Thread: hones: considering 3 setups

Really great advice! Thanks everyone.

The DGLP is definitely my problem with the Shaptons so if I don't need it then I'm definitely much more interested.

A 6" x 2" Coticule seems like a good compromise too!

Much to think about :-)

Thanks
khat

There is always a good reason that the pros use the equipment they do: it works, and it works well. After hearing that two very respected honemeisters around here use the Shapton cerramic on glass, I went ahead and ordered them. I figured I was in this hobby for the long term, and wanted one of the (arguably) best setups available today.

Yes, I'm aware that there are many, many honemeisters out there that use nothing but natural stones, others use different brands of synthetics, but overall, it seems that the honemeisters that use the Shaptons are very vocal and pleased with the results they get.

My vote: get the Shapton ceramic on glass 1k, 4k, 8k, and 16k, and you won't have to worry about feeding your HAD for a while. This is what I did, anyway, and I'm not a bit sorry I did.

About two to three weeks ago, coticules jumped about 50% in price. I don't know if they'll ever come down or not, maybe it's just a seasonal issue that the rock is harder to get to in the winter, I don't know. But until they do come down, the price/performance ratio appears to have shifted in favor of the Shaptons.

I have to admit, though, I am very curious about using both a BBW and coticule, but that'll have to wait for a while.

Edit: About the DGLP... there's cheaper ways to accomplish the same thing. Recently, it has come to light that DMT doesn't recommend using anything finer than their DMT XXC plate for lapping purposes, and I can support that position; my DMT 8E is about shot after using it to lap my Shaptons. I have been using automotive wet/dry sandpaper on a completely flat granite tile to lap my Shaptons with great success. Shoot, you could satisfy your coticule curiosity with the money you could save from not buying that GDLP.

Buy only a coticule ( 8x1,5 or 8x2 )

Originally Posted by ArdennesCoticule

Not important! All Coticule stones sold by our vendors for straight razor use are excellent for straight razor honing!
You don't have to think in terms of 'grit numbers' when dealing with natural hone stones. Our Coticule stones have proved their value since 150 years .

I think you made a typo, Rob. The Romans knew about, and used, Coticule stones for honing. I guess it must be "1500 years"... Plinius, I believe it was, has written about it.

I believe those 3 setups will all work just fine.
What you'll like best depends on your personal temperament and whether you're sensitive for tradition and history, or on the other hand are more a mathematical type that likes precise numbers. In the former case, you'll like the Coticule way, in the latter case you're a Shapton guy. If you're very down to Earth, you'll go with the cheaper option, which spells Norton.

There's one additional thing that draws me personally to the Belgian hones: No soaking. No frequent lapping. No glazing. They're always ready to go and practically last forever.

I think the Shapton 16K will produce the keenest edge.
I think a Coticule, with its unique garnets, produces the edge that differentiates best between whiskers and skin.
I think the Norton is surpassed by the Shaptons, but it's still a valuable setup, and very cost-effective.

Your Chinese 12K, imo, will loose its purpose in a Shapton 4-8-16 setup and also in the Belgian setup.

Bart.

I bet on an 8x2 BBW/Coticule combo that I ordered from Rob for under $200 (slurry stone included) recently. It has not arrived yet but my expectations are high. I expect it to make me retire some of my current hones (8k Shapton, Chinese 12k).

The 8k Shapton is a very nice hone but it needs constant lapping. I am afraid that the 16k would require even more love. My 12k Chinese is a mystery - rather soft, coarse, unpredictible, disappointing. I'll probably keep a 800/4k King combo because it was dirt cheap and it is a good bevel setter even if I do not care about the 4k side much. My first hone was a little Colonel Conk Arkansas stone (glued to wood) and I quite like it. It gives me excellent feedback, much better than the King, I like to follow the 800 hone with this one.

I'd go
DMT 1200
8x2(or3) belgian combo
Cro2(or a nice diamond paste) on a paddle strop
I can get most razors respectably keen with these hones/pastes. I must admit, I don't have a DMT 1200 yet, I have to use wet'n'dry till I get one.
One thing I have been to by a Maestro though "Some razors respond better to different honing media"
but this setup should work with most razors.

I would just get a norton 4000/8000 stone (combo or 2 single grits if you prefer) and a nice coticule solely for finishing after the 8000 norton. That's what I have. I only use the coticule with water water only, and mine's a nice hard one I got specifically for polishing, not really for bevel setting or any of that hard work.

If you wanted to, you could substitute the norton 4000 and 8000 with the shapton 4000 and 8000.

So you could get by with only getting 3 stones, a 4000, 8000 and a coticule.

But, my vote goes towards: 1) Norton 4000/8000 stone: $65
Coticule, maybe 6"x2": $125
Total = $190

You could get those stones from Howard, and then you're done! That's just my opinion though...you could always substitute the coticule for a shapton 16000 for only a little more $.

Lots of good advice here, I would just add that the norton 4000/8000 is a great learning platform for honing a razor.
Good luck.

Kristoffer.

Buy it all and sell what you decide you don't like

Unother, all you need, setup:

DMT D8C
norton 1000/4000
coticule 8x2 - with slury
- with water
Chromium dioxide