First Rock, what to get

[daverojo77]

I want to get a dedicated rock for hone my straights. I'm new to straights I got 3 so far 2 from WD and the third in an antique shop.I plan to practice on the third one.

I got the strop and Balsa strop from Larry but want a hone because I feel like this something I can learn. What type of stone is the best to start out with?

 

[Gamma]

Can't go wrong there.

Another option - 1k King, 3/8k Naniwa Super Stone - I find the SS to be more to my liking but either will work.

Or a Coti and a 1k King - if you'd like to try a natural stone.

There is no 'best' until you find your 'thing' with honing.

Pick one - start learning, figure it out as you go.


One thing - I never liked shaving off an 8k stone very much, esp the Norton.

But you have Crox already - that's what I used to carry the edge a bit further originally -- it works, but you may find yourself looking for another stone after the 8k soon enough.

 

[smalltank]

King 1k
DMT1200 super fine for bevel setting
Japanese 1k natural stone for bevel setting http://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/JNS-1000-Matukusuyama-p/119.htm
thesuperiorshave.com...coticules there

Hope these help!

 

[Gamma]

I think the Matukusuyama 1K is a synthetic stone, not a natural.

 

[Obiwan]

+1

 

[jpcwon]

I learned on a Norton 4/8 before moving to naturals, so I say +1 on the Norton....Its a great stone to learn on, and will get you most of the way there, although like Gamma said you may still want something to finish on....

 

[noahpictures]

A dedicated bevel setter such as DMT 1200 or King 1k and a coticule.

 

[Lomez]

For my 1st set, I bought a 5inch coticule and a set of film.

The film is pretty easy to get a shave ready edge, tho I still have much to learn to get a maxed out and comfy shave. The good thing about the film is, you just move right on to the next one until done. No soaking, no lapping, just drying.

The coticule caught my attention bc of its ability to change grits by use of slurry, no soak needed, and seldom need for lapping. BUT, it also has me glad I have left over DE razors and the film set... bc if I was relying only on the coti, i'd prob have a beard by now. I may keep it... probably not though.

I really liked the idea of starting with the Norton, as so many ppl did. There is a wealth of info about it, and I think in a way- maybe I should have shaved off the 8k before getting what all the cool kids are using. But it's hard to talk myself into an 80$ 4/8, a 50$ DMT325, and then having to soak something. But thats just me..

I look fwd to seeing what you end up!

PS, The Superior Shave just got some new 5in cotis in.

 

[jeness]

If budget isn't tight, than I would get this: 1k Naniwa Chosera, 3k/8k Naniwa SS, 12k Naniwa SS, 325DMT. Happyness guaranteed.

If you want to keep it tight: 4k/8k Norton, Chinese 12k, and some 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper, and a flat surface for lapping, maybe a 1k King if you can get it cheap.

 

[daverojo77]

what about this set?
http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Naniwa-Japanese-Combination-Waterstone-Set-P324C97.aspx

 

[Proinsias]

The 120 grit is pretty much redundant for straight razor use and you're going to want something a good bit finer than the 3K to shave from.

For maintaining the razors you got from Larry alongside the chromium oxide anything around 8k or above should do. The antique shop razor, who knows, most antique shop finds I've come across need a visit to something around 1K.

For a budget suggestion I find my King 1K/6K takes care of most sad looking razors and gets them to a near shave ready state. 6K>Chromium oxide will shave ok but is not ideal, a cheap natural finisher like a Chinese 12k, purple Welsh stone or a small coticule makes the world a nicer place.

 

[daverojo77]

After watching some video and reading the post here and reviews on product I think I'm ordering a King 1000k and a coticule!.

 

[Proinsias]

Sounds good, probably worth investing in a little slurry stone for the coticule while you're at it.

 

[Relentless]

Coticules are fun, but they can be obtuse while you're learning the personality of the piece you have. Take your time.
I've been using mine for a couple of months now and I still end up going from diluted slurry to CrOx on balsa, and back to water to polish. Even doing a unicot it's tricky to get the last bit of sharpness I need for a comfortable shave.

I ultimately want to be shave ready off the coti but it's not there yet.

 

[jpcwon]

After watching some video and reading the post here and reviews on product I think I'm ordering a King 1000k and a coticule!.

Sounds like a plan! Just remember that there is a bit of a learning curve associated with coticules, so like Relentless said be patient & try experimenting with different techniques; you'll find one that works for you....Learning cotis is a fun process though, so enjoy it!!

