Thread: Learning to Hone

Originally Posted by elbows

I already have the DOVO paddle strop, with leather on one side and wood on the other, coated with red paste. Will this do for maintenance, or am I better off with a Swaty hone?

I'm not sure, but I think the red paste is the coarser one. So you'd still benefit from a Swaty. It gives you speed flexibility because you can use it dry, wet or with lather. Also, you can use it wet right at the sink. You wouldn't want to wet the strop.

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

I'm not sure, but I think the red paste is the coarser one. So you'd still benefit from a Swaty. It gives you speed flexibility because you can use it dry, wet or with lather. Also, you can use it wet right at the sink. You wouldn't want to wet the strop.

Here's what info is on classicshaving.com
Green Sharpening Paste is the coarsest with a particle size averaging 6 microns and should be used on a very dull edge.
Red Sharpening Paste is less coarse with a particle size of 2-4 microns and will refresh a mildly dull edge.
Yellow Paste has no sharpening qualities and is used as a leather strop conditioner on your "everyday use" strop.
White Paste is used as an edge polish on the LINEN STROP ONLY!
Best,
Mark

Originally Posted by marciaga

Red Sharpening Paste is less coarse with a particle size of 2-4 microns and will refresh a mildly dull edge.

My mistake. That makes the red equal to about an 8K. Not very helpful if you're going to have an 8K stone.

I would get a Swaty.

Hello Joe,

I think it was about one year ago over on the Yahoo SRP that the Col Conk hone question came up. It was determined, I forget how, that it was a 1200 grit hone.

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

A 1200 stone wouldn't make much difference I actually use A 1220 diamond hone for this. The Col. Conk hone is a razor hone, so it's probably a lot finer than 1200, probably about 6K.

The 1K is too coarse for a razor. It's jus used to pare it down to the point where you can hone normally.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I think it was about one year ago over on the Yahoo SRP that the Col Conk hone question came up. It was determined, I forget how, that it was a 1200 grit hone.

How can they sell thar for razors? Did you see the rough edge the 1K gives you? That's what my ultrafine diamond (1200) gives me.

randydance062449 said:

I think it was about one year ago over on the Yahoo SRP that the Col Conk hone question came up. It was determined, I forget how, that it was a 1200 grit hone.

This is from the premiumknives.com website:

"The Colonel Conk Water Hone works wonders for sharpening straight razors and cutlery. Approximately 1200 Grit stone with instructions for use."

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

randydance062449 said:

This is from the premiumknives.com website:

"The Colonel Conk Water Hone works wonders for sharpening straight razors and cutlery. Approximately 1200 Grit stone with instructions for use."

I'll repeat my question in the hope that someone will have an answer. We know that a 1200 grit is only good for roughing in an edge. You need to go to the 4K just to finish making the edge, forget about polishing. How can a 1200 hone be used as a razor hone?

opinion only:
Although I can't provide any evidence of such I personally do not believe that hone is 1200 grit. If I were to make an uneducated guess I'd say its about 5,000-6,000 grit. I think it is a poor razor hone but works ok for setting an edge and I think it qualifies as a razor hone, but that it is not 1200 grit. I will hone a razor on it and check it under a microscope. But I would still just be guessing from my use of it. I would think a 1200 would feel rougher than a 4,000 and it is smoother than 4,000.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

opinion only:
Although I can't provide any evidence of such I personally do not believe that hone is 1200 grit. If I were to make an uneducated guess I'd say its about 5,000-6,000 grit. I think it is a poor razor hone but works ok for setting an edge and I think it qualifies as a razor hone, but that it is not 1200 grit. I will hone a razor on it and check it under a microscope. But I would still just be guessing from my use of it. I would think a 1200 would feel rougher than a 4,000 and it is smoother than 4,000.

That's what I always thought, but the ad does say 1200, unless it's a mistake.

There's a similar inconsistency with hard Arkansas stones. They're nominally 1200 but feel much finer and do have a reputation for giving a fine finish. I read somewhee that the garnet particles are 3-5 micron, which is between 4K and 8K.

I'd love to be able to figure it out, but in the mean time I would feel comfortable at this point believing my own eyes and uneducated opinion over an advertisement...last time I brought it up on the old site I got shot down pretty quick...oddly by a lot of people who had never actually seen one...oh well, I'm still open to an interpretation. If I owned a 1200 grit hone I might feel more certain about it. Anyone who owns one have an opinion?