Thread: Long Jump??

it is a large leap and probably loads to say on the matter but in a nutshell…Can i jump from 3k to 12k finish?
ie 1k+3k nani combo to Chinese 12k? because this is what i'm thinking of buying.
ps i'm a newbrit but already learned heaps from you guys. Thankyou

You can BUT
It will take a while to polish out 3k scratch with a 12k.

A new honer should have at least one intermediate step. JMO

I would get an 8k to manage the jump.

ye you're probably right. i'm on a real tight budget and probably trying to get too far too soon. don't mind putting the extra work in though. i have however got a shave from a fairly poor 1k-4k stone followed by quite a bit of work on a welsh slate. close shave but pulls quite a bit. thanks for the swift reply btw

I'm with Dave. I know Glen and Lynn did a thing with 1K and finish. There is a thread on it, I believe it is called one stone honing. When I get to that kind of a skill level I will be able to do magic too. In the mean time for those of us with intermediate or beginning skill sets the middle stones make life easier. I go 1K, 4K, 8K, then finisher. Some even put a 12K before the finisher.

Doh! gonna have to wait a while then. or send it out for a sharpen perhaps. many thanks

When you factor in the cost of hones and the time consumed by learning to hone it is far cheaper to send your blades out. There are many member here that just do a little touch up and then send their razors out ever now and again. There are enough guys that hone, that most people are a few days post from the nearest pro.

if you have the welsh slate that COULD be used as your finisher, depending on which one. i know some guys really like them and some dont, there are a lot of threads about them. the issue with natural stones is that they all differ and grit ratings seem to be a bit subjective, its probably worth giving what you already have a go before committing to a 12k as well.
Also it is worth seeing if there are any members in your area who have a bit of honing experience who would be prepared to meet up with you as that willl speed up your learning and also may provide an opportunity to try some stones out.

If your goal is to maintain your already shave-ready blade(s), stick with the 12k, if you really want to go down the rabbit hole with honing and stones, get a tried and true progression of stones. You have the 1k, as others have said, you will need at least 2 more intermediate grits. When I first started honing, I had taken edges that were maybe a little too far gone for a simple refresh on the 12k all the way down to the 1k, then up the grits, and never achieved a shave-ready edge... It opens Pandora's box... If you can make due with the 12k for now, wait until you can get the proper setup before you go down that road. It's ultimately worth it to know you can do it all yourself, but you'll be glad that you have all the right tools when you start.