Maybe, perhaps I finally figured out honing

[Brodirt]

I have a japanese 1k/6k and a Chinese 12k as a cheap honing setup. I have been getting passable but rough shaves off the combo on my DA, Wapi and Dovo.

Last week I read a post here recommending that since the Chinese 12k is such a slow cutter 10x the passes are appropriate.

So yesterday I sat down to 400 passes per razor and went took a shave.

This made a very big difference. Whereas in the past I have had trouble with XTG passes this time was completely different. I got a nick and irritation free DFS with only 2 passes.

Do other Chinese 12k users take so many passes to achieve good results?

 

[richmondesi]

I have a japanese 1k/6k and a Chinese 12k as a cheap honing setup. I have been getting passable but rough shaves off the combo on my DA, Wapi and Dovo.

Last week I read a post here recommending that since the Chinese 12k is such a slow cutter 10x the passes are appropriate.

So yesterday I sat down to 400 passes per razor and went took a shave.

This made a very big difference. Whereas in the past I have had trouble with XTG passes this time was completely different. I got a nick and irritation free DFS with only 2 passes.

Do other Chinese 12k users take so many passes to achieve good results?

Yeah, that's listed as one of the con's of the Chinese 12K by Joel in his guide to honing. It is a very slow cutting process.

 

[leighton]

I am actually very surprised your able to get decent shaves off of that setup. 6k is too low to shave off of and jumping from a 6k to a 12k is too much IMHO. However, it obviously works so I'm happy for you.

But yes, the 12k is a slow slow cutter and you need a lot more strokes. In fact, with that setup I recommend 100-200 laps. Yes, I am serious.

 

[Brodirt]

I am actually very surprised your able to get decent shaves off of that setup. 6k is too low to shave off of and jumping from a 6k to a 12k is too much IMHO. However, it obviously works so I'm happy for you.

But yes, the 12k is a slow slow cutter and you need a lot more strokes. In fact, with that setup I recommend 100-200 laps. Yes, I am serious.

I thought too Leighton that I need something in between, but I am a neophyte at this so am confused as to both the best solution for a stone in between and the true grit (!) of the 6k Japanese stone. I have read varying statements of it being anywhere for 4k to 10k.

I am contemplating a Naniwa ss 10k or Shapton 10k...would that be an ideal in between stone?

 

[Brodirt]

I am actually very surprised your able to get decent shaves off of that setup. 6k is too low to shave off of and jumping from a 6k to a 12k is too much IMHO. However, it obviously works so I'm happy for you.

But yes, the 12k is a slow slow cutter and you need a lot more strokes. In fact, with that setup I recommend 100-200 laps. Yes, I am serious.

I thought too, Leighton, that I need something in between, but I am a neophyte at this so am confused as to both the best solution for a stone in between and the true grit (!) of the 6k Japanese stone. I have read varying statements of it being anywhere for 4k to 10k.

I am contemplating a Naniwa ss 10k or Shapton 10k...would that be an ideal in between stone?

 

[SavantStrike]

I am actually very surprised your able to get decent shaves off of that setup. 6k is too low to shave off of and jumping from a 6k to a 12k is too much IMHO. However, it obviously works so I'm happy for you.

But yes, the 12k is a slow slow cutter and you need a lot more strokes. In fact, with that setup I recommend 100-200 laps. Yes, I am serious.

I'm coming off of 8k and I do 100 laps on the C12k.

 

[leighton]

I thought too, Leighton, that I need something in between, but I am a neophyte at this so am confused as to both the best solution for a stone in between and the true grit (!) of the 6k Japanese stone. I have read varying statements of it being anywhere for 4k to 10k.

I am contemplating a Naniwa ss 10k or Shapton 10k...would that be an ideal in between stone?

Thats the biggest reason I do not like natural stones. Too many variables.

I probably have mild OCD, so what I would do is to get an 8k nani and then finish off the chinese stone. Or better yet, an 8k nani and a 16k shapton. Or crox if I were poor.

 

[cityjim]

what works for me is my Spiderco Ultra fine 3" wide hone and a touch up on the Shapton 30K . Mostly the Shapton 30K though . Maybe every three honing sessions I use the Spyderco with it . Just to freshen it up a bit .

And remember grit sizes in American and Japanese are not the same . Not even close . Micron size seem to level the playing field . So guys working with American stones then jumping to Japanese/Chinese stones and having issues ......... that is your problem .

There are numerous videos where the guy states that shaving with even a 4K stone is more than ok .

cityjim