Thread: I bought some hones

I went yesterday and bought a set of king whetstones from a local woodworking store. I got a set of king stones with a 800/4000 combination stong and a 6000 stone and a nagura stone. I worked with one of my razors on it and I think that I got a pretty good edge on it but I was wondering if I need to get an even finer hone than the 6000. I dont want to use pasted strops becouse i dont want to put a rounded edge on on the blade. So would I be ok jumping from a 6000 to a 12000 chinese stone or do I need somthing in between. Or should I geta barbers hone instead of the 12000 chinese.

Just a comment on the rounded edge issue. In most hands a hanging pasted strop WILL indeed put a rounded edge on a razor but many skilled barbers, mostly old timers used them frequently.

The pasted strop most of us use is a pasted paddle strop. With this the leather is bonded to a hard substrate like wood (TI, Dovo, and my Heirloom paddle strops) or to Corian (Hand American bench hones). Thin leather and a hard substrate will not round the edge and this method has been used for a 100 years with good results.

In the wrong hands though even a non-pasted hanging strop can round the edge. It is more technique (or lack of) than the tool in most cases.

I am not really a hone guy so can't be sure but do think you would want a step betwen the 6000 and the 12,000 stones.

Tony

To add to what Tony has said.

Yes, you will need to go to at least the 8000 stone. 6000 grit is to coarse to stop at and you do need to use the 8000 before going on to the 12000 or a pasted paddle strop.

I would use the nagura stone only on the 4000 grit stone but not on the 6000 or the 8000 stone. By using the nagura stone you are making the hone more aggressive, less fine. You need the fineness on the 8000 stone for sure so definitely do not use the nagura stone on the 8000 grit side or the 12000 stone. My conclusions are based on first hand experience with a straight razor. The time to use the nagura stone on the 8000 side would be for knives, plane blades, lathe tool, chisels etc. but not for a straight razor, ever.

The use of a paddle strop is a definite plus. I would strongly consider it.


Hope this helps,

A short 6k/12k pyramid might be a very good thing for just a touch up?

My apologies. I mis-read his post. He has a 800/4000 King waterstone and a 12000. Sorry about that. My "eyes" saw 8000/4000.

It is quite a jump to go from a 6000 grit to a 12000 grit. It can probably be done but boy will you be spending some time on the hones! Whew!

What kind of 12000 stone do you have?

I dont have the 12000 yet but I was loking at buying one of these

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...&FamilyID=4920

Hey randydance I just noticed that you were from St Paul. Witch area? im in shoreview.

Thats the hone that I use after the 8000 hone. It takes about 50-100 laps but gives a noticeable improvement to the edge.

Originally Posted by UFO8MyCow

I dont have the 12000 yet but I was loking at buying one of these

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...&FamilyID=4920

I am just down the street from you! In East St. Paul. I35E and Maryland area.

My phone is 651-776-0699 call anytime and we can get together. Call me after 5 Pm please. I will be happy to help you with anything you want.

Directions:
I35E south
to Maryland exit
left(east) for 4 blocks to Desoto St.
turn right(south) 6 blocks to
Lawson
Stop
I am the house on the right corner with the big retaining walls
Desoto St. & Lawson Ave.

Randy Tuttle
1027 Desoto St.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
651-776-0699

Originally Posted by UFO8MyCow

Hey randydance I just noticed that you were from St Paul. Witch area? im in shoreview.