Thread: Hone Setup

Awesome. You don't have alot of space to spread out in. I love to tinker with minimalist size gear.

One thing about the soaker varieties; all the xtra stuff. Kings etc need more lapping. so more water, soak tubs, mess. Could be the glass bottom shaptons make for the neatest, most efficient (full size)package.

If I had the choice I'd probably go 4k rather than 5. I have 5k, so whichever. A coticule or any number of Japanese stones would make it even more strop ready.

the main thing is get some stuff and see what you can do

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Keeping in mind, it is synthetic Unless you HAD folk collect synthetics also.

If you can rub a razor on it we consider it.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Maybe its time for an intervention! And after you get dried out maybe you can save the rest of us!

Man, you wouldn't believe it. It is like a fellow told me years ago,"If you can't be satisfied with what you have, you'll never be satisfied with what you get." Sad but true .... for me anyhow.

I use a 1000 grit to remove old oxidized edges and minor nicks.
a 4000 grit to set the bevel
a 8000 grit to get a shaving sharp edge
a chrome ox pasted paddle strop to get super sharp and very, very smooth and comfortable edge.

The Shapton 16K, Coticule, Escher, Chinese 12K and Japanese finishing stones are all in the same class... a finishing hone. They are a luxury, not a necessity.

Just my $.02,

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Man, you wouldn't believe it. It is like a fellow told me years ago,"If you can't be satisfied with what you have, you'll never be satisfied with what you get." Sad but true .... for me anyhow.

heh heh. I was going to add "sometimes it is better to do without"

I really want to thank you guys for the advice. I have pretty much settled on as simple a setup as possible. I think I will either buy a Norton 4000/8000 waterstone, or a BBW/Yellow coticule setup. I can make my own pasted strop, so that's decided.

I do have ONE question about Shaptons--what is the essential honing difference between the glass stones and the regular ceramic hones? The ceramic hones are much cheaper...are they significantly less effective?

Thanks again!
Jim

I think I'd choose King over Suehiro. Each is readily available in the US from japanese tool dealers. IIrc it was Suehiro that performed at lower than started grit in Verhoevan's tests. But basically they are the same things

Oh no. I think they would be nearly the same. Here sue's are a few dollars less I believe. Of course, Takenoko, Naniwa, Bester, Shapton all perform better- by which i mean they cut a little faster and require less lapping. I have an 8000 and 6000 king and i like them when i feel i need a softer surface than say shapton 8000. But the 800 and 1000, well they just kinda fill a slot in my stone box