Thread: The World's Cheapest 30k Hone

Originally Posted by Chris L

For me it's a final step I often incorporate into the honing process but even more so, I find it to be the easiest and quickest edge refresher.

Chris L

yeah, but at the same place they sell basswood. why not that over balsa?

Originally Posted by kevint

yeah, but at the same place they sell basswood. why not that over balsa?

I have basswood and I've also made some hard maple blocks that I use with 1 mic and .5 mic diamond sprays. The maple is so hard that after I lapped it using pencil grids, sandpaper and my granite surface plate I can actually use it like a hone (edge leading) and it doesn't bite into the wood or shave any off.

The balsa having a softer surface is different than those. It conforms to the edge and acts more like a strop in that regard.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

I have basswood and I've also made some hard maple blocks that I use with 1 mic and .5 mic diamond sprays. The maple is so hard that after I lapped it using pencil grids, sandpaper and my granite surface plate I can actually use it like a hone (edge leading) and it doesn't bite into the wood or shave any off.

The balsa having a softer surface is different than those. It conforms to the edge and acts more like a strop in that regard.

Chris L

All right you have tried them all. cool

Originally Posted by kevint

All right you have tried them all. cool

Balsa, Basswood and Hard Maple is as far as I've gone using any woods for strops or hones. I got the basswood at the same craft store in 1/4"x3"x36" dimensions. It definitely works with chrome ox, but since it's much stiffer and the surface doesn't have that softness the balsa does it for me.

Chris L