Thread: what hones to use?

i was wondering which type of hones to buy? I currently have a combo paddle strop that I bought from Tony Miller. When the time does come to buy hones which should I invest in. I know that the norton 4k/8k is a popular fit, however I would prefer not to have to worry about flattening my hones. any thoughts gentleman.

almost forgot, currently shaving with 2 wapis that I bought from Mike Ratliff

That's the million-dollar question but all you're gonna get are two-cent replies, because there are a number of different honing paradigms that are all proven to work. The classic here is the Norton 4/8K + some sort of finisher (your Tony Miller strop will do). DMT 1200 + belgian blue and coticule is an almost equally popular setup. More recently people have really taken up the Shaptons and they're getting great reviews.

I like cutting a bevel on the DMT 1200 and then polishing it with natural stones. That's my two cents.

Originally Posted by dylandog

That's the million-dollar question but all you're gonna get are two-cent replies, because there are a number of different honing paradigms that are all proven to work. The classic here is the Norton 4/8K + some sort of finisher (your Tony Miller strop will do). DMT 1200 + belgian blue and coticule is an almost equally popular setup. More recently people have really taken up the Shaptons and they're getting great reviews.

I like cutting a bevel on the DMT 1200 and then polishing it with natural stones. That's my two cents.

do you use the DMT 1200 to lap the coticules, or do you need a different lapping stone for that?

could I use a dmt 8k instead of the norton 4k/8k and then finish with either a 12k chinese stone or a .25 micron paste

Originally Posted by loueedacat

do you use the DMT 1200 to lap the coticules, or do you need a different lapping stone for that?

I use the 320. It's tough to lap with the 1200 because it's too grabby.

I don't for a minute regret buying both DMTs, because they both do double duty. All my kitchen knives hit the 320 first and then the 1200; and the 320 laps all my other hones, with the 1200 cutting all razor bevels. They're workhorse stones and earn their keep. With both of those and a nice 6x2 belgian natural combo you have everything you'll ever need hone-wise, for razors and kitchen knives.

Of course you'll probably buy more because we're all sick that way.

Originally Posted by Matthew Aldas

could I use a dmt 8k instead of the norton 4k/8k and then finish with either a 12k chinese stone or a .25 micron paste

Yes. Do you already have the DMT 8K? Reports on those are mixed; some apparently take a lot of breaking in before they stop roughing up the edge. Once broken in, yes, apparently, you can bring a razor quickly up to 8K shaveready-but-a-bit-rough, and then smooth it with the Chinese or equivalent.

Originally Posted by dylandog

I use the 320. It's tough to lap with the 1200 because it's too grabby.

I don't for a minute regret buying both DMTs, because they both do double duty. All my kitchen knives hit the 320 first and then the 1200; and the 320 laps all my other hones, with the 1200 cutting all razor bevels. They're workhorse stones and earn their keep. With both of those and a nice 6x2 belgian natural combo you have everything you'll ever need hone-wise, for razors and kitchen knives.

Of course you'll probably buy more because we're all sick that way.


Yes. Do you already have the DMT 8K? Reports on those are mixed; some apparently take a lot of breaking in before they stop roughing up the edge. Once broken in, yes, apparently, you can bring a razor quickly up to 8K shaveready-but-a-bit-rough, and then smooth it with the Chinese or equivalent.

would you recommend something different? or how do you break in a DMT?

Originally Posted by Matthew Aldas

i was wondering which type of hones to buy? I currently have a combo paddle strop that I bought from Tony Miller. When the time does come to buy hones which should I invest in. I know that the norton 4k/8k is a popular fit, however I would prefer not to have to worry about flattening my hones. any thoughts gentleman.

almost forgot, currently shaving with 2 wapis that I bought from Mike Ratliff

I have the norton 4/8K, DMTD8EE 8000 grit and yellow coticule from Howard.
Norton is a nightmare flatten "I am very pigeon peas." But it is a good hone.
DMT does not need to flatten but is different.
Coticule remained flat for a long long long time. I hone is a very practical and versatile.
All of them work but prefer coticule.
I use coticule and diamond pastes on wooden balsa with very good results.

Dioni

I am one of the ones that really likes the D8EE (DMT 8k), I start on a D8E (DMT 1200), then go to the D8EE, then to some finishing stone (Chinese 12k is a great stone for the price) and the edges are the most consistent that I've ever gotten.

And yes, the D8EE will do the work of the Norton 4k/8k. you could probably use your paddle strop to do the final polish but a stone would be better (and would require periodic flattening).

If you take a pre-lapped stone and do a few lapping strokes with it on the D8EE the roughness goes away fast and you're left with a consistent, low maintenance, powerful razor hone.

Although, there are a number of barber hones to be had for pretty cheap. And when combined with a pasted strop, they're all you'd really need to keep your razors sharp. I use the DMT because I do a good bit of sharpening (razors, knives, chisels etc.) and don't like to fuss with lapping, soaking etc. if it's unnecessary.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

I am one of the ones that really likes the D8EE (DMT 8k), I start on a D8E (DMT 1200), then go to the D8EE, then to some finishing stone (Chinese 12k is a great stone for the price) and the edges are the most consistent that I've ever gotten.

And yes, the D8EE will do the work of the Norton 4k/8k. you could probably use your paddle strop to do the final polish but a stone would be better (and would require periodic flattening).

If you take a pre-lapped stone and do a few lapping strokes with it on the D8EE the roughness goes away fast and you're left with a consistent, low maintenance, powerful razor hone.

Although, there are a number of barber hones to be had for pretty cheap. And when combined with a pasted strop, they're all you'd really need to keep your razors sharp. I use the DMT because I do a good bit of sharpening (razors, knives, chisels etc.) and don't like to fuss with lapping, soaking etc. if it's unnecessary.

so would I just use the D8EE, if I choose to go that route, and then either use a chinese 12k or my paddle strop. would that combo work well?

where can I purchase a chinese 12k stone?