Newbie honing

[murchmb]

I've been wanting to get into honing. My budget is tight, but I have the opportunity to get some hones through through my neighbor, who is a part time knife dealer. I was thinking

Norton 4K/8K
DMT D6C or D8C for lapping
Spyderco Ultrafine Benchstone (if his distributor carries it)

Is the D6C usable for lapping a Norton, or do I really need the D8C at twice the price? Would the Spyderco UF work well as a finishing hone? I don't have a pasted strop. Are there any other DMT or Norton products I should consider?

 

[izlat]

You can also lap the N4k/8k with sandpaper and a plate so you don't have to have the DMT.

Having said this - I do use a DMT 600/1200 for lapping anything (even though it's not as easy as the lower grit DMT) and for taking out chips, etc.

I haven't tried the Spyderco (I am partial to natural hones)

You don't really need a pasted strop - but it does bring something extra. You can just glue leather on a tile and use the pastes of your choice for a cheap set-up. Otherwise Tony Miller and Handamerican both have options

Good luck
Ivo