Thread: Looking to get a new set of hones... Make me some recommendations!

I am looking to get a new honing setup, and would like your opinions and recommendations based on the following specs:

1. Dont want or need to spend lots of money
2. I am thinking of getting naturals

Some of the hones I am definitely interested in are the Nani's, Chinese 12K, Japaneses hones, a Belgian Coticule and maybe a japanese kita or similar. I have used Belgians and Kitas and am pleased with their performance.

Current hones:
DMT 325
DMT 1200
Spyderco Med
Spyderco Fine
Spyderco Ultra Fine
Crox Paddle

Links are appreciated!

Thanks

I recall a sign in a high performance car parts store,"Speed is expensive, how fast do you want to go?"

If you liked the feel of the edge off of a coticule I would say a natural 2x6 or a slate backed yellow. An 8x3 is more desireable for me but is of course more money.

Naniwa 3k, 5k, 8k is also very good IME. You can set a bevel with your DMT 1200 and then pyramid on the 3/5 and polish on the 8.

I use Shapton pro stones myself but a completely natural setup would be a tough call. How about Belgian blue and yellow coticule, then thuringian or escher (might be able to use a chinese 12k here but they are not the same)and finish with a japanese kiita. Of course this doesn't fit too well with the other condition of not spending a lot of greenies.

1k,3k Chosera
I hear great things about 10k Chosera but its super expensive.
I like my 8k King, and 10k Naniwa SS.
The 8k and 10K , I think, can be substituted with a good natural Jap polishing stone:
a site that sells Nat Stones here: aframestokyo.com

I also have Suehiro Rika 5k , I find this one very good, its hard and fast, some people say its very similar to 5k Chosera.

Nice post, I am thinking of moving on from my Norton 4/8 to something a little different. I was thinking about a DMT600 (strictly hone lapping) and a 3k/8k set of Naniwa stones.

Ive got a 1k King for bevel setting.

FWIW I really like my BBW/Coticule natural combo. If I had to get one again, I sure would. There are plenty of guys here that have these for sale, and Bart has lots of info on them here.

Originally Posted by dnjrboy

Nice post, I am thinking of moving on from my Norton 4/8 to something a little different. I was thinking about a DMT600 (strictly hone lapping) and a 3k/8k set of Naniwa stones.

Ive got a 1k King for bevel setting.

If you're going for a DMT for lapping they won't warranty anything but a DMTC 325 or coarser. The X or the XX. It was found out the hard way that anything above the 325 will get worn out in a hurry lapping waterstones.

Since you said you would prefer naturals, a natural coticule combo is the way to go. The finish on the coticule with just water is good, but you have the option of the chromium oxide afterwards as well. That's probably your best option, since you don't want to spend a lot of money. A Japanese natural is always a nice addition, but they're not cheap.

I know you said you wanted naturals, but a Shapton 16k really goes well with the set up that you have now.

I have the Spyderco hones, stay away from them unless you want a VERY slow set... unless you lap them before every use.

That being said, the UF and Fine give great edges as finishers, I'm still not convinced they are different hones.

I say get a Japanese natural, they feel...just....capital.