Thread: Lesser expensive stones

OK. I know that I'll probably get a pasting from the forum for asking such a sacrilegious question but here goes anyway.

With regards to honing straight razors, what are the hazards of using some of the lesser expensive stones produced by, for example, Norton (india, arkansas, etc.) as opposed to the more expensive stones commonly mentioned on the forum? Is there something else out there for someone on a limited budget that can be used to properly hone a str8 besides the expensive hones?

Thanks in advance.

I've found it difficult to find anything between 6k and 30k. I've been looking for a cheaper alternative too (other than abrasive films), but I just can't find anything cheap to occupy the 8-12k slots.

Here's a link to a thread about slipstones, they seems to work for some.

While my question is stated generally, I am most concerned with stones more coarse than the Norton 4k/8k waterstone.

I recently set the bevel on a razor with the Norton 4k waterstone and swore that never again would I set the bevel with a stone that slow.

IF I understand the posts correctly, a razor that has had its bevel properly set should rarely, if ever, need the services of anything but a 4k/8k waterstone and/or coticules to keep it properly maintained and touched up.

So, unless you're intending to enter upon an apprenticeship as a honemeister or restore ebay str8s, why spend big bucks on a 1k that you will rarely, if ever, use again when a lesser expensive stone will get you where you need to go at that stage of honing?

Well, one cheap alternative in the bevel-setting range is 1000-1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper on glass or granite. It's just as effective and very inexpensive.

As far as stones, I don't think there's much out there cheaper than the popular stones (norton, shapton, etc) that work well with razors. At least it's not widely known...

For those who like a minimalistic approach, one decent coticule is all you need to produce premium sharpening results. A 6"x1.5" costs 58$ at theperfectedge.com. It will last a lifetime. During that lifetime it will easily hone all your pocket and small kitchen knives too. I don't think there's anything more cost-effective.

Bart.

The problem seems to be that the common india and arkansas stones just don't put a fine enough edge on, and very little of the honeing needed for razors is on the grits of those stones.

So they are just npt that useful.

YOu could likely manage with just a decent barbers hone off ebay for say $20, I have gotten decent results with useing a barbers hone after an arkansas stone.

What sort of price point are you searching for?

As far as I know I've never had an India. I know they are oilstones but what grit Norton calls medium and fine I do not.

There is no reason they shouldn't work, the steel don't know what's grinding it away

In the near 20 dollar range there are King waterstones. There's a few others as well.

I honed a razor to a very acceptable level with a Smith Tri-Hone
21 dollars
A Chinese 12K
38 dollars
And finished off with Chrome ox and a strop.

There are a plethora of cheap 1k to 4k waterstones from brands like King, Ice Bear, Suehiro.

Sand paper works pretty well also.

I have come to really like the Japanese stones, an Aoto is a excellent bevel setter and is "inexpensive" for the size of stone you usually get.

As for cheap finishing hones, 8k-10k, some barber hones make their way in to those ranges.