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I noticed that my edge has been getting a little dull. So, I decided to purchase some slipstones from Woodcraft. I got a 4000 grit and 8000 grit slipstones for $33 plus shipping. I also got a 1000 grit for my pocket knives. I thought it was a good deal. They are having a clearance sale: Slipstones - Woodcraft.com They are also available in Canada from Lee Valley: Traditional Water Slip Stones - Lee Valley Tools Of course I waited till my order was shipped, before posting here.
I'm not sure about slipstones, but I sure hope they have a large enough flat area to be useful. I believe they are designed to fit into tight spaces (i.e. gaps in machinery), and I'm not sure if they'll be suitable for razors. Please do post results, I'm interested to see how it works out.
Also, if you had a shave ready edge that is just starting to dull, stay off the 4k stone; even 8k might be too coarse. It sounds like you need a finishing stone, though the others will come in handy if/when you start honing up dull razors.
I also wanted to go a less expensive route, so I got the pocket sized Spiderco Medium and Fine stones, and I finish up on a Swaty. I, too, like small stones.
I believe wildtim has been successfully using slipstones for years. They certainly would work and are even cheaper alternative to the norton 4k/8k.
It was shaving fine until the beginning of last week. I kept having to shave over and over, and very little was coming off. I know my lather and angles were not too bad. I also was getting alot of cuts. I stropped approx 500 times on newspaper, and 100 times on my strop. The edge recovered and I am now getting comfortable shaves. However, the Wapi edge is not as passing the HHT even though it was when I first got it. I was thinking about doing 5X on the 4000 and 10X or more on the 8000. I will try skipping the 4000 and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestions.
I have been using slipstones and they worked just fine for my first few edges until I could finally afford a Norton.. Here are a few tips..
1) You can lap them against each other
2) They cut SLOWLY so you better do most of the work on the 1k sandpaper (sandpaper cuts FAST) before you get to the slipstones
3) Placed one on top of the other they form a flat honing surface
Thanks for the tips. I will try flattening them against each other. I did 40 laps on the 8000x this morning. The shave was comfortable, but not quite as sharp as it should be. The razor is getting more sharp. It is not quite there. It cuts hairs easily on the arm, but fails HHT. Should I do some laps on the 4000x with the 8000x? Should I just do some more on the 8000x? Should I just leave things alone for now?
They are ultra-slow cutters so you'll have to use the 4k. In general, 4k is the bread and butter bevel-forming tool. 8k is for polishing the edge. Do an actual pyramid and finish off with 3x 1-7. Repeat if necessary.
Slipstones can be used to hone razors but I'm not sure why you would use a stone designed for curved surfaces unless you're working on a frown problem. You can use them of course but it's a whole lot easier to use a flat stone.
I tried the conservative pyramid and I seemed to get nowhere. It seemed to shave good in the beginning, but quickly died. It is not overhoned because it always fails the HHT. I will try an aggressive pyramid tomorrow, or later today and see what happens.
Me and my wife live in a tiny apt in nyc. We have expensive tile floors. If I ever dropped the Norton on the tiles SWMBO would throw a real fit. I like the slipstones because they are small, lightweight and inexpensive.Quote:
Slipstones can be used to hone razors but I'm not sure why you would use a stone designed for curved surfaces unless you're working on a frown problem. You can use them of course but it's a whole lot easier to use a flat stone.
Firestart has said just about everything there is to say about using these.
The only things I could is that I've had success using the pyramid honeing method. I treat the slipstones just the same as a Norton I just multiply the number of strokes needed by four to account for the small size and slowness of the hones.
I am slowly getting there. Tomorrow, hopefully I will have a shave ready razor again. Wapis sure have a mean edge, and they take forever to hone. My first honing session was a disaster. The first time I was pressing too hard on the slipstones. I did a bunch of laps on the 1000, then worked the pyramid with the 4000 and 8000. When I finished it still was not cutting hair. I decided to do some swirls. I stupidly went back to the 1000 which probably undid the whole edge. I swirled on the 4000 and then the 8000. The edge was cutting slightly. I then proceeded to strop with the edge leading for several strokes before realizing what I had done. :cry:
A whole morning's honing wasted. I did the thumbpad test and it was dull. I got angry and so I dulled the entire edge with a toothpick. I decided to let it rest for a few days, and do more reading. I tried it again this morning. This session was a near disaster. The middle of the blade was popping arm hairs, but the heel and toe are extremely dull. I tried a shave but very little happened. I had to finish everything with my DE. At least the middle is sharp. I sliced my thumb nicely when I was switching hands while stropping. I lapped the three slipstones. The 4000 and 8000 lap easily with the 1000. The 1000 needed sandpaper to flatten. I did 75-100 laps on the 1000. I worked through the aggressive pyramid, and did a few other sets. I proceeded to do 100 laps on newsprint. I ended up dropping my wapi on the concrete floor. :cry:
It looked ok, but I probably ruined alot of the morning's work. I did a few more sets, but i am sure the drop did not help the edge. I found that I need to hone 1/2 the blade and then the other 1/2. I need to use a light touch, and to wear gloves. Do not hone when tired. I should be there tomorrow, or at least the end of the week.
I started on my survival knife stone. I did 20 toe laps and 20 heel laps. I then did the same on the 1000 grit slipstone. Then I did the pyramid doubling the number of strokes; first the heel; then the toe.
After i stropped I had a nice mean edge again.
I had the most comfortable str8 shave; no cuts; no bruises. I still have trouble with my jawline. i still have to work on my technique. I thought I would be able to blame a dull blade for that.