Thread: New Article - Hone Comparison Table

Here's what I propose:
Let's first gather all the data.
I have build a simple Excel-sheet, with a crude, self-adjusting diagram.
People can use it to rate the hones they're familiar with, on 4 scales:
1. START OF WORK-RANGE.
At which point is the hone in question capable enough to do something beneficial for an edge within a reasonable time-frame. The zero-level points to a razor that has NO bevel. In my book a DMT 325 starts at zero level. Level 15 is the theoretical maximum of ulterior keenness.
2. SMOOTHNESS
How fine is the scratch pattern left by the hone. This aims more to the smoothness of the cut, than to visual brilliance.
3. END OF WORK-RANGE.
At which level of keenness does the hone stop to improve the edge (whether it maxes out or starts overhoning)
4. SPEED
How fast does the hone abrade steel, relative to other hones that work in the same range.
I have already placed a few common hones on the map, for the sake of calibrating the scales. The other slots should be filled with data, relative to those values.
Please note that hones that are able to follow each other in a progression need to have some overlap in their work-range.
I propose that as much people as possible, who have some self-confidence in honing, download the sheet and make the effort of contributing their estimated values.
Enter numeric data about the hones you're familiar with and tweak their figures till you're happy with the diagram.
Use multiple sheets if you have more hones to rate. Next, e-mail each sheet as a separate file to a central person that collects the sheets. Maybe Kristopher can be that person. (Choose "save as" in Excel and rename the sheet with your SRP-name and a number for each new sheet you wish to fill out). The central scrutinizer needs to paste the results into one big sheet and make Excel calculate an average for each hone. I will build a large 3D "razor"-diagram from those results.
Please feel free to comment. I am sure my excel sheet has a large margin for improvement. If someone with more Excel-lence could come forward and tweak my modest efforts, I would be very grateful.
We should also reach agreement on the "calibration" data for the DMT-E and the Norton 4K/8K that I have entered in the sheet, before we can really start collection data.

See the attached ZIP-file, hope this works.

Best regards,
Bart.