Thread: The C-Nat-athon

The C-Nat-athon is here ladies and gentlemen, so it's time to grab your C-nat, PHIG, Chinese 12k, Guangxi stone or whatever you like to call it and record your results as a contest here. Since it is a natural stone it will be interesting seeing what everyone's is like as they all differ just as any natural. This should be pretty fun so join in.

Rules:

1. You must have a C-nat/PHIG
2. Start with a dull edge
3. You may use any type of bevel setter you wish
4. If you can, I would like everyone to use a Norton 4k/8k. If you don't have one you may use any type of progression you like as long as you document the stones used and finish with a C-nat/PHIG
5. Post your results starting with your progression and method beginning to end
6. Post a picture of your stone (if you can)

So if you want to join the contest, just say "I'm in"!

I've got one but I have no idea how to use it...so I'm very happy to read what everyone has to say.

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

I've got one but I have no idea how to use it...so I'm very happy to read what everyone has to say.

That's why I thought this would be a good idea, because like the Janorton thread this is another stone most people are likely to have and start out with. So join in people!

Don't you think it would be a good idea to standardize the pre-c12k progression? That way everyone's results are truly comparable?

Originally Posted by myersn024

Don't you think it would be a good idea to standardize the pre-c12k progression? That way everyone's results are truly comparable?

Yes I thought of that, I was going to make one of the rules being you had to use a Norton 4k/8k as the progression towards the C-nat but I figured less people would join.

I'm in. I've got three identical razors in need of honing.

I would love to join I need to figure out how to use the c12k and not be scared of it

Thanks for starting this thread. Prefect timing. I was planning to pick up a cnat this week thus giving me a limited number of grits but maybe I will see some great ideas here to get the job done with what I have.

Razor: Mulcuto Gold 4/8.Edge properly killed.
Hones: King 800/4000, Pike Swaty, PHIG
Progression: 20 circles and 20 x-strokes on the 800.
Pyramid between the 4000 and the Swaty(20-20,15-15,10-10,5-5)
Another 10 light laps on the Swaty
100 laps on the PHIG with water only
50 laps on poly web
100 laps on latigo leather
Result:I figured that many of the other participants would use a more straight forward progression,i.e. Norton 1-4-8. I decided to use the set up I used when I was saving up for my 8k stone. The Swaty performs admirably in place of the 8k, especially using it in a pyramid with the 4k. My PHIG doesn't work as well with slurry as it does with water alone. 100 feather light laps later and the edge was smooth and as sharp as i've ever had his razor. The shave was outstanding.

Razor: The Torrey Razor (My favorite)
Honing Progression: King 1k, Norton 4k/8k, C-Nat
Method: Bevel setting with the 40 circles, X strokes with heel leading on Norton 4k/8k then the same with the C-nat ending when I feel a slight sticky feedback and finishing with no pressure other than the weight of the blade.

I have found that polishing the surface of my C-nat made it much smoother. It works best with slurry and leaves a finer finish when finishing with a light slurry as apposed to ending with just water. Mine is a really high end finisher and leaves a scratch pattern close to a 15k stone under magnification. It works best to score the surface with 1k grit sand paper then use my slurry stone to create slurry and polishes the surface. When the razor was getting close to where the edge is complete I got an almost suction like feeling. When honing on this stone it feels silky and very smooth. The shave was great, very comfortable and no irritation.