Thread: Newbie - DMT or Shapton

Is there any reason I shouldn't get just DMTs or Shaptons for my first hone? I'm reading many have forgone their Norton's and just use say the DMT Extra Fine and Fine. But is that something you should do from the get go, or only after developing technique on a Norton?

Once again if I could have only two hones I would go with a norton 4/8 and a couticle. If money permited I would get a DMT C to flat the stones. This is a tried and true combo that works. If you decide the norton is not for you put it on the BST they don't hang arount too long and bring close to new $ for a flat one.

Don

Nortons are good, imo. I like mine. I also like the coticule for finishing.
I like the DMT 8C for flattening other stone.

If I can get the extra cash, I might experiment with the shaptons.

The problem with the 'if you were stranded on a desert island and could have just 1 hone...' debate is that in real life you are not constrained to just 1 hone. So most of use who like to sharpen razors end up with many hones, each one for a specific purpose.

And I'd choose the DMT8C in that case, because on a deserted island, that would be the most useful.

But whichever stone you choose, you can sell them in the BSt forum if you don't like it, and you would probably get close to the original price if it is in good condition. You'd only lose the shipping cost.

Is the coticule on classic shaving recommended, or is there another e vendor I should buy from?

thanks.

and out of curiosity, are you saying the norton/coticules's are better for basic honing or just easier to learn for a newbie?

www.theperfectedge.com

Howard sells coticules, nortons and DMT

His prices cannot be beat, he checks ech stone he sells for defects, and he is also a member here.
I have done business with him before, and he is great guy to deal with.

The advantage of norton is that dozens of people here use it, and it is a known quantity. if you need help with norton hone, there are lots of people who can help.
There are not yet as much people with the same experience with shapton hones.

louee,

You have 3 choices that I know of for coticules: The Perfect Edge (Howard Schechter), Vintage Blades (Jim Ayars), and Classic Shaving (Classic Shaving). All have wonderful customer service. Howard does it as stones and hones only, Jim and Classic do it as an adjunct to shaving gear sales. Jim and Howard have the natural combinations where you have the yellow on one side and the blue on the other and that both looks neat and also saves getting two stones.

good honing, good shaving

I haven't tried the DMT EEF extensively, but I have played around with a lot of DMTs and with diamond pastes. In general, diamonds cut quickly but leave a harsher edge than other abrasives.

Based on my experience with these other sharpening tools, I would hesitate to recommend a DMT EEF as a "desert island" hone.

It would probably make a good companion to a finishing hone, like a coticule, escher, Chinese 12K .... And the list goes on.

Josh

Guys, thanks a ton. This is incredibly helpful. Exactly what I was looking for in guidance.