Thread: I need a finishing stone Please help

I just can't get my damn str8 to shave right. It has to be the honing. I swear I am going to send it out.

Originally Posted by JulioFundora

MST Müller Water Hone 8x3" Whetstone Natural Sharpening Stone | eBay

Is that any good for a finisher? I need a push in right direction.

IME these are about 6k.

Originally Posted by JulioFundora

I just can't get my damn str8 to shave right. It has to be the honing. I swear I am going to send it out.

This, in my humble opinion is the Right Choice to make! Let me try to explain why I feel this way:

Apparently you are very new to using a straight. The learning curve is HUGE and there are so many variables to learning this ancient art. Things like finding the angles that work for you, getting the lather just right, even finding the soap that provides the best lather for you, the stropping is so very important to maintaining your edge etc!

Honing in my opinion should wait until the shave is at least semi mastered.

By allowing a pro or at least an advanced honer to hone your razors for a while is money well spent as it eliminates one of those variables.

While I hone and get good results and compliments from others, I do have my favorites!! If you'd like a recommendation just send me a PM!

Smooth Shaving my brother in blades!

Originally Posted by JulioFundora

I was sold on the 12k and I came across another forum and them bashing the 12/16k so bad.

Different people like different stones. If you want to know how the finishes work send some razors out and see what you like.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Different people like different stones. If you want to know how the finishes work send some razors out and see what you like.

I've shaved off of one of Stephens edges and have shared that edge with others who hone and they admired his results!

His Counsel is Sound!

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I've shaved off of one of Stephens edges and have shared that edge with others who hone and they admired his results!

His Counsel is Sound!

What is Stephens edge?

Originally Posted by JulioFundora

What is Stephens edge?

I wasn't into honing yet so I didn't think to ask him what he used, I can't even remember what razor it was! All I know is that it shaved Great and the edge lasted a long time before going south!

I do know that his counsel: "Different people like different stones. If you want to know how the finishes work send some razors out and see what you like." Is good sound advice!

When I had Glen make the custom scales for son's Friodur for a Christmas present I also asked that when he honed it to finish it on the Naniwa 12K with no pasted strops, just regular stropping so that I could have a pro's edge to compare mine to! I'm so glad that I did as it was comparable to what I had been able to achieve on the Naniwa 12K and that gave me a great confidence boost!

Just shaved with my blade last night and it was a great time. I am going to pick up a 12k asap.

Maybe a little late to this thread, but here's my take. Synthetic stones give more consistent results than naturals. Natural stones have some variance to them, and it takes it a bit of experience to know when your where you need to be. I use both the Nani 12k, and the Shapton 16k, I've been using them for years, I've never once had a problem with microchipping. That could be any number of things from over honing, to inferior steel. It's not the hone. I have heard of the Naniwa 12k warping.

A good cheap natural stone, if you want to play around, is the Chinese 12k, it's underated imo. It's a good stone, especially when used with slurry. It's a slow cutter so you really can't overhone. They're sold at woodcraft. Here's a link for you. Of course, they vary too....If you have a local woodcraft, it's best to go, and look at the hone, open the box.
Buy Natural Water Stone 8 x 2-3 4 x 1-1 4 at Woodcraft

Stefan aka "Mainaman" is correct. A lot of it is personal preference when it comes to finishers. Some like Escher, Some like Jnats or Coticules, and other's like Synthetics. It takes some time and skill to find your niche.

Originally Posted by JulioFundora

I just can't get my damn str8 to shave right. It has to be the honing. I swear I am going to send it out.

Just my 2 cents, I don't know if you're still having trouble honing on your setup or not, but I kept at it for years on the 8k til I could get a comfortable and consistent edge from that. Finishers won't help much if your edge from the 8k isn't shaveable already.