 

[memnochlv]

And of course, don't forget, the easy entry point is using lapping film! Much smaller learning curve and pretty cheap start up costs!

 

[daverojo77]

Don't know much about lapping film, is that where I start off on sandpaper then end up on the cotis?

Where do you buy that stuff?

 

[memnochlv]

The thread covers it really well, but film isn't sandpaper, but similar. It's a sheet of film paper (that clings when it's wet) that has an abrasive surface. Aluminum Oxide seems to be the best deal (whereas the Diamond may sound better, but is maybe a little more than twice the cost and wears a bit slower, but in the long run, not as cheap, plus a lot don't seem to like the feel of the razor's edge after the diamond). You would put that on a flat moist surface (the film paper will cling to) like a marble or granite slab and use that to hone. The thread covers setting a bevel on a DMT Extra Fine (1.2k grade) then progressing to film. Stropping on a cotton strop with a diamond slurry was mentioned, then regular cloth stropping followed by leather.

Thorlabs (http://thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1350) has Alox lapping film. Here is a flat granite slab on sale: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2004864/7535/granite-surface-plate-9-x-12-x-2-a-grade.aspx (Flat to .0001 according to item site). DMT for bevel setting here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H5C5M/ <- that's a good price, especially with the free shipping. This belt was mentioned for putting diamond slurry on: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FOR1AM/. You can pick up a 30x/60x jewler's loupe here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MD28HY/, decent price w/ free shipping, but ships overseas so won't get it immediately.

All in all, 2 pieces of lapping film at about $14/each shipped is a lil over $30, the granite slab $24.95 + shipping, dmt bevel setter $50-ish isn't bad. The film from thorlabs comes in packs of 10 sheets you can cut into 3 strips, and it will last ages. You could forgo the granite slab and find something for $5ish from a home depot (ask for a small piece of marble cut) or glass cut the same size for cheap. You could forgo the DMT for bevel setting and set it using film, though some recommend against it (others do not).

 

[daverojo77]

The thread covers it really well, but film isn't sandpaper, but similar. It's a sheet of film paper (that clings when it's wet) that has an abrasive surface. Aluminum Oxide seems to be the best deal (whereas the Diamond may sound better, but is maybe a little more than twice the cost and wears a bit slower, but in the long run, not as cheap, plus a lot don't seem to like the feel of the razor's edge after the diamond). You would put that on a flat moist surface (the film paper will cling to) like a marble or granite slab and use that to hone. The thread covers setting a bevel on a DMT Extra Fine (1.2k grade) then progressing to film. Stropping on a cotton strop with a diamond slurry was mentioned, then regular cloth stropping followed by leather.

Thorlabs (http://thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1350) has Alox lapping film. Here is a flat granite slab on sale: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2004864/7535/granite-surface-plate-9-x-12-x-2-a-grade.aspx (Flat to .0001 according to item site). DMT for bevel setting here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H5C5M/ <- that's a good price, especially with the free shipping. This belt was mentioned for putting diamond slurry on: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FOR1AM/. You can pick up a 30x/60x jewler's loupe here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MD28HY/, decent price w/ free shipping, but ships overseas so won't get it immediately.

All in all, 2 pieces of lapping film at about $14/each shipped is a lil over $30, the granite slab $24.95 + shipping, dmt bevel setter $50-ish isn't bad. The film from thorlabs comes in packs of 10 sheets you can cut into 3 strips, and it will last ages. You could forgo the granite slab and find something for $5ish from a home depot (ask for a small piece of marble cut) or glass cut the same size for cheap. You could forgo the DMT for bevel setting and set it using film, though some recommend against it (others do not).

This is great info thanks I'm reading through the thread now. So far I'm reading how they used 12u film to set bevel. I think I'm getting the DMT only because I can use it for my kitchen knives as well.

 

[memnochlv]

This is great info thanks I'm reading through the thread now. So far I'm reading how they used 12u film to set bevel. I think I'm getting the DMT only because I can use it for my kitchen knives as well.

Yeah, I received my 1.2k DMT from Amazon today, can't wait to break it in. It isn't terribly expensive, it should last for ages, never needs lapping, and really is a good value. Unless you've got some funky scary restore with bad chips of metal taken out of the edge, the 1.2k ought to be fine. If you have one of the aforementioned, a 600 would probably be my choice (though some even go as low as 325, but that course and amount of metal removed scares me, hell, 600 leaves me a bit uncomfortable).