Thread: 12,000K stone?

I am slowly learning to hone and having fun doing it!
I currently have a 4k/8k Norton and a pasted paddle with 3.0 mic down to 0.5 mic along with a leather side.

I read on here about higher grid stones. Does anybody use the 12,000K
Japanese Stones. They sell for around $75.

i used a shapton 12k for awhile, but now i use a coticule

Another is the Chinese 12K waterstone sold by Woodcraft for about $30 and change for an about 8"x3" stone. Choices abound. Do it as I do: buy it and try it. I've found that if I try every variable, I will perfect no skills, but will have been provided with an endless number of excuses.

Bruce

What Bruce said. I have no experience with the 12k grit Japanese waterstones, but the Chinese stone is very nice for my razors and my dad's chisels.

When learning to hone I would stay away from the Chinese 12k. Its a very slow cutting stone that gives mixed results, It might give one razor an amazing edge but not so amazing on the next. I would master the Nortons and stick with the paste's for now.

If you try the chinese 12K from Woodcraft be sure to refresh the surface before each honing session and perform no less than 50 laps. I always use 100 laps.

Just my two cents,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

If you try the chinese 12K from Woodcraft be sure to refresh the surface before each honing session and perform no less than 50 laps. I always use 100 laps.

Just my two cents,

Randy,
Do you use your Norton flattening stone to refresh it? Then 100 laps with the razor? It must be one slow cuttin' sucka! Recommended?

Originally Posted by randydance062449

If you try the chinese 12K from Woodcraft be sure to refresh the surface before each honing session

Why is that (and what do you mean "refresh")?

I'm still very much in the experimentation phase with honing, but I've been able to finish two razors on the Chinese 12K well enough that I couldn't improve them with .5 micron chromium dioxide paste, so I'm pretty fond of that hone right now.

I have a 12K japanese Kitayama and a vintage japanes natural hone which is probably 12K+ but I still prefer the Coticule for most razors.

I've used vintage Japanese stones but I might have to try a coticule. I know coticules are versatile but I didn't know they were this versatile.