping on leather. I might possibly also be able to go to a barber hone or something from Keith at Hand American. It seems also there are stone that might supplement or replace a coticle like the new Shaptons or similar. Hopefully not too big of a can of worms, but hoping to get some advice.

Thanks -
Dennis

Well, seeing as how you are a greenhorn at this my suggestion is to not worry about what comes after the 8K and just get into the mindset that the 8K is the final hone and best hone in the world. Once you've managed to extract every bit of keeness out of it and thoroughly mastered it then start to think about the coticule or a 12K hone.

Most will tell you that the 8K is really all you ever need anyway. Of course most of us go further but you should be able to get an excellent shave out of any razor honed on the 8K. It also goes without saying that you should master the 4K in similar fashion before worrying about the 1K.

I've got a Japanese 12k stone that I use for a very few laps, then chromium oxide paste and finally a very conservative 0.25µ Diamond paste for a super keen edge.

X

I agree with theBigSpendur, As a newbie its important to focus on what tools you have and mastering those before worrying about things you dont need yet.

I also heartily concur with BigSpendur. Additionally, until you've perfected the 8k step you'll find a finer hone to be rather ineffective.

Excellent - fine by me. I just got the impression from Lynn's DVD that a coticle or paste was needed after the 8K. I'll be happy to just go with that and see where it gets me. Thanks for the info.

Dennis

Do a search on ebay for "Razor Hone", you will see some cheap Thuringens etc that will help.

PuFF

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well, seeing as how you are a greenhorn at this my suggestion is to not worry about what comes after the 8K and just get into the mindset that the 8K is the final hone and best hone in the world. Once you've managed to extract every bit of keeness out of it and thoroughly mastered it then start to think about the coticule or a 12K hone.

Most will tell you that the 8K is really all you ever need anyway. Of course most of us go further but you should be able to get an excellent shave out of any razor honed on the 8K. It also goes without saying that you should master the 4K in similar fashion before worrying about the 1K.

Very well said.

Lynn

Originally Posted by adjustme69

Very well said.

Lynn

But that would mean less toys

Originally Posted by Taz

Originally Posted by adjustme69

Very well said.
Lynn

But that would mean less toys

Now THAT, sir, was very well said. The more toys the merrier.