Thread: Waterstones

You guys almost (that's almost) have me talked into getting a set of Norton Waterstones (1000/4000 and 8000) to see if they really are a step up from my finest arkansas (translucent, and I like it dammit;=))

One question (or maybe more). I am looking at getting a Norton flattening stone, but also am looking at a DMT 325 or 600 for that use (and for roughing in things like axes). Anyone have any pros/cons for either of the DMT for this purpose?

Get the DMT 325 and forget the Norton flattening stone if you can afford it. The Norton by all accounts leaves a rather coarse finish on the water stones, coarser than some gents prefer, when it comes to using the hones for razors. The DMT will serve you very well, leaves a nice surface on your hones, and can be used for sharpening other things around the house but is too coarse for straights unless you're trying to really hog metal off a damaged blade. The DMT will remain flat for life, the Norton flattening stone will wear and how flat it stays will be up to the user as technique in use will have an impact.

Regards

Christian

Thanks. would you recommend the 325 over the 600? I don't mind spending more time with a finer stone. I'm used to my arkansas stones, and they are slow. The way I prefer it. Safty over speed

For lapping hones, the 325 is king. The 600 will work but remember, when you are lapping hones, you are releasing grit from the lapped hone. The grit becomes an abrasive slurry so it's important that the diamond hone have grit significantly larger than the grit from the lapped hone, otherwise you'll soon be losing the diamond grit due to the chromium plating that holds the diamonds in place being worn away by the slurry.

Come to think of it, I think DMT recommends the 220 grit plate for lapping but most gents have been very happy with the 325 and it IS useful for knives and other such things as well.

Regards

Christian

I forgot to mention one thing.... if you are happy with the shaving comfort you are getting from your arkansas hone, why would you want to buy a complete set of new hones?!?! I mean, I'm getting the greatest shaves of my life using my Belgian Blue and Yellow Coticule hones so I, myself am perplexed by the idea that I'm expecting a complete set of Shapton hones to show up in the mail box in the next week or so..... I know I don't NEED them, but they just seemed to order themselves.......

Oh well, like the Borg say, resistance is futile.... Enjoy your hone acquisition disorder until you run out of money.... then start selling stuff to fund more hones.....

Regards

Kaptain "I'm so lost, I can't even find Oblivia anymore!" Zero

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

I forgot to mention one thing.... if you are happy with the shaving comfort you are getting from your arkansas hone, why would you want to buy a complete set of new hones?!?! I mean, I'm getting the greatest shaves of my life using my Belgian Blue and Yellow Coticule hones so I, myself am perplexed by the idea that I'm expecting a complete set of Shapton hones to show up in the mail box in the next week or so..... I know I don't NEED them, but they just seemed to order themselves.......

Oh well, like the Borg say, resistance is futile.... Enjoy your hone acquisition disorder until you run out of money.... then start selling stuff to fund more hones.....

Regards

Kaptain "I'm so lost, I can't even find Oblivia anymore!" Zero

Did I ever mention the self-help support group I'm setting up? Somewhere Over The Rainbow?

James.

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

I'm expecting a complete set of Shapton hones to show up in the mail box in the next week or so..... I know I don't NEED them, but they just seemed to order themselves.......

Regards

Kaptain "I'm so lost, I can't even find Oblivia anymore!" Zero

I knew you couldn't keep the cat in the bag forever!!! I kept my mouth shut about your purchase as promised!

Oh, you'll love them. I wouldn't trade my Belgians (maybe I'll thin the herd sometime..........maybe) but you'll have fun with the Shaptons. I just came up from my honing area of the basement after working on a DD Dwarf with a slight spine flaw making for some challenging honing. Shapton 2000 to reset the bevel, 4000, 6000 and 8000. I dare say I may try a shave off the 8000 tomorrow; over half the arm hairs I passed over with the 8000 edge I could not feel even being cut. Very nice.

Chris L

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

I forgot to mention one thing.... if you are happy with the shaving comfort you are getting from your arkansas hone, why would you want to buy a complete set of new hones?!?! I mean, I'm getting the greatest shaves of my life using my Belgian Blue and Yellow Coticule hones so I, myself am perplexed by the idea that I'm expecting a complete set of Shapton hones to show up in the mail box in the next week or so..... I know I don't NEED them, but they just seemed to order themselves

Oh well, like the Borg say, resistance is futile.... Enjoy your hone acquisition disorder until you run out of money.... then start selling stuff to fund more hones

Kaptain "I'm so lost, I can't even find Oblivia anymore!" Zero

First off. I do NOT have HAD ;=)

I've been buying sharpeners of various types for 35+ years. Ceramic sticks, arkansas stones, diamond stones, kits, all of it. Yes I am happy with my Arkansas stones and the edges I get with them. But I've been reading about the waterstones for a while now and have to see for myself if they actually produce a finer edge, plus it never hurts to have a different hone or two.

O.K. so it looks like I can trash the Norton flattening stone and go with the 325 DMT.

Originally Posted by captp

First off. I do NOT have HAD ;=)

What do you call it ?

Originally Posted by Slant-Fan

What do you call it ?

I really don't think that 20 or so sharpeners over 30+ years constitutes HAD

Just cause I have more knives than the Buck and Case factories combined, more Zippos than all of Bradford, more cigars than the Fuente factory, more lighters than the entire Colibri family, it doesn't make me compulsive. it doesn't make me compulsive. it doesn't make me compulsive. it doesn't make me compulsive. it doesn't make me compulsive. it doesn't make me compulsive.

Does it?