Thread: Norton 4K/8K or 4 sided paddle

What should I choose to keep my razor shave ready. I was all set on getting the paddle, now I'm having 2nd thoughts. I want to make just one purchase. Is this an easy choice?

Also, with a paddle, the choices of past is 3.0, 1.0, .5, and .25. What are these in stone grits? For example is a 3.0 (paste) equivalent to 4K (stone)?

there is a thread that has grit conversions somewhere. I would also look at this
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/docs/Grit%20Chart.htm

BUT, grit doesn't mean as much as you would think. A fast cutting media at a given grit will leave a harsher edge than a slower cutting media. So that changes the "relative grit" as I like to call it.

Example: I have a carborundum knife hone with 1000 grit on one side that leaves an edge like an equivalent of 3-4K in a waterhone. Go figure.

Seems like everybody who knows about honing and pasted strops advises to start with a pasted paddle. It's supposed to be much easier.

Or you could be stubborn like me and just dive right in with the hones and struggle for a few months with sub-par shaves.

Even though I can hone OK by now (not a honemeister though), I will still jump to a pasted strop if I have a troublesome razor.

To recap: pasted=easier, better initially.
hone=sucks at first, much more work, ends up with same or better results in the long run.

Hope this helps.

Hmmmm
I have a different take on this. I see the paddle and hone as two different purposes.
Hone for sharpening and placing bevel.
Paddle for polishing. Touching up between honings. I think the paddle would preclude the use of a hone for quite some time. So if you get a fine honed piece all you will need for QUITE some time is the paddle. Send it out when/if you need a hone.

I'm probably wrong BUT I went with hone equipment first then supplement with paddle as I got ok at honing. I would repeat this progression.
But I like honing and seeing the differences in hone/paddle

I don't want to start another perfect hone end all of all hones thread. I would however reccomend having seen both of Josh123's threads recomend as big a coticule and can be comfortabily afforded. The shave off this stone is good and with a slury it will remove small nicks and keep a beval true.

Don

Something like this?? http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...44/5218559.htm

I have a bout and wish I would have saved for a rectangle. Personaly I would go with the 6X2 for the same money from here http://www.theperfectedge.com/belgian.shtml Howard is a member and has given me good service and a quality stone. Not that classic shaving is not a good vender I have met Will the owner personaly and would not for one minute take anything away from him I just like the stones from the perfect edge, that is his main business.
I plan to buy a 3X8 coticule soon to replace the bout.

Don

Do you needa nortaon 4/8 if you get a belgian blue and belgian yellow?

Originally Posted by loueedacat

Do you needa nortaon 4/8 if you get a belgian blue and belgian yellow?

Depends on the razor you plan to hone. If you need to set the bevel, you will probably need the 4000 side (I use a DMT E). It can probably be done, but will take time on the belgian blue.