Guys, I love the size of barber hones, something that fits right in my palm and I was wondering what is the smallest size hone you can get away with yet still get my St8 scary sharp? I know it means X patterns and such, and yes this is because even if I had a bigger hone I would find a way to make it smaller.
Smallest Hones?
- Thread starter Arkwell
- Start date
I also prefer narrow hones and, in fact, I had my 3" hones cut in half. Lengthwise, the ideal hone would be a minimum 4" to a maximum of 6" long.
Im real happy with my BBW/Coti, which is 30mm x 100mm. 1" x 4"
Do have one slightly smaller.
+Simon
Do have one slightly smaller.
+Simon
I would say that a 1" wide is as narrow as I would go, and still feel like I have control. I've used as little as 0.6" wide.
I have a 1" x 5" coticule & it's great.
Narrow hones is the way to go for straights IMHO.
You can get away with a pretty short stone also, if you do more of a sidestroke then forward stroke.
Using that method also pretty much eliminates the risk for micro-chipping.
I can get a great edge on any kitchen knife using a small dual 600/1200 grit pocket diamond hone. It's only 1" x 2" inches
Narrow hones is the way to go for straights IMHO.
You can get away with a pretty short stone also, if you do more of a sidestroke then forward stroke.
Using that method also pretty much eliminates the risk for micro-chipping.
I can get a great edge on any kitchen knife using a small dual 600/1200 grit pocket diamond hone. It's only 1" x 2" inches
I tried a MST Thuringian at 1x4", and found it too small to make an even, steady stroke with. That's just me though, some guys have great success with tiny hones. My preferred width is minimum 40 mm (1.5"). For me, the most important factor is length. I prefer something closer to 7" length just so I don't loose whatever slurry I'm using off the ends.
40x40mm coti and 30x75mm surgical black arkansas are the smallest finishing stones I've used. I used microcircles and vibration honing on the coti and a hard ~50-60 degree draw stroke on the arkansas. My best finisher is probably my 110x25mm thuringian. It doesn't even feel small to me these days. It's a finisher after all.
You could finish on a ceramic or diamond studded bar (<1mmx~10-15mm) just fine. It simply requires adapting your method.
You could finish on a ceramic or diamond studded bar (<1mmx~10-15mm) just fine. It simply requires adapting your method.
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I have 2- 2" X 4" coticules and they are great. I have sharpened two razors using the unicot method and they shave fine. I can't afford the 8" X 3" coti and i'm glad i went with the smaller one since apparently i didnt need it. I would like to get a 6X2 In time but right now the smaller cotis are working out for me.
I've had a lot of luck with my 5"x1" Spyderco Double Stuff. I've also had some luck with a 4"x1.5" translucent ark but don't think I want to go any shorter than that.
I have an old Thurigian celebrated water hone in a little wooden box. I think it is about 1" x 5" and does a fine job. You just have to push the blade across as well as down. It took a bit to get used to, but once I got the hang of it, it is a real pleasure. I also put it down on a hand towel and use both hands to balance the blade as I hone it. Makes a barber's hone look like a football field 
