My Norton 4k/8k combo just keeps getting better

I have been restoring and honing my own razors for a few months now and have what I would consider success at honing. I was thinking about getting a finishing hone since I was getting the most out of my Norton 4k/8k combo.

I was wrong. Last night I had to hone my Shumate Barber since it was pulling and causing a lot of irritation the last time I used it. It was zen like as I honed. Nice, easy, smooth strokes. It was popping arm hairs like I have never experienced before. I knew as soon as I started my test shave that I had just given my razor a smooth edge that just mowed throw my beard. My WTG pass was better than a WTG and XTG. So after I was done with all three passes I did the dreaded Clubman Pinuad test and the razor passed with flying colors. No tears as I splashed it on my face!!

Now I just have to get all my other razors to this level and then I will think about a finishing stone.

Thanks guys for all the information that helped me get to this point.

Well if you get a great edge off the 8k just imagine what it will be with a good finishing stone, what do you have in mind for a finisher?

It looks to me like you have earned that finishing stone. Most get there too early.

Martin, I am thinking I would like to try a natural for a finisher if it is one is going to be a good match after a Norton. I have not done much in depth research as of yet and any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I was kind of leaning towards a hard arkansas since I have used arkansas on my hunting knives for many years now with great success so why not continue that with my razors.

Thanks ace. I was really trying to make sure that I was getting the best out of the hone I have before complicating things. Maybe I can convince SWMBO that a finisher would make a great Christmas gift. It would be for her as well since I am in charge of shaving her legs when they need it.:)

I can see it sitting under the tree already. Just tell her it was recommended by Cosmopolitan.

[QUOTE=McBrautigam;889634]Martin, I am thinking I would like to try a natural for a finisher if it is one is going to be a good match after a Norton. I have not done much in depth research as of yet and any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I was kind of leaning towards a hard arkansas since I have used arkansas on my hunting knives for many years now with great success so why not continue that with my razors.

Well if you allready have a hard Arkansas give it a go!!! I have a few arkansas for woodworking and knifes hard, soft, translucent,
surgical black, and honestly didnt have much luck with them, that said doesnt mean you wont! There are a few on here that use
arkansas with success. Suggestions well i had great edges from my PHIG or chinese 12k they are inexpensive and i feel user friendly since its a slow cutter and fairly large size, if you like your edges at 8k you would definately like the PHIG.
If you do go to an Arkansas do some research here and probably talk with some of them who had good luck with them.
I would love nothing more if the Arkies would gives wicked edges since they are from here but for me so far it wasnt the case.
Keep us posted!!!!!

Unfortunately my arkansas' are only 1"x3" so they are too small for me to be comfortable honing with. It is a labor of love and patience when I put my knives to them.

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Originally Posted by ace

It looks to me like you have earned that finishing stone. Most get there too early.

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And many don't know when to stop!

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Originally Posted by hoglahoo

And many don't know when to stop!

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Do you mean that some keep getting more and more stones like its a sickness?

Although I'm still learning it, I'm really happy with the edges I'm getting of my vintage Thuringian - but I'm happy with the edges off my coticle as well.
Try a few different ones and see how you go - there should be someone in your area that has different finishers and may let you try them