Thread: Wiki leaves one question in my mind

I have been through the wiki on this forum which has left one short question in my mind. Why are there hones with two different grit ratings?

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I have been through the wiki on this forum which has left one short question in my mind. Why are there hones with two different grit ratings?

You mean like the combo ones? Norton 4k/8k. One side is 4k and the other side is 8k.

Or are you talking the natural stones where an approximate grit range is given?

Exactly the Norton combo stones the 4K/8K is an excellent example and I am thinking of buying one. Why the two sides?

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Exactly the Norton combo stones the 4K/8K is an excellent example and I am thinking of buying one. Why the two sides?

Its a bit cheaper to buy a combo stone than a separate 4k and 8k.

I will say it can be a bit of a pain in the arse to have to keep flipping the stone over if you are doing pyramids.

It is basically 2 separate stones in one.

I was under the impression that one should start on the 4K side to start off the honing which will sharpen the edge quickly then flip the stone to the 8K side for the later part of the honing which will hone less quickly but produce a finer edge to the blade.

Are you asking why a single stone would contain two grits? If so, Slartibartfast nailed that one. You basically get half of a full thickness 4k and half of a full thickness 8k for the price of one (or so). Since you need both stones anyway and most people are unlikely to wear through one, it's better to just buy half of each glued together for half the price.

Or are you asking why you need more than one grit in the first place, in one stone or otherwise? If so, see here.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I was under the impression that one should start on the 4K side to start off the honing which will sharpen the edge quickly then flip the stone to the 8K side for the later part of the honing which will hone less quickly but produce a finer edge to the blade.

It depends on how you are doing it. If you are just doing a progression, then yes.

Stay on the 4k side until you are popping arm hairs, then move to the 8k side.

I was referring to the pyramid method above, which is suppose to be a "fool proof" method of honing.

In my limited honing experience the 2 most import things are: 1) get a good sharp bevel set & 2)light strokes. you may think you have a light stroke, but probably not.

Here is one of glen's thoughts on the progression:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/350008-post3.html

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I'll weigh in with my tests.. Take them for what they are worth, as all tests are a personal read....

1k level the bevel set = pass the TNT easily then a few more light laps and the edge will pop arm hair at the skin level and I mean pop not cut just a touch and the hair is gone....

4k level sharpened = Pass the TPT easily and the edge will pop arm hair above the skin, again it pops the hair I don't have to try and play with the edge...

Yes I have no hair on my left forearm the wife now calls it "Hone Mange"

Above that I don't do any more tests until after the final stropping when I do an HHT with the wife's baby fine hairs... I don't even consider this a real test I do it because I know as soon as somebody gets the blade home they are going to try it ..... The last test is the shave test and really the only one that matters...

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I was under the impression that one should start on the 4K side to start off the honing which will sharpen the edge quickly then flip the stone to the 8K side for the later part of the honing which will hone less quickly but produce a finer edge to the blade.

Exactly. Or, with the norton 4k/8k you can actually do pyramids as described in the wiki, where you flip back and forth between the two sides.

What do you mean by a progression?

Originally Posted by jbcohen

What do you mean by a progression?

A progression is a series of grits used to slowly achieve a final polish. An example of a progression could look something like 1k, 4k, 8k, 12k.

The way Slartibartfast used the word means that you are progressing straight from the 4k to the 8k and not doing pyramids or anything else like that.