Thread: The cure for HAD

Originally Posted by Ben325e

Jimmy, you should go to Foodieforums.com, the "Fred's cutlery Forum" subforum, and search for the Sigma Power 10k vs the Chosera 10k. Most people there feel that you get 99% of the Chosera benefits for about 1/2 the price when you go with the Sigma Power.

The straight razor guys know three things: Shaptons, Nortons and Naturals. (DMT doesn't count to me...)
The kitchen guys however, know sigma power, naniwa, king, norton, shapton, takenoko, etc.... I've learned much more about manmade stones from the kitchen guys, and I wish that we could get more of that variety here (I can hear it now..."well why don't you buy them all and let us know, Ben? ). It seems that we as straight razor users on average are much more hesitant to break out of the norm and use something that doesn't have a reputation built up yet. Takenoko 8k stones are rumored to be great, naniwa 5k,, etc.

Thanks for the info, Ben. I know it seems like razor guys are set in their ways and resistant to change to some degree; but actually, even though a handful of the veterans have been using either the Shapton pro series or the ceramic on glass for quite awhile, that group was VERY small up until about a year ago when more of us really added to the overall group. Shapton popularity relatively speaking is very new around here. Us HADdicts are only limited by time and budget in trying new stones that we think will be good for razors. Keep feeding us with options as others will also and we'll have the urge to try them all!

Spyderco ceramics were pretty hot for a short time around here and seemed to have since fizzled in popularity. We're all for trying new stones IMO.

Chris L

As unbelievable as it sounds, I *did* cure my HAD. My cure is not for everyone, and does carry risk, but here it is for anyone interested.

I went and bought an expensive Japanese natural stone. I do not think the cure was the stone itself, but it's cost and the wife's reaction to it when she found out! I found the threat of divorce makes one put into perspective those bits of rock dug up from the ground that one rubs razor on

I did have one bout of remission, but that was less about HAD and more about completing a set.

James.

I could see that, Jimbo. I'm not going to take your plan that far. Actually, I'm happy to say my HAD although it will probably never be cured, has stayed in check for quite awhile now. I have refrained from buying stones like the Chosera 10k and the Shapton 30k even though I want them. My urge to acquire and try any stone out there, both natural or manufactured was, I have to admit, tied in with my newness to this craft. I'm by no means what I would consider to be a honemeister; however, my HAD at its worst I must admit was fueled somewhat by the subconscious notion that stone "X" would be the magic stone that would easily and astoundingly bring my edges to a place men only dream of. The STONE would bring my edges there. Wisdom and at least a small amount of experience although latent, has brought that into perspective for me. Naturally it's the honer and not the hone that matters most. You guys know all of this, but I thought I'd mention it for the benefit of any newbie in the future that may be combing this thread in the future. Practice skills first and acquire many stones second if you wish. Either way, you have to develop the skills. Having 100 stones won't help if you don't have technique.

Just a few hopefully helpful thoughts.

Chris L

Postman showed up, and as expected, he brought my Shapton 30k from SRD. Thanks, Lynn and Don!

Scuse me while I go hone something....

Originally Posted by FloorPizza

Postman showed up, and as expected, he brought my Shapton 30k from SRD. Thanks, Lynn and Don!

Scuse me while I go hone something....

That Shapton 30k isn't a real cure for HAD. I'll bet it's more like just eating dinner. You will be hungry again...soon. You might even already be thinking about dessert?

I, however, am cured.

(Ignore my signature line. Barber hones don't count anyway...yes???)

Originally Posted by Sticky

(Ignore my signature line. Barber hones don't count anyway...yes???)

If it makes you feel better I will agree with that.

When you get one of these stones you will be cured ....... for sure.

Originally Posted by Chris L

Having 100 stones won't help if you don't have technique. Chris L

Now you tell me

Originally Posted by Chris L

I could see that, Jimbo. I'm not going to take your plan that far. Actually, I'm happy to say my HAD although it will probably never be cured, has stayed in check for quite awhile now. I have refrained from buying stones like the Chosera 10k and the Shapton 30k even though I want them. My urge to acquire and try any stone out there, both natural or manufactured was, I have to admit, tied in with my newness to this craft. I'm by no means what I would consider to be a honemeister; however, my HAD at its worst I must admit was fueled somewhat by the subconscious notion that stone "X" would be the magic stone that would easily and astoundingly bring my edges to a place men only dream of. The STONE would bring my edges there. Wisdom and at least a small amount of experience although latent, has brought that into perspective for me. Naturally it's the honer and not the hone that matters most. You guys know all of this, but I thought I'd mention it for the benefit of any newbie in the future that may be combing this thread in the future. Practice skills first and acquire many stones second if you wish. Either way, you have to develop the skills. Having 100 stones won't help if you don't have technique.

Just a few hopefully helpful thoughts.

Chris L

This is exactly the same as my experiences with HAD, even though I haven't tried that many finishers, just paste, the UF, 16K, coticule and a Nakayma, I've learned a lot, probably the most important lesson was that the new stone, the magic next one, wouldn't be any better than the honer doing the actual honing. I'll admit that I realized this a couple of weeks after getting my Nakayama from So, and experimenting a lot with it, comparing razors finished on the different finishing hones I have available to me, seemd to kill my urge for high grit stones.

The only stones I'm thinking about at the moment is a 1K and/or a 2K bevelsetter which would double as a finisngstone for some of my knifes, and since I've been reading a lot over at knifesforum about the Sigma Power series, I'm tempted to try those.

Wouldn’t a full beard be a good cure for both RAD and HAD?
The price is right.