Thread: C12K w/slurry & Escher

I was having issues (see patience) w/ my Chinese 12k recently due to the fact that 1.) it seemed to take forever, and 2.) the feedback was minimal. I know that for many experienced folks the feedback and feel come with time but as an inexperienced honer I need every advantage and piece of advice I can get. In reading thru the wiki and threads along with watching Lynn's video, the idea of a slurry stone w/the C12k gave me an idea. I purchased a C12k from Zib on the classifieds and employed that on the C12k followed by a session on an Escher that was loaned to me by a friend and member here. The results both during the honing and the shave following were much better than before. I have managed to cut my C12k time in what seems to be half along with much better feedback, again this might be my imagination but it certainly felt that way. I realize that the previous setup I had probably had something to do with the shave as this is the first time I've used the escher in conjunction with the C12k slurry stone but it seems the slurry and the escher may have helped me get to a level that I was not previously at. The true test will be once I get one ready to send to Gugi who has been great in providing feedback to me on my honing and what I might do to take it to the next level. While I am not striving to achieve "honemeister" status, I do believe that everyone should be able to maintain their razors to their liking, with the understanding that periodic visits to the likes of Lynn, Max, Glen, Dan, Ron, John, Ken, etc...are necessary until you have a few more razors than I under your belt.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Joe

Hi,
The 12k is notoriously slow & gives little feedback. As you have observed though, the usefulness can be increased with a slurry stone. It should indeed half the time, or thereabouts.
I'm not sure on the use of the 12k & Escher in the same progression though. It tends to be one or the other. Mine rarely get's used, as i favour a thuringian.
Honing's not for everyone. I'd rather maintain my own, but if someone else is happy to send theirs out each time, that's their choice. Enjoy.

Ben, with that in mind, from reading your post you go with either the C12k or the Escher, not both correct? The reason I ask is that I was considering purchasing either and Escher or a Shapton 16k which would put my progression as such: Norton 4k/8k, Chinese 12K w/slurry, Escher or Shapton. My thought process behind this came from reading that grit progression should increase systematically through the process.

I'm guilty of both honing and sending out. I've run into a few that I knew where way beyond my skill level, they hit the door/mailbox quickly!

Joe

There's no reason not to have the stones Joe. I think that using them all in the same progression may be a bit of a wasted exercise. Each to their own though, especially here, it seems!
I've not tried the Shaptons, but at 16k, it's a definite stage further, whereas the Escher & Ch12k are fairly similar. TBH I get a great edge from a Coticule with just water & am happy to stop there. I've got the Thuringian & Ch12k too though.
Just as a note, even with the 12k, if you're using slurry, start diluting it & continue honing. Add a few drops of clean water every 10 laps or so till it's just water. It'll refine the edge just a little more.
I think that if you have to choose, the choice should be between the Escher & Ch12k, rather than the Escher & Shapton.

This is interesting. I was experimenting with Bart's method only using circles to start on both the Chinese 12K and the Escher to see if I could sharpen a razor from start to finish on both. It worked very well, but the Chinese even with the Slurry was about 1/3 slower. Can't figure that out as I was thinking the slurry would make up all the difference in the stone until I got to the polishing with water. Still pasted at the end.

I look at the Chinese 12K, Escher, Coticule, Naniwa 12K, Nakayama, Charnley and others as finishers after the 8K and before the paste or spray. That said, you can fine tune each by using a few strokes until dialed in on all of them. Just a matter of time.

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

This is interesting. I was experimenting with Bart's method only using circles to start on both the Chinese 12K and the Escher to see if I could sharpen a razor from start to finish on both. It worked very well, but the Chinese even with the Slurry was about 1/3 slower. Can't figure that out as I was thinking the slurry would make up all the difference in the stone until I got to the polishing with water. Still pasted at the end.

I look at the Chinese 12K, Escher, Coticule, Naniwa 12K, Nakayama, Charnley and others as finishers after the 8K and before the paste or spray. That said, you can fine tune each by using a few strokes until dialed in on all of them. Just a matter of time.

Lynn

Lynn, if you could only keep one finisher to use for yourself (never honing for others professionally) and had to toss the rest, which would you keep?

I know you asked Lynn, but my two cents, and I could keep only one finisher, Nakayama Maruichi, or any other Nakayama, Then Escher, Then Naniwa 12k in that order...
I think the Chinese 12k is a good hone for the price, especially when your first starting out, trying to keep costs down and not sure if you'll like using a str8. I mean for 20 bucks, you got a finisher, and something to refresh a blade that's going South...

Originally Posted by pjrage

Lynn, if you could only keep one finisher to use for yourself (never honing for others professionally) and had to toss the rest, which would you keep?

Hmmmmmmm.........................

Well, I am currently playing with a Charnley Forest and enjoying the results very much. This would be a tough call for me.

Lynn