Thread: Waterstone stone progression

Hi guys,

I've just decided to make the leap from sharpening tools to sharpening razors.

I own Sigma Power 120, 240 and 400 grit stones, King 1000 and 6000 grit, and Naniwa SS 10,000 grit stones.

I like these stones and have used them a lot.

With these stones I can achieve an extremely sharp woodworking edge, that will pass whatever sharpness test woodworkers use (popping hair, shaving end-grain soft pine, catching on a thumb nail etc). However, I'm quickly realising that does not translate to straight razor sharpness.

My first concern is the jump from the 1000 to 6000 grit stone. In woodworking that's fine, because proper technique and water management raises and progressively breaks down an abrasive slurry on the 1000 grit, leading to a higher quality scratch pattern than the grit designation might suggest.

However, raising a slurry depends upon using mild pressure and lower amounts of water. From what I can see here, straight razor honing involves no pressure at all, and lots of water (far more than I would use with tools, for most stones).

I realise that a progression from 1000 to 6000 will not work with most synthetic stones, e.g. the Naniwas.

I would finish with the 10,000 grit Naniwa and then maybe a pasted strop. For woodworking I use a chromium oxide smeared horsehide paddle.

Has anyone used this progression with King stones?