Thread: hones: considering 3 setups

Hi all, I only have a DMTD8C and a Chinese12K so far. My goals are to keep my current razors sharp and later sharpen factory bought razors. I've spent a lot of time reading the forums and below are the 3 setups I'm considering:

DMT D8C (I have one)
Norton 4k/8k $65
Norton Prep Stone $15
Chinese 12K (I have one)
C12K slurry stone $8 (if Zib still has any)
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$88 + shipping

Pros: cheap, gets the job done, used by many.
Con: not quiet the absolute best results (Although great results in capable hands and with the right pastes.)

DMT D8C (I have one)
B Blue 8x3 $70
B Coticule 8x3 $255
Coticule Slurry S. $24
box for Coticule $19
Chinese 12K (I have one)
C12K slurry stone $8 (if Zib still has any)
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$376 + shipping

Pro: Legendary and versatile Coticule. There's something special about having all natural stones.
Cons: Expensive, not sure what grit you'll get.

Shptn DGLP $284
Shptn 4K $55
Shptn 8K $97
Shptn 16K $99 (can buy later because I have C12K)
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$535

Pros: Room for expansion in both directions (1K, 30K), consistent quality and grit.
Con: Expensive. Spent all that money and still have Shapton Pro series envy (DRLP:$489, 5K:$82, 8K:$102, 15K:$129 = $802)

I know there are many more options but I stayed with what seems to be more mainstream and readily available. I'm also not considering pastes and Chomium Ox. at this point: I'm saving that for later. I'm leaning towards option 1 or 2. Am I on the right track?

Thanks

option 2 and why you have t ohave 8*3 coticle?instead of 8/3 go get smaller combo one.i bought a good combo stone less then 100 you will save almost 150.now why you need box for coticle?slurry you ca nfind cheaper option too.buy spending less then 150 you can have option 2 and my advise use chro2 too not expensive and very helpful .good luck

Could be that all you really need is a 4 (or 5) and an 8.

I would rather have a coticule than a dglp

All of these would work for you, but you probably know this already. Of course, There is a big difference in the $$ between the Norton and Shapton system. If money is not an issue, I would vote for the Shapton system. This is basically the system I use and I love it as do many other members.

I started with the BBW and a Coticule and have since moved on to the Shaptons. If this is something you think you might eventually do, then you should go with the Shaptons now.

Obviously, you've done your research. All three would work, but I would vote for the Shaptons because I feel you will go there eventually.

Steve

I got a 6x1.5 coticle from Classic Shaving for about $55 and its big enought to start with. After all, even though the Coticle is great, not everyone will like it, so why pay so much for your first one?

Another good buy is a Spyderco UF, it put a great edge and is cheap so if you don't like it you won't have braken the bank.

Hi all. Thanks for the feedback. I hadn't considered a smaller coticule because honing is hard enough that I want all chances on my side by having a hone that covers the whole blade. The price is considerably different though so I'll think about that.

About combination Coticule / BBW stones: because they are rare I believe they are more expensive than buying the 2 seperately (same surface area of course).

Thanks
Khat

You could easily go with Shapton 4K, 8K and 16K and have a great set up. You already have the DMT which will lap the Shaptons quite well. Later, if you wanted to, you could branch out into the natural stones (coticule, escher, Japanese etc.) or a 30K Shapton. To address one of your "cons", the Shapton Pro series is not necessarily more desirable for our purposes. In fact, at least one highly respected Honemeister with extensive Shapton experience prefers the Glass stone to the Pro at a finishing level ie: 15K Pro vs 16 K Glass. I think that the general opinion is that the actual abrasive (comparing equivalent grit sizes)used in the two lines is very similar, you just get a thicker piece with the Pro line.

You could also go the "one from column A and one from column B" route, if you chose to, with great results. Maybe a Norton 4/8 or the corresponding Shaptons and a coticule for example.

If I had to chose on this particular day I would go for a DMT D8E continuous plate for setting bevels and the Norton 4k and 8k single grit, not the combo. If I wanted a higher grit then the Chinese 12 either the Shapton 15 pro or the 16 glass. If I was going for a coticule it would be a 6X2 natural. Already having the D8C I would forget the GDLP.

Originally Posted by khat

Pro: Legendary and versatile Coticule. There's something special about having all natural stones.
Cons: Expensive, not sure what grit you'll get.

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 .

If you have the DMT and the C12K I would just get the norton 4/8 and a 2X8 coticule. If you have the DMT I see no need for the prep stone and as for the slury stone I haven't used mine but twice. I go from the norton 8000 to the 2X8 coticule with water only. As for the 12K slury I know nothing about them. If I could start over though I would look hard at the shaptons.

Don