another chinese 12k hone question..

[crw]

any idea what the actual grit size approximates to on these things?

it would seem, logically, to me that it would be somewhere in the 1.5µ-1µ range..

ideas? opinions?

 

[holli4pirating]

I don't think you can determine the grit size on a natural hone, but even if you could, I don't think it's necessairly an indicator of the type of edge the hone will leave. You also have to consider the shape and hardness of the abrasives, and the way the abrasives are exposed in the stone's matrix structure. I go only by the way a razor shaves of a natural hone, and my C12k gives a very sharp edge that gives me a great shave. Definitely sharper than off my coticule.

 

[crw]

thanks, holli!
that's a great bit of information.

by the way, I'll be going to that from a 4k king stone..I know it'll take longer (possibly quite a bit longer) than if I was coming from an 8k, but it is feasible, yeah?

 

[holli4pirating]

4k to 12k is a massive jump, especially with something as slow as the C12k. I would really recommend you get something for inbetween. Spend some money, save a lot of time.

In theory, you can set a bevel on a C12k... but it might take a few years.

 

[crw]

yeah..at the moment I have more time than money..haha.
I believe I have some 2.5µ and 1.5µ diamond paste that I could use on a balsa strop to go between the King 4k and the C12k..or I may have to pick up an 8K next time I've got an extra bit of cash..

does anyone know if the King and Naniwa (both being, I presume, Japanese) use the same ('new JIS') standard grit rating?

thanks for the input!

 

[holli4pirating]

I'd guess the grit rating is the same, but I find Nani's cut much shallower than most other hones. That said, I can't do a direct comparison King vs Nani because I don't have the same grit of each (King 1k, Nani 5 and 8k). I've never had a problem hopping between hone manufacturers, but I know it gives some people difficulty.

 

[SliceOfLife]

King 4k is 8k relative to the China stone. It's a fast and nice finishing 8k in fact. There's not much that I'd bother putting between them. Maybe a king 6k (though I've got no experience with that stone). I guess you could stick a barber hone like a swaty in there too or maybe a Naniwa 8k (do they make those?). Basically as close as you can get to the China stones grit the better, as it's a very slow stone for how fine it finishes. (My Jnat is slower, but is also 2x as fine or better... it polishes the scratch-marks the China stone leaves... kinda funny to watch the progression under a scope. If I had a camera, I'd do a stop motion show of it.)