Spyderco ultra-fine as a fniisher to norton 4/8

[Big_Fuzzy]

Allow me to state that I am extremely overwhelemed by all the information I have had to absorb. What I thought would be a simple 'razor, cream, leather' has instead become vastly more complex.

But to the point. it seems the Norton is a staple amongst many shavers and beginners, however it also seems to be common to go one further with an even finer hone. So far the spyderco seems to make perfect sense, and seems realtively cheap.

Any objections to this?

Keep in mind I am in Australia, and have had trouble finding chinese stones etc.

Thanks!

 

[English]

The spyderco hones will do a good job and you can shave off their finest grit hone (UF). You just need to learn how to use them.

They require a gentle touch and don't respond to heavy handed honing and in that respect, they are not as easy to use as say the Japanese synthetics. But the result is just as good.

You will see the filings on the surface of the hone as you progress and it is important to keep the hone surface clean. You can do this with that powdery bath cleaning cream and a brush or pan scourer. But if you let the surface clog up and it is easily done, the hone stops cutting. The surface will last you your lifetime.

Some guys talk about making sure the surface is truly flat and use diamond hones to level the surface to perfection. They say it works and makes the finest of the spyderco hones even finer. If the surface you purchase is not perfectly flat, take it back and get a new one. Infact if you are at a shop, check it before you buy it. The material is a ceramic and so I suppose some of them may be dished or warped when they come out of the drying kilns.

The finishing hone I had was really really fine and a good hone.

I am suprised you can not get Japanese hones either synthetic or natural. You need to check out a top quality wood craft tool store. They are certainly worth looking for. The biggest supplier is called King. But makes like Naniwa, Bester, Shapton, Cerax are just a few names of Japanese hone suppliers. If you can get a 800/5000 grit or 1000/6000 grit combination hone (two hones in one, you just flip it over), that will take care of the bevel setting and the sharpening and then you need a polishing hone at prefeably 8000 +grit or the finest spyderco hone(UF).

After that you just need to strop the edge on linen/cotton and then a good fine leather strop.

It's worth taking time to look into this stuff and get feedback before you buy, because the hones are not cheap and a good one will last your lifetime. So make sure the feedback is from someone who actually owns and uses one.

 

[azmark]

I use a Spyderco UF and love it. Been using them for years on knives and broad heads for hunting.

Do not try to lap these, they take an extremely long time and come flat. Just scrub them down with abrasive cleaner and water and it's ready.

I also have a Spyderco F hone but don't see myself using that anytime soon.

I felt overwhelmed with all the talk about hones, pastes, and strops but it's only complicated if you try to restore edges. I was helped by a few guys in here and helped me keep it simple. By the time you get to the need to hone dull razors you'll understand the process more. Just a strop w/cotton or linen, some chromox and your Spyderco UF hone and you'll be set for months.

Just do not skip on learning to strop correctly. I was stressed that after every reply to my questions and it truly makes a difference. I practiced with a butter knife and a belt, then moved to a butter knife and strop and when I got my razors, it's a piece of cake.

 

[leighton]

Nani 12k is cheaper IIRC. Other than that, I like my UF. I neglect it nowadays, but it served me well for many a year.