Thread: What are different grit hones for?

I recently asked "How many hones do I need to sharpen a straight razor?" I think the better question would be "What does each type of grit hone help with?" I would like to know the purpose of the 1000, 3000, 5000, 8000, 10000, and 12000 so I can decide which ones I should get. I looked at the Wiki page and it said approximately what some of them are for. Is there any more specifics than that? I guess I just have to use my judgement. Your help is very appreciated.

Thanks!

As many grits (Progression )you will get You will avoid making more mistakes.
Rest depends how much money you are willing to spend. if you can afford it go head get all or use double progression
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2000
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1600
GL

I use my 1k to set the bevel, and everything from there is just polishing (picked this up from JoeD and I happen to trust him and agree with him). Here, hones are the same as sandpaper - each hone will remove the scratches from the previous hone and impart smaller and/or shallower scratches as the edge becomes more polished. Moving through the progression properly will allow you to totally remove the scratches from the previous hone while spending the least amount of time on each given hone. In that regard, you need to find what fits your budget and the amount of time you plan/have/want to spend on your hones.

PS I've seen the hone-sandpaper analogy used several times by various members, so I take no credit for it.

As a general rule, other things being equal, subject to personal preferences etc., <4K are bevel setters, 4K - 8K are bevel developers, >8K can be considered polishers.

Again, as a general rule, the lower the grit the more metal is removed.

I made a triangle once.... I wonder where it is? ..... Found it!!



I like to use that idea when honing - kinda like the food group pyramid. (However, do not ask me what the triangle for my hone purchases looks like... )

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

As a general rule, other things being equal, subject to personal preferences etc., <4K are bevel setters, 4K - 8K are bevel developers, >8K can be considered polishers.

Again, as a general rule, the lower the grit the more metal is removed.

I made a triangle once.... I wonder where it is? ..... Found it!!



I like to use that idea when honing - kinda like the food group pyramid. (However, do not ask me what the triangle for my hone purchases looks like... )

James.

That's a good point. The lower the grit, he more metal to be removed.

Just what I am doing lately... Naniwa SuperStones, the 20mm thick ones with no base. I use a 1k to set a bevel and then the 3k and 5k in a pyramid as you would do with a Norton 4/8.

I shave test off that combination and if it is as good as I believe it ought to be I polish on the 8k. I if not I do more on the 3k/5k pyramid. I adapted this sequence based on the Japanese grit chart and what it said the micron sizes are compared to the Norton.

I know that knowledgeable folks say that you can't necessarily believe those charts but I tried it and unless I'm fooling myself the shave off of the 3/5 Naniwa feels as good as that off of a Norton 4/8.

When I polish with the Naniwa 8k it feels to me like it is a much finer result than with a Norton 8k. That is my story and I'm sticking to it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...do-i-need.html



Remember those Wiki pages are the condensed versions of actual threads and if you search through the links at the bottom you will sometimes find many questions asked and answered n the old threads...

Frustrated how are you doing? Are you getting the razor in shape?

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

As many grits (Progression )you will get You will avoid making more mistakes.
Rest depends how much money you are willing to spend. if you can afford it go head get all or use double progression
1000
2000
4000
8000
1600
GL

The more stones you use the bigger chance to mess up the edge.
For some of the old wedges , the edge is not straight its an arch, so you might have to use rolling from heel to tow at some angle to the stone not using the spine for reference. The more stones you use for those the bigger chance of screwing up the angle and the edge.

@ OP.
I use 500 for bevel setting (when needed)
1k,3k,5k,8k,10k, CrO strop
If I had a 4k I'd skip the 3 and 5k stones, I am going to try my progression with 3-8k jump, I want to minimize the number of stones used.
I am contemplating getting a 12k but so far I am not convinced that 10-12k is too big of a grit difference to excuse the purchase.

Here's a wiki on this:

What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki