Thread: finishing hone?

Hi guys, i am wanting to get a good finishing hone. I have water stones up to a J Nat 10k, but would like something in the 12-16k range. I am not wanting to spend $500, but still want a decent stone, any suggestions?

I'm sure what you have is plenty i carn't se anything else making much differance..If you want to try somthing differant how about 12k naniwa

Welcome to SRP. I'm with Gary on the 12k naniwa. The 16k shapton glass stone is also in the same price range and is a proven stone that a lot of guys like.

I've only ever used a Norton 4/8 and a Shapton 16k, so I don't have a lot of experience with different hones, but I really like the Shapton 16k. It's easy to use (no soaking) and fast. Normally only ten laps and I'm done, 20 for my Swedish razors with the harder steel...

<------ Confused

You have a Japanese Natural water stone that is 10k ????

Hi Mike,

Welcome to SRP!!

What other stones are you using beside the Jnat? If they're good stones/hones and if the Jnat is a good stone and your not getting a good shaving edge, a higher grit finisher is probably not going to help.

If your getting good edges and want that little extra, then as stated above, the 16k Shapton is an excellent choice. But, it or any of the others are not going to put an impressive edge on an already lacking edge.

Good Luck!!! And if you haven't read through our wiki, etc. there's lots of good info there. Link below.

Best Regards,
Howard.

I read it as, -- he has water stones that lead up to his highest grit stone, a JNat 10K. --

Sorry, i should have been more informative about what i have. I have a Shapton 320, a bester 500, beston 1200, a king 800/6k combo, a shapton 5k and a 10k jnat. I am using a homemade strop that is clean with no compounds, cowhide. I know it is not optimal, just what i have right now lol

Assuming you are correct that the j-nat is 10k it seems like to me that the 16k glass stone would be the one. The 12k naniwa would probably be real close to what you already have. OTOH maybe some chrom-ox and/or diamond spray or paste on a separate surface. Some dedicated leather, felt or balsa for a bench strop is another alternative.

I have some balsa i bought with the intention of making a green chrome strop. I also have 1 micron diamond, but i was told that might be too rough. I will make a few more strop pieces and test out some different sprays and powders. Up to this point, i send them to Tim Zowada for honing, and keep them as best as i can from stropping, but i think i will try the 10k and strop it from there and see. Thanks for all of the responses, i greatly appreciate it.