Thread: Pyramid w/ 12k

Hey folks,

Would it make a difference to incorporate the 12k into a honing pyramid?

There are many post that complete the 4/8k pyramid and polish with the 12k:

4k ..... 8k ...12k
3 ..... 3
1 ..... 3
1 ..... 5
..... ..... ..... 5

...but would the following work as well:

4k ..... 8k ...12k
3 ..... 3
1 ..... 3 ..... 3
1 ..... 5 ..... 5

...or does it not really make a difference when you get into a fine polishing grit?

Thanks!

Mike

Mike,

Not directly as you have described.

After the initial 4/8 Norton pyramid, I have used an 8/12 Norton/Naniwa pyramid, and all was OK.

Since switching to all Nainwas, I don't do this now; I might have another go though

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

This is all part of the fun of honing..!

Give it a try, experiment and see how the edges come out. Just always keep in mind that less strokes are better, keep the pressure light and make sure the whole edge makes contact with the hone.

I've been playing around with circles on the high grit stones recently, and I've been getting good results by doing 10-20 circles a side on the 16k Shapton.

Good luck and let us know the results!

Originally Posted by MWS

Hey folks,

Would it make a difference to incorporate the 12k into a honing pyramid?

There are many post that complete the 4/8k pyramid and polish with the 12k:

4k ..... 8k ...12k
3 ..... 3
1 ..... 3
1 ..... 5
..... ..... ..... 5

...but would the following work as well:

4k ..... 8k ...12k
3 ..... 3
1 ..... 3 ..... 3
1 ..... 5 ..... 5

...or does it not really make a difference when you get into a fine polishing grit?

Thanks!

Mike

Hi Mike,
In a perfect world, you should have very little to do once you get your last polishing stone. Honemeisters like Glen take this to extreme and use very few strokes on high grit Shapton. If however, for reasons you feel like edge needs more refinement to make the final edge smoother, while that may indeed be the case, I have been finding out the end shave is not better and in some cases harsher. I don't know what type of conclusuion to make of why since the actual edge was super straight,I suggested it could possibly be the bevel shape itself as a result of the process, but all I really know for sure is what I observed on repeated razors. again, I suspect since why a more qualified honmeister said something to the effet of "diminising returns'. Mike

I don't think there is any reason to pyramid on the 12k unless you are running into problems. As I understand it (and I'll be the first to say I probably have it wrong) the pyamid is there to give more consistant results and to prevent overhoning. If you have your edge as far as your 8k can take you, the Naniwa 12k is remarkably consistant, so that shoud be no issue. You also shouldn't be able to overhone on a 12k unless you are putting on some serious milage, so that should be a non-issue as well. After that, why bother with a pyramid?

I've never tried a pyramid beyond the 4/8 but have thought of it. As previous posters have said, why not give it a try on a half dozen razors and report back on your findings ?

i would not recommend come back from "12" level to 4 k and then back again to 8k,12k.
there is a lot gap and edge thickness differences between 12k and 4k. gl