Thread: Need some advice

Hey guys,

I need some help. I have a Norton 4k/8k but nothing else. Also have a TM #3 hanging strop with linen and leather, which I do not plan to touch with pastes. Is it possible to get a shave-ready edge with only the Norton?

I am thinking of getting some more equipment if needed, but need some info/help. I don't know whether I should get a coticule, a pasted paddle strop, etc.? What would you all suggest?

Could I go straight from the Norton to a pasted paddle strop?

If I go the paddle strop route, from what I read, I was thinking 3.0 micron diamond, 1.0 micron diamond, 0.5 micron diamond, and 0.5 micron chromium........does this make sense?

Or should I not get a pasted paddle and just get a coticule? If so, where do I purchase the coticule?

I know I have lots of questions, but I'm looking for some guidance. I've been around for a while and read posts and the wiki, but still have these questions. Any help would be great. Thanks a million guys!

I believe there are some posts and info in the WIKI that will answer your questions
I have read somewhere here that it can be done with what you have unless it has nicks in the blade then you may need a coarser grit stone.

Howdy,

In a very simple answer, yes you can get a shave ready edge off of a norton 4/8k if you have some honing skills. I believe that some members could do a better job off of an 8k than I can do off of a 15k.

That said though, adding in the pastes can really help. I went almost a year with a 4/8k and a chromium oxide pastes paddle strop as my only option and I got great shaves. Then I joined the search for the elusive perfect shave...

Keith,

it's the never ending story to the ultimate.

Unfortunately you will get many different suggestions and advise.

You already have a 4/8 Norton. It is a pretty known factor that an edge coming from a pasted strop or paddle will not last as long as one coming from a hone. Many find the edge coming from diamond paste a bit to harsh. You could smooth it out with cro-ox if that's the case. 8K equals +- 3 micron so I would drop the 3 micron if you want to go the pasted route. Cro-ox is around the 0.5 micron. So you could opt for a pasted 1 micron diamond and 0.5 cro-ox.

Personally I would get a hone in the 12K range myself, be it the naniwa superstone 12k, an Escher or Thuringian stone, Chinese 12K if you are on a budget (but very slow cutter) or the Shapton 16K. Cro-ox is really not that expensive and is always worth having.

I have all and use the naniwa uperstone 12K and Shapton 16K the most. I also own a very expensive Karasu Jap natural stone, but don't always use it.

It will mostly depend what your budget is and like I said before, you will get different suggestions as everyone has their own routine or beliefs.

Max,

If I went with the Naniwa 12k, I would used that after my Norton 8k, then linen & leather strop and be ready to shave? Is that enough as a finisher, or would I need something else also?

Obviously it depends on the metal of the blade, technique, etc., but what is the ballpark range for # of passes using the Naniwa 12k after the Norton 8k?

Can the Naniwa be lapped with wet/dry sandpaper as the Norton can? (I have wet/dry 600 & 1000 paper that worked well in the past)

Is the Naniwa 12k a better choice than a coticule? (smaller grit size, smoother shave edge)?

If I went with the Naniwa 12k, I would used that after my Norton 8k, then linen & leather strop and be ready to shave?

If honed and stropped properly, yes.

Is that enough as a finisher, or would I need something else also?

I finish many razors with just the naniwa super 12K. But like you already know different steel will need different technqiues. But in general it's safe to say I finish 90% of my razors just with the naniwa s 12K. Sometimes followed by a few laps on the cro-ox. Lynn finishes with the diamond spray. So there are a few options.

Obviously it depends on the metal of the blade, technique, etc., but what is the ballpark range for # of passes using the Naniwa 12k after the Norton 8k?

When i come from the 8K hone depending it can be anywhere from 10 laps to maybe 20 laps tops. If after 20 laps I'm not satisfied I re evaluate and try to find the reason. Could be it wasn't ready yet to be finsihed or it needs a different hone.


Can the Naniwa be lapped with wet/dry sandpaper as the Norton can? (I have wet/dry 600 & 1000 paper that worked well in the past)

I've never used wet/dry sandpaper to flatten any of my hones so I can't give you an answer. I know many have no problems using the wet/dry sandpaper, others shiver just by the thought of using wet/dry sandpaper. I'd personaly just invest in a DMT8C. It's not a bank breaker and it you'll use for a long time with many uses.

As to the Belgian / Naniwa 12K contest. I don't want to get involved in a debate with the Coticule aficionados. To each their own really. Whatever works best for you. For my personal choice and experience, I prefer the Naniwa 12K over the Coticule. As a matter of fact I sold my Belgian combo long time ago.

Thank you so so much, Max! You are a BIG help!!!

Only one more question....I promise


Would it make any sense at all for me to get both the Naniwa AND a pasted paddle strop, or is that just redundant? If it's not redundant, what would you paste it with? (I don't know if the 12k is finer than most pastes, in which case the paddle strop wouldn't be a smart investment along with a stone). Any thoughts?

Agreeing with what has been suggested, reading this thread got me to thinking of what I learned when the Norton was the main workhorse around here. Before all of the newer contenders for best stone. The 4k can set a bevel if that is all you have and the 4k is for sharpening. The 8k is for polishing and refining the already sharp edge. You can get a mighty nice smooth and close shave off of the 8k.

The higher grit stones will add some to the sharpness but mainly polish for a smoother feeling shave. I was encouraged to test shave off of the 8k to make sure I was already sharp enough with the 4/8 before I moved up in the progression. That is how I know that the 4/8 is adequate for a good shave. This helped me to gauge how I was coming along with my honing. If I was getting a good shave I must be doing something right.

Like you I figure more is better so I have a gang of finishing hones and I use them for more icing on the cake. I imagine you can do just fine with what you have. I also have chrome ox and 0.5 diamond spray and one or the other for those are real good if I use them.

Jimmy,

Using your 8k as your polish/finisher, how many laps would you do before test shaving?

Did you use pyramid progressions or some other method?

I'm glad to hear I could just use the norton...I guess my concern was that it would either not be sharp enough to shave well, or that it would be so rough I'd get tons of razorburn.