Thread: Bevel setting

I had to get the Chosera 1K due to all the publicity. I'm still not sold that it is better than the Shapton GS 1K. It does have a different feel to it & that feel may be preferable to some. Both are at the top when it comes to straight razors, but I'm not sure if one edges the other out on the "better" stone. The Shapton GS system is my "go to", but there are times I will use the Naniwa SS's.

If I am using my Chosera 1K, I'll usually follow it with the GS 1K, then progress up the stones. For me, staying within the "system" works best...especially when it comes to the Shaptons. The Naniwa system is about the most forgiving system I know of....

This thread warmed my heart to read

The fact that people are even discussing the differences between 1k bevel setters is great, a mere 2 years ago the answer would have been "Which ever you can buy cheapest"..

They all work they all cut steel but there are subtle differences between them, just like their more expensive brethren at the other end of the spectrum...

The Naniwa ss1k is a good solid choice, it does require a bit more "Cleaning" then the others but not a ton, it's strongest point is the very smooth cutting action it produces on the sides of the bevel...

A couple of years ago the only hone we really new of was Norton, the Belgians and the elusive Escher. The times, they are a changing!

The 1k SS is a good stone, but it does have a couple of little quirks IME. Its a soft stone so it dishes easily, it does load up with swarf pretty quick and it warps slightly as it soaks up water.

None of these things is a problem once you know how to deal with them but I've found I'm going back to my Shaptons more and more because of those issues. I've pretty much stopped using the 1k SS and favour the Chosera 1k before the 3k and 8k SS because the Chosera has all the cutting and smoothness but without the warping, soaking up loads of water or dishing out.

I see you're in the UK? We're fortunate over here that the Chosera 1k is one of the few stones thats cheaper here than abroad! Check this out:

Naniwa Chosera 1000 Sharpening stone | EdenWebshops.co.uk

For another £8 over the 1k SS you can get the Bugatti Veyron of bevel setters which works with any other stone, leaves a killer edge and has none of the little quirks you get with the SS line.

I dont advocate spending money for the sake of it, but this is one of those times when spending that little bit extra will really make a difference!

It also comes with a slurry stone so you can work up a slurry to increase the cutting power if you need to. Its also a huge brick of a stone and will last about 1000 years if you're just doing razors on it!

Originally Posted by Disburden

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I wouldn't set a bevel on a coticule but that's just me. It takes a long time and can be a real patience tester. I love coticules, I have a soft spot for the way they feel when honing on them but I don't want to lie to myself about quicker methods.

I will agree that there are quicker methods; my very first honing was done all on a coticule, from spoon dull to shave ready in six and a half hours, not counting stropping time. I only had the coticule at the time, so I had no other choice, but still was sort of fun in the way things you don't have to do are, and I was very pleased with the outcome.

I have since done it again twice, on different razors, and I got it down to mere three and a half to four hours or so. My new Nortons work great and a lot faster. Fist time out in about 1 1/2 hours - not counting lapping the stones - I had a flea market buy shave ready, but I still like to work a blade on the coti from beginning to end. Actually the more I use it, the more I like it.

The Chosera 1k might seem expensive, but it's worth it's weight in gold! I had an eye-openeing experience a couple weeks ago, when I had to hone 4 straights I sold. Knowing I was sending them out, I took extra good care of setting the bevels, and really made sure they were even and smooth all along the edge. And wouldn't you know it, all 4 came out the best I've ever done, hey I even got the elusive HHT working on all four...(with my hair, YMMV and all that)
Those 4 took my honing to a new level, my results have been consistently good after those.
Uhm, so my point is that the "magic" happens at 1k, a good bevel setter might be the most important stone you got. And worth spending some cash on.
It's main job is to make that $900 finishing stone shine

Oh I forgot to add, when I "got it" when coming to making a decent 1k bevel, I got great results no matter what I used after, Shapton GS, cotis or Jnat.