Thread: hones: considering 3 setups

An $8 slurry stone for your CH12K would save you a lot of money. It cuts quicker with a slurry and may eliminate the need for an 8K in your arsenal.

I vote for #1. I have used those stones for a long time. They work.
Add in the chrome ox from here and us it on a paddle strop.
http://www.japaneseknifesharpeningst...lts.asp?Cat=27

I have not used the Shapton glass hones so I will not comment on them.

I have had 2 Coticules that were bad. One I still have, it is coarse.
The other was sent to me for evaluation. It was completely unacceptable for use on razors. BTW, I have numerous coticules and they are not all the same. Ask Howard, Bruce, Ted, Harrisonfan or Sandcounty. They have all seen my hones. Here are some of them.

Randy's collection shows a philosophy that often comes into play for me. It's not the arrow but the Indian.( I think I see a Acme red brick in Randy's collection.) True, a better arrow might help a competent Indian, however; when does expense exceed benefit? If you have the bucks to burn and have HAD, go for it. Collect them all. I had seriously considered switching to Shapton hones for my honing. I hone approximately 20 to 30 razors a week. I currently use Norton hones, a Chinese 12K and various grits of diamond paste on a bench strop system I made. I evaluated how razors it would it take to recoup the cost of the hones. The complete Shapton system with everything recommend, the holders, the pool, the lapping plate the 30K hone would have run close to $1000.00. Just about 67 razors. That and how much time would it take to dress the hones to maintain optimum performance. Shapton recommends dressing each hone for each razor. I currently dress (flatten) the Nortons about every 5 razors or so. With the system I'm now usuing I can hone 5 - 7 razors an hour, depending on how intense I'm working. My current rate of recouping hone expense is approximately 10 razors. I do have other stones and hones, NOT EVEN close to what Randy has collected, but I tend to go with what I am consistantly getting the best performance and cost balance.

I'd go for Option 2, but you can manage some of that extra cost:

- go for 8x2 on both BBW and coti, no need for 8x3. (But in my opinion the extra length is desirable.)
- don't bother with the box, you really don't need it.
- if you're buying both BBW and coti from one of our reputable dealers, then I'm sure you can ask if they might see to throwing in a slurry stone as part of the deal!

That's a $50-80 saving I reckon.

My choice would be the 4K, 8K Shapton and skip for now on the DGLP because you already have the DMT D8C. With the money you saved by not buying the DGLP pop for the 16K and you would have a setup that would give you excellent shaves for a long time. You could use the Chinese 12K for a door stop.

bj

Glen mentioned a complete Norton setup on Amazon for 120 bucks. Looks pretty sweet. Amazon.com: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone: Home Improvement

Originally Posted by 2Sharp

My choice would be the 4K, 8K Shapton and skip for now on the DGLP because you already have the DMT D8C. With the money you saved by not buying the DGLP pop for the 16K and you would have a setup that would give you excellent shaves for a long time. You could use the Chinese 12K for a door stop.

bj

How about instead of this:

Originally Posted by khat

Shptn DGLP $284
Shptn 4K $55
Shptn 8K $97
Shptn 16K $99
-----
Total: $535

You try this:

DMT D8C
Shapton 4k $55
Shapton 8k $97
Chinese 12k
Chro-Ox on a homemade paddle strop
-----
Total: $152

Then, you can ask for the Shapton 16k for Christmas!
or Chanukah, Easter, Father's Day, your Birthday, Thanksgiving...
They'll get the picture!

Thanks again everyone for the great advice. I'm thinking hard about all this and hope to make a decision by the weekend.
Khat

khat's nice Coticule/BBW combo will be shipped out tomorrow!