Thread: Hones and grit sizes, Please Help Me

Hello Everyone.
I enjoy reading all the post here.
I need help with my sharpening technique.
I have a Norton 4k/8K and a Col. Conk razor stone which is mounted on a wood handle. I do not know the grit of this Col Conk stone but I have been told it may be 1200 grit. Are these adequate for my sharpening needs?
I am considering purchasing a fine lithide barber hone or a extra fine (black)arkansas surgical stone, does anyone know what the grit size is for these and do I need them ?
Can anyone explain the proper sequence for using these stones?
I thank you in advance for all advice
Fred

Hello fcohio,

I have read in this forum that the Col. Conk hones are not very good. As to the fine surgical black arkansas, I can tell you from experience that you do not need it if you have the Norton 4k/8k. I have used the surgical black arkansas (for lack of knowledge and anything better to use). It will enable you with difficulty to get an edge that you can shave with, but it certainly isn't optimal. I have not personnally used the Norton 4k/8k, but others on this forum will tell you that it is all you need. Look in the permanent archive for an article on the pyramid technique. Then, keep reading. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience in this forum.

Just my opinion, and only my opinion, and again MY OPINION ONLY!

In order

Surgical Black Arkansas (for your knives) Grit: Don't know 2K?????

Norton 4 (needed) Grit: 4K

Col Conk (not needed) Grit: 5-6K

Norton 8 (needed) Grit:8K

Lithide (may be needed for finish) Grit: 7-9 K ???

I would steer toward something a little smoother than a Lithide as my finishing hone, maybe a Swaty? Something in the 10K class. A fine finishing barber hone maybe. My Lithide seems a little rough, but does finish nicely.

You'll get more comments as I think a Norton alone is pretty nice and my other comments are pretty controversial.

My view so far is that the Norton 4/8K combo is the best choice. I am currently experimenting with the barber finishing hones (the Lithide and Itsapeech) and the natural Belgian Coticule stone. So far, I got no noticable or little improvement. But, trying diferent products is fun anyway. If I had to choose only one hone for my personal use, It'll be the Norton.

Nenad

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Just my opinion, and only my opinion, and again MY OPINION ONLY!

In order

Surgical Black Arkansas (for your knives) Grit: Don't know 2K?????

Norton 4 (needed) Grit: 4K

Col Conk (not needed) Grit: 5-6K

Norton 8 (needed) Grit:8K

Lithide (may be needed for finish) Grit: 7-9 K ???

I would steer toward something a little smoother than a Lithide as my finishing hone, maybe a Swaty? Something in the 10K class. A fine finishing barber hone maybe. My Lithide seems a little rough, but does finish nicely.

You'll get more comments as I think a Norton alone is pretty nice and my other comments are pretty controversial.

I agree with this, but you don't need all those hones. 4K, 8K and Swaty are all you need.

Joe, what grit would you say that a swaty is? It does feel like a very fine stone, but my fingers can't tell the difference between 4k and 10k

Fred, it's good to see another Fred in the group! Welcome to the SRP.

-Fred (the other one)

Hi Fred. The Norton combination stone is such an outstanding tool that it cannot be undervalued for our purposes. It is a priority if you're not going for a 4 sided paddle with lots of paste and maybe even if you are.

I suggest something else to finish with. I bet the Lithide is a great option. Then again a 2 sided paddle with 0.5 micron paste has been very good for me on occasion. I just got a Belgian Coticule bout and the word is that this is the best finisher. I can't wait to find out. Finishing, as you can see, depends on the user and the razor. Luckily there's lots of options. Start with one and branch out from there.

X

Originally Posted by eagle

Hello fcohio,

I have read in this forum that the Col. Conk hones are not very good. As to the fine surgical black arkansas, I can tell you from experience that you do not need it if you have the Norton 4k/8k. I have used the surgical black arkansas (for lack of knowledge and anything better to use). It will enable you with difficulty to get an edge that you can shave with, but it certainly isn't optimal. I have not personnally used the Norton 4k/8k, but others on this forum will tell you that it is all you need. Look in the permanent archive for an article on the pyramid technique. Then, keep reading. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience in this forum.

Thanks again for all replies ,I located the Pyramid Technique in the archives and used this technique(shaveable blade) with the Norton 4k/8k. I only used a before and after shave comparision test (no HHT). My razor shaved much smoother and quicker with less pulling I am going to repeat the technique for a shaveable blade and shave test again .
The Pyramid technique really works good.
Thanks Fred

I just use a coticule and that works for me. For some things I use my knife sharpening stone just to create a bit of a bevel. But that's enough for me.

Originally Posted by xman

Hi Fred. The Norton combination stone is such an outstanding tool that it cannot be undervalued for our purposes.

X

Uhmmmm X, I don't think it's SO bad that it can'd be undervalued Sorry, I couldn't resist