Stone list and questions

[Toltepeceno]

I figured I should start my own thread rather than trample on someone else's, so here's the stones I am considering and appreciate any help. I do not have any of these yet and it will be slow, probably about one a month.

Chosera 1k. Recommended to me in the other thread, I notice these are made by naniwa and am wondering if the naniwa super stone 1k is good or stay with the chosera?

Norton 4000/8000. I know it's widely used, just curious if it would be better to take a little longer and get naniwa 5000 and 8000 super stones or stay with Norton?

Naniwa super stone 12000.

Strop/balsa/linen, etc. I'm taking the stones first.

Do the stones listed make a good progression? I'm not going into business, just want decent stones for setting bevel, etc. with ebay razors andr maybe a gold dollar or so (the wife's kitchen knives also). Suggestions? Comments? All appreciated.

Like I said, I will have to do it a little at a time, but I like to map stuff out ahead and not just jump in.

 

[oakeshott]

I think the only thing you'll get anything like a consensus on is the Chosera for bevel setting. I use it and am really happy with it. As for the others, the rest of my progression is natural stones. Others will advise.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

All are good choices. The Chosera 1k and 12K Super Stone are choices you will not regret, great stones and the shining stars in your lineup.

I do like the Chosera 1K better than the Norton or SuperStone, but all three are good stones that will achieve similar results. The 12k is a bulletproof finisher.

For the mid-range stones the Norton’s, Choseras and SuperStones are pretty much the same as well. I have all 3 sets and use the three interchangeably. The grits are a bit different between the Norton and Naniwa, but the results are very similar. There are some good, package or dual grit hone deals that may work out well for your budget, shop around if that is a concern. Do buy full size stones.

In the end it is all about the finish and finishing stone, how you get there is immaterial. Your selection so far will serve you well for many, many years to come.

I strongly recommend a synthetic progression to learn to hone on. Then you can get bit by the Natural bug.

 

[MattCB]

If you stick with synthetic stones, it will be easier for people to give advice if/when you get stuck or have a problem. The variation in natural stones makes it much harder to give advice.

"I strongly recommend a synthetic progression to learn tohone on. Then you can get bit by the Natural bug"

+1

 

[Toltepeceno]

Thanks guys, great info, I think for certain the chosera 1k will be the first ordered probably the first of nov. I have a couple of ebay razors coming to learn on and I can go ahead and set the bevel on those when I do get the chosera and in the meantime research the mid range ones more.

Full size it is.

 

[Toltepeceno]

If you stick with synthetic stones, it will be easier for people to give advice if/when you get stuck or have a problem. The variation in natural stones makes it much harder to give advice.

"I strongly recommend a synthetic progression to learn tohone on. Then you can get bit by the Natural bug"

+1

Very good point.

 

[inspiringK]

Don't forget that getting a DMT to lap those stones is also really handy/essential.

 

[Toltepeceno]

Don't forget that getting a DMT to lap those stones is also really handy/essential.

Right, something to lap them. Thanks for reminding me.

Edit: Going by price I will probably investigate the sandpaper on glass method a little more.

 

[buca3152]

chosera 600 or dmt 600 for the heavy work. when you need it you need it imo. the dmt 600 is great for lightly lapping your stones in between the sandpaper routine.

 

[Toltepeceno]

Thanks for the info buca.

 

[Steve56]

+1 for the Chosera 600. I use it for initial bevel sets and minor work, and a Shapton Pro 2k to refresh bevels.

Cheers, Steve

 

[Toltepeceno]

So start with the chosera 600 and move to the 1k? I'm guessing the 600 does not replace the 1k?

I just noticed the DMT's are i n a more reasonable range than the first ones I saw, the 600 is reasonable.

 

[buca3152]

Yes. the 600 is great for a prebevel. Removes the bulk of the steel and finish setting on the 1k. Not necessary for razors that have been shaving recently, but for gold dollars it will save you alot of time. The chosera 800 is another choice and that I have heard works great for bevels and then you could use the 800 for all your bevels and scratch the 1k.

 

[Toltepeceno]

Thanks, great info. I appreciate all the help.

Just so I'm clear would the dmt 600 be as good as the 600 chosera at setting/starting the bevels? I'm curious as buca mentioned doubling it as light lapping on the water stones.

 

[buca3152]

The 600 dmt can be used to lap with. But the heavy lapping should be done with a dmt 325 or atoma 400 or wet dry sandpaper. If you use the 600 alot, you will ruin it or get diamonds stuck in your hones. If the stones are pretty flat and need some swarf removal or light lapping you should be fine. I lap under running water. The 600 will remove alot of steel quickly, faster IMO than the chosera. Break it in with some hard steel like a screwdriver shank to get the looose diamond grit off before they get stuck in your hone. I use a piece of angle iron, few minutes its done.

 

[Toltepeceno]

Thank you again buca, I appreciate it.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

A 600 stone is nice to have but not a necessity unless you are doing a lot of restoration on some bad blades. The Chosera 600’s are very nice.

If you are going to buy a DMT, the 325 is the most common lapping plate. But if you are buying a DMT anyway, the 600 can be used to lap stones and edge correction/repair in place of the Chosera. Lapping is a little more work with a 600, but under running water will do the job with a bit of effort.

Sharpening a couple of Kitchen knives will knock of any high grit diamonds and prep the plate for lapping. It is an aggressive stone and will leave a straight but ragged edge, your 1k will clean it up.

If money is an issue a 12 X12 Granite or Marble tile and some 325 wet & dry will get you flat, some 600 W/D will also do edge correction before the 1K.

Restoration begins with razor purchase. Buy the best razor at a price you are willing to pay, buying junk heavily warped or chipped razors will only lead to frustration. Remember you are learning to hone, not make magic.

 

[Toltepeceno]

Thanks, great info. All of you guys are great.

I'm leaning toward the 600 chosera along with either the 800 or 1000 chosera also. I think I will try lapping with a granite or marble tile (lots of tile places here including home depot) and wet and dry paper and I could always get the DMT later on if needed. Next the norton 4000/8000 or the 2 naniwa's. I'm kind of leaning toward the norton's for the price. Last but not least would be the naniwa 12000 and strop, balsa, etc..

This will be here in a few days, something to learn with. Think it's doable?

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Nice straight edge, even with the spine, very little hone wear, should be a good blade to learn on.

Polish it up a bit to get gunk off the blade, tape the spine to preserve it and put it on the 1k.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Looks like an easy one.

YMMV, and your razor, but I wouldn't tape the spine unless it is needed. If you "preserve" the spine, then you need to "preserve" the edge, as well. You don't want to wear away steel from the edge and not also wear steel away from the spine. You figure out what will eventually happen if the width of the blade gradually shrinks but the thickness of the spine remains the same forever.