Thread: Choice of honing stones

Thoughts on what will give a better edge:

Belgian coticule followed by chromic Strope versus

Norton 8k then 12k stone

Thanx!

Kevin

IME it would depend on the skill level of the practitioner and the individual's preference for the feel of a shaving edge. You can also throw in the variations found in natural stones. IOW, some cut differently than others. That said, for a learning honer I would recommend the Norton 4/8 until they have mastered the basics of honing and then move to the 12k. The coticule, Escher, other naturals after that. Just IMHO.

To maintain a razor a coticule will work well but if there is heavy work to do such as restoring of an ebay razor I think a 1k stone such as Chosera, Norton, King or Naniwa before the coticule will make life easier. If you like a coticule edge as I do then there is no need for a chromium oxide strop, but that's just personal preference.

I agree with Jimmy, it does depend on your skill level. Ime, most Coticules are not plug and play. There's a bit of learning curve. The Norton's are more "User Friendly" if your just starting out.

If you are going to finish on chromium oxide, I would not spend the money on a nice coticule. I would only buy a coticule if you prefer a coticule shaving edge.

For me it was easier to start with synthetics than naturals. I got better results faster, and the surface was much bigger too. I used my naturals later, and they were much easier to use after learning to hone with synths.

I started on coticules and there is definitely a learning curve to using them. You can get results immediately using the unicot method, but I never wanted to mess with secondary bevels and stuck with the dilucot method.

It took me a long time to become consistent on them. Also, as was mentioned above - being a natural stone they are going to vary a bit in their finishing properties. I've used a ton of coticules and have a couple that will finish every bit as good as my escher. Others I've been through will give a smooth edge, but the keeness will be lacking.

That said, IMO if you are going to be using CrOx or pastes after honing - why spend the money on naturals? I hone on naturals because I want to feel the edge coming directly off the stone.

For what you are considering I think the synthetic route is better.

In terms of edge feel, it is all a YMMV thing. I prefer coticule edges to most everything out there. Some people need a 0.25 micron diamond pasted edge. Some prefer a Shapton 30k, etc.

Any and all of these finishers though will leave you with a shave ready edge. It is all just personal preference beyond the 8K mark.

Originally Posted by Harvitz81

In terms of edge feel, it is all a YMMV thing. I prefer coticule edges to most everything out there. Some people need a 0.25 micron diamond pasted edge. Some prefer a Shapton 30k, etc.

Any and all of these finishers though will leave you with a shave ready edge. It is all just personal preference beyond the 8K mark.

That is the frustrating part. The only way to know which shaving edge you prefer is to try them all. For Haddicts it is part of the trip, but for the average guy, who wants one or two hones, it will be a more daunting task. I mean to try them all. Unless you have access to friends who will either let you use various hones or hone the razor for you on the different hones.

For what will give a better edge, that's a matter of opinion, experience, and personal preference.

For learning to hone, I'd recommend the Norton 4k/8k followed by the 12k of your choice. The Norton is practically the "standard hone" here, and unlike a coticule, most of the Nortons are pretty identical to most of the other Nortons. I say "most" because they've shifted the country of manufacture a couple of times and that seems to have mattered. But if you post questions about your honing, it'll be much easier for people to give helpful answers if your hone and theirs are so similar.

My first hones were a woodworking 1k/6k and a barber's hone and a coticule that had bumped around an old family toolbox for years unappreciated. My first honing success was on a 4k/8k, following exactly the pyramid honing guide posted at our wiki. There's lots of other info on hones and honing there that can help you decide.

Good luck with it all, and welcome to another level of the experience.