Thread: Will a 6K do?

I have only one hone, a 12K Chinese. I need another one to set the bevel. I can't afford a 4/8K Norton and was wondering if I just got a King 6K would that be good enough? Could I jump from 6K direct to the Chinese? All thoughts appreciated.
GK

I would think you would want something in the 1 k range for bevel setting but more experienced voices will be along soon.

I think it should work. Maybe it's not ideal, but ultimately, there is little difference between
8K->12K
6K->12K

If a razor needs more honing, the 6K will be somewhat slower than 4K, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work. You just need to spend some time figuring out the best way to use them (number of laps, and when to go from one to the other)

Push comes to shove you can work on chips or nicks with 1K or 2K sandpaper to speed things up a little bit before going to the 6K.

Yep, use some high grit sandpaper if the 6k won't set a bevel fast enough, the jump to 12k might require more time to get the edge up to max potential, but it should be workable.

If you're comparing micron size, the Norton 8k is actually a coarser hone than the shapton 6K. I've yet to see any micron charts for the Kings, but I would be very interested. The 8k Norton is 3 micron and the shapton 6k is about 2.7 micron or so.

Typically, the largest jump you would want to make in a honing progression would be to double grit size, and by this rule going from a 6k to a 12k is definitely an acceptable step. I wouldn't hesitate to do it.

YMMV.

when i was learning, i had the king 6k. i shaved off of it, but it was not exceptional. but it shaved and that was before i got paste or the chinese 12k myself.

good luck.

vgod

Originally Posted by Ben325e

If you're comparing micron size, the Norton 8k is actually a coarser hone than the shapton 6K. I've yet to see any micron charts for the Kings, but I would be very interested. The 8k Norton is 3 micron and the shapton 6k is about 2.7 micron or so.

Typically, the largest jump you would want to make in a honing progression would be to double grit size, and by this rule going from a 6k to a 12k is definitely an acceptable step. I wouldn't hesitate to do it.

YMMV.

Comparing absolute grit size is difficult regarding the results you get. The grit shap is important too.
Coticule grit is typically 8000 grit in size, but due to its shape, it cuts like you'd expect a norton 12K equivalent to cut, if it would exist.

Perhaps the shapton 6K has less aggressive grit than the norton?
Just specualting, since I don't have shaptons.

If all the assumptions are correct,with info i've seen online- that Norton 8000 and King 8000 have the same size abrasive. 3mµ. If the norton 4k is 6mµ- why not the king as well? which would compute to approx 4.5mµ for 6000king. maybe.

But what does that really mean brand to brand as I bet each manufacturer has their secrets and QC tolerances. So maybe stated mµ is only the absolute largest particle with varying percentages of smaller particles manufacturer to manufacturer.

I never followed the common recommendations when using king stones-always soaking/ full slurry. I figured the slurry was continuously breaking down, becoming finer. So I didn't use any when I wanted the most aggressive cutting. When i was trying to get as fine as possible I'd try to keep that slurry on the stone as long as possible; adding only drops of water to time the last bunch of strokes in "dry" paste.