Thread: pyramid honing

After watching Lynn's video demonstrating the 4K/8K pyramid system of honing. I was wondering if that honing principle applies to 8K/12K? In other words, will that pyramid also be effective when moving up to higher grits?
Thanks,
John

Valid question. I don't know the answer so I'm going to hang out and hear the results come in. My initial thought on it is, no. Most of the time the 12k stone has very little work to do, only 10 or 15 xstrokes in most cases. A pyramid seems like overkill.

That depends on what 12k range hone you would use. A phig would need a lot more passes than one of the nicer synthetic hones. A fast 12k would need as little as 5 while a phig may need 100.

Jonathan

Originally Posted by Datsots

That depends on what 12k range hone you would use. A phig would need a lot more passes than one of the nicer synthetic hones. A fast 12k would need as little as 5 while a phig may need 100.

Jonathan

I have a nainiwa 12k
I'm not sure where that falls into your answer
Thanks
John

I don't have a Nainiwa or a Shapton glass stones but both have a reputation for speed. The Shapton's are likely the faster of those two.

I recommend that you try 5 passes then shave test, repeat as necessary. Once you get a handle on the Nainiwa you can better estimate the minimum number of passes. The number of passes will vary due to a number of factors; pressure, speed, steel, quality of the previous hone.

Jonathan

AFAIK, once the pyramid is finished on the 4/8, or the equivalent, the higher grit finisher ..... or progressive finishers will be stand alone hones. I didn't write the book or make the movie though so YMMV.

Originally Posted by jmac123

I have a nainiwa 12k
I'm not sure where that falls into your answer
Thanks
John

I do not use the pyramid method but my Naniwa 12k has been 20 passes on one razor (A.J. Henckles) and 25-30 passes on another (Boker red injun). The feel on the finishing hones change (well it does on all of them but they do not feel the same as previous grits) after the change in feel is consistent across the blade I have been giving 5 or so extra passes.
Mind you I am new to honing razors, I have been honing tools for a long time though, and as I was speaking with a respected member earlier the stone and steel talk you are just the means.
Pat