Thread: What stone do I need?

I was using a Jeweler's loupe to check my razors and noticed some micro-chips on some of their edges. I've been using chromium oxide for touch ups. What stone should I use to get rid of them? The lowest grit stone I have is a 10k naniwa ss but I haven't used it on the razors yet. Should I get the 5K?

I'll give you some advice that has worked well for me regarding this situation, but keep in mind that I am still new to honing, so take it for what it's worth

When I find small microchips ill usually drop down to my 3k naniwa, then the 8k and then a finisher. I really enjoy honing, that's why I kind of like dropping down and retouching my razors.

Depending on how deep the microchips are, you may or may not have to drop down past the 8k, or even the 10k? But like I said, I really enjoy the process and I'm not too worried about excessive hone wear being that I have a lot of vintage blades and I rotate through them all frequently.

Being that all you have is the 10k, I'd say go for it and see if you can eliminate the microchips with that, followed by your strop. I do find that when I strop with paste on a daily basis, I will sometimes get microchips. So I try to only strop with paste once every five days or so

And like I said, I'm also a beginner when it comes to honing and stropping, all I know is what works for me, and I'm sure I do a little overkill when it comes to taking blades to the hones. Honing is just one of those relaxing things to me, I enjoy it almost more than shaving!

Well I used my 10k and 12k naniwa stones on the three blades that have real small micro chips. I did 20 laps on each stone (heel forward and heel forward x strokes). Then 10 light laps on chromium oxide, 50 laps on webbing fabric and 100 laps on leather. Well...the blades are sharper but the micro chips are still there. I'm buying the naniwa 5k and 8k soon, I'll use the 8k first. If that doesn't work I'll drop down to the 5k. I told myself I was going to be an "end-user" but with all of these cool stones I know I'm going to be looking for an excuse to use them! Is this how it starts?

Hi rcavazos,

Getting the micro chips honed out isn't too difficult, providing they are micro and you're basically proficient at honing. If you're getting the 5 & 8k Naniwa's I'd wait and use them. Going down to the 8k will be the same as going down to the 5k, it'll just take longer and more strokes. Whether you're on the 5 or 8k you're going to basically remove the same amount of metal, so it easier to just go to the 5k to start. When the edge is good, then move to the 8k and finish on the 10k or 12k. With all of that said, honing is usually a steeper learning curve than most people think. You might consider sending it out this time and work into honing on a more modest basis. But, if you do decide to take it on, I would definitely use 1 layer of tape on the spine so you don't inadvertently put uneven wear on the spine, because if that happens, then your micro chips become really minor. Here's a link to gssixguns honing videos and he gives good advice on honing, taping, etc. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Hope this helps, and

Regards,
Howard

Edit: "Is This how it starts? ". No, it started just before your first post, you just didn't know it yet!! :

Different strokes for different folks.. If it is light microchipping, I just use my coticle with a thick slurry.. But if it is. Bad I drop down to a 4k.. If it is horrible, I will clean it all off at the 1k and start fresh.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Different strokes for different folks.. If it is light microchipping, I just use my coticle with a thick slurry.. But if it is. Bad I drop down to a 4k.. If it is horrible, I will clean it all off at the 1k and start fresh.

+1 to this. I've come across one or two that were prone to microchipping. Coticules work great, and so do Tam o Shanter's.

I would first try to make the most of what you already have. Try working up a slurry on your 10K and honing with that, about 50 laps. Then gradually dilute the slurry with water, each time performing 50 laps, perhaps 2 dilutions and finishing with plain water. Each dilution would be adding 3-4 drops of water. Check with your loupe frequently.
Give it a try and let us know how it works for you.

Hope this helps,

Good advice all around, some razors are "chippy" as Glen would say, and you just have to take more care and time when honing these...trick is finding the ones that are, and making a mental or physical note so you remember the next time the razor starts to feel the way it does now when shaving; you'll already know what to look and feel for, and have a good idea where to start to correct it. Good luck!