Thread: Hones, stones and paste, Oh My

I just finished making to new hanging strops and two, two sided paddle strops to try out pastes for a finished edge. However, I am adrift in the sea of options. I have searched the forums and read most everything in an attempt to educate myself, but still have a couple of questions.

I am currently finishing my honing on a 8K Norton followed by 50 passes on the back side (slightly tackier but no past) of my shell horse hide strop followed by 50 passes on the front slick side. That makes a visual difference in the edge. I can see the light striations left from the 8K were all but polished away and my razors do pass the HHT. They shave good but I think I can do better.

I was going to try to avoid purchasing another stone for now and go the paste on stop route. I see the chromium oxide used quite often (I believe that is a 0.5 micron?) along with the 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 diamond paste. The 0.25 paste appears to be somewhat controversial so for now I plan on avoiding it. Given that my stone ends at 8K, should I jump directly to a 1.0 micron paste, which appears to be a big jump to me, or go with something larger like a 3 micron, then 1 and finish with the 0.5 or start even higher on the micron scale?

My next question, is there any difference between the 0.5 chromium oxide and 0.5 diamond pastes other than the grit medium? So I could use either interchangeably (assuming the diamond paste would cut faster than the CO) or should I use both and in what order?

Eventually, I will probably end up with a 10 or 12 K finishing stone unless I can achieve the same result using paste and strop.

Any words of wisdom and guidance?

I can offer no words of wisdom as the
whole world of pastes is foreign to
me. I do look forward to the responses
to your post so I can get an idea of
what to actually do. For now I could
suggest what I did and that's to
buy a Chinese 12k for about $40 shipped
from woodcraft.com. I only say that
as you mentioned you may buy one in
the future. Good luck.

John

I would skip right to the .5 pastes as thats what most guys do. Chromium supposedly gives a smoother edge but some guys prefer the diamond edge. try both and see what you like better.

FWIW, I use the 0.5 micron chrome oxide routinely and prefer it to the diamond paste because of the "feel" of the edge.
All of the "finishing stones" are really a luxury and not a necessity. The 8K and 0.5 can give a wickedly sharp edge but the pastes are not a guarantee, you will still need to focus on the basic grits, the 4K & 8K.


Just my two cents,

I still can't get past the dang pic of the Goldwing . . . no advice here either. Your avatar might as well be Jennifer Connelly . . . yea. What were we talking about?

Originally Posted by kerryman71

I can offer no words of wisdom as the
whole world of pastes is foreign to
me. I do look forward to the responses
to your post so I can get an idea of
what to actually do. For now I could
suggest what I did and that's to
buy a Chinese 12k........

John

DITTO John.....I too, look forward to the responses. I have a 4000 Norton, an 8000 Norton (seperate, not the combo.), a yellow coticule.....and my strop (leather & linen).

I've really had to "hold back" with regards to buying some pastes and paddle strops. Don't take me wrong !.....I'd LOVE the new equipment, but before I buy, I'd like to learn a little more.

In fact, I've imposed a "buying blockade" on myself until I get my two razors back from Lynn. When they come in, I'll KNOW what is "perfect",
and then I'll be able to adjust my honing to come in line with that.

The third razor in my collection I've kept here at the house, and am trying to bring it up myself......but I must admit it's very frustrating when you don't know quite what you're doing (yet), or what to look for.

Marko.....

The 4K/8K and strop combo will give me a hanging hair popping edge but I am looking to go that extra step. My blades shave good, but when going against the grain I get some resistance that I am not comfortable with, particularly on my cheeks trimming up from my beard line. It is a bit unnerving; the blade pushes back, getting it gliding takes more force than I am comfortable using. But once I get the stroke moving it cuts clean as a whistle.

I have plenty of strops to experiment with, two, two sided paddle strops with enough suede to cut a third plus two 3 inch two foot+ long strops. I will have to stop by the hardwood store or woodcraft and see if they CO paste.

Originally Posted by Markopolo

In fact, I've imposed a "buying blockade" on myself until I get my two razors back from Lynn. When they come in, I'll KNOW what is "perfect",
and then I'll be able to adjust my honing to come in line with that.

The third razor in my collection I've kept here at the house, and am trying to bring it up myself......but I must admit it's very frustrating when you don't know quite what you're doing (yet), or what to look for.

Marko.....

I picked up a lot tips and watched the hone masters (including Chris and Lynn) work their magic at the Ohio get together. It was invaluable and helped me get over that hump. I can pass the blade suspended above the skin of my arm, through the stood up hair and they will mow them down like a bushhog, but I think I can do better by going that extra step.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I still can't get past the dang pic of the Goldwing . . . no advice here either. Your avatar might as well be Jennifer Connelly . . . yea. What were we talking about?

You should ride it, runs better than it looks. I am waiting for the weather to break, I have to get my Ninja from the dealer. I repainted it with asphalt on Christmas eve. Front washed out while dragging a knee in a turn. Glad I had my leathers on. I am riding along, enjoying the break in weather, zoom, zoom, turn, thump, sky, asphalt, sky, asphalt… Hmm, this cant be good.

www.handamerican.com is your best source for premixed chrome oxided paste. The stuff in the woodworking stores is of unknown grit size and grit type.