Let's talk honing straights! What does everyone hereuse for stones?

Hello all,
I am just getting back into straights and I want to know what everyone uses to hone their razors and what you use to refresh/maintain your razors.

I would like to use this info to put together a progression setup. I am mostly looking for the sharpening stones and maybe a less aggressive bevel setter and better finisher if there is one.

Thx.

EDIT: I guess I could have posted my idea of what I am looking at for a setup. I have the Pro 1k and Imperia La Roccia (ILR) 12-15k on the way thru a deal I couldn't refuse.

Idea 1
Shapton Pro 1k - for heavy beveling
Norton 4k/8k - for sharpening
ILR 12-15k - for finishing.

Idea 2
Shapton Pro 1k - for heavy beveling
Naniwa SS 2k, 5k and 8k - sharpening and using the 2k for bevel setting.
ILR 12-15k or maybe add Naniwa 12k later - finishing.

Idea 3
Shapton Pro 1k - for heavy beveling
Shapton Pro 2k, 5k and 8k - sharpening and using the 2k for bevel setting.
ILR 12-15k - or maybe adding the Shapton Pro 12k later - finishing.

Thx.

 

Bevel Set: Chosera Pro 1k
Alternative: Naniwa SS 1k

Sharpen:
naniwa SS 3k, 5k, 8k

Finish/polish:
naniwa SS 10k, 12k— and possibly a natural finisher, either an Escher waterstone or Apache Strata

Refresh: ChromOx paste/ diamond spray on a dedicated strop (one application on each side).

 

I was thinking Naniwa or Shapton Pro 2k, 5k and 8k for sharpening and using the 2k to bevel as I have heard it can be done pretty easy. I will have a Shapton Pro 1k to use for serious beveling if needed.

Thx. for posting!

 

I use a Chosera for bevel set and Naniwa 3k-12k after that. I finish most on a Zulu but also use a Coticule or thurigan.

Alternately I use a Norton 4/8k Mir the middle and can finish on a 10k or 12k Naniwa.

These serve my purpose as I only hone for myself.

If a razor needs a touch up I usually use the 12k Naniwa for a few strokes and may then use the Zulu grey.

 

Chosera Pro 1K
Norton 4/8
Naniwa 10K
Natural finisher (Zulu Grey, Escher, Coticule, HGH)

 

Thanks all. Hope to see more setups listed.

The Naniwa's seem to get used more than the Shapton Pro's. I was told that they will warp. Is that true?

 

I lap my naniwas before using with a DMT.

 

The first listed on each line is the one I like best/use most often.
Taidea 400/1k or King 800
Tan Hindostan or grey Hindostan
Imperia 8-10
Guangxi or Thuri or Kuro or Imperia 12-15
Palisades Pink or Owyhee Jasper or trans Ark or black Ark

 

I would love to be able to use one or even two jnats for a full sharpen. I have seen it done but I am sure the jnats are out of my price range!

Thx.

 

Let me give you a really good piece of advice...

To REALLY learn to hone razors...

You start at the Finisher stage with simply maintaining your razors and slowly work backwards down the grit range, after learning the "Honing Gymnastics" on a hone that can do the least damage


Now feel free to ignore that advice and buy all the stones and jump in the deep end LOL

I have been recommending the Naniwa SS set

1-3-8-12 for a few years now as the most SR friendly and cost effective way to hone.. You will be hard pressed to beat the edges that these can produce at any price...

 

-Chosera 1K (best bevel setter in the business) Naniwa SS 1K
-Norton 4K/8K OR Naniwa SuperStones 3K and 8K
-Naniwa SS 12K finisher

Should you choose a "super-finisher", the Suehiro Gokumyo 20K is in my opinion, as good as a synthetic gets.

*EDIT- Just noticed the "less aggressive bevel setter" part...

 

I am actually just going to start with my own and with just maintaining them and I plan on using the ILR and a strop for that and if be, pick up an 8k. That said, it doesnt hurt to reading/reviewing and even searching around for setups to figure out what I may want to try out.

Thx.

 

Thanks for the comments. I don't think I will ever need to get into the Super 20k finisher and those are too pricey for my wallet. I have heard great things about them though for sure!

 

Glen has the best advice I have seen on honing.. on pretty much any aspect of it. My two cents:

1) I would be to start with synthetics as they are consistent all the way through and a LOT of people will have the EXACT same stone and be able to give you pertinent advice.
2) Stick with your stones and get the most out of them before getting something new.

I started with the Norton 220/1k, 4k/8k combo stones, Currently use 1L Chosera, 4k/8k Norton, 12k Naniwa, Vintage Thuri.
Will probably play with my mid range stones a bit down the line (as they are getting worn down pretty good) but not in a hurry as I mainly only hone my own.

 

Well IF he did (ignore the astute advice you've given), he'd have plenty of company. How else would all those synthetic stone manufacturers stay in business?

 

It looks like I already have a finishing stone. I think I'll follow @gssixgun advice and start here. I actually bought this stone at a Japanese knife store in Manhattan, with plans to use it on my Japanese kitchen knives. I didn't know that it would be for my razors. I guess it's time to take it out of the box

http://classicedge.ca/index.php?route=product/product&path=72&product_id=1746

 

I am planning on using the ILR to maintain but if I find it isn't keeping the razors sharp anymore, I may go down to an 8k stone at that point. Yes, just maintaining at this time but still looking, reading and dreaming!

 

I just don't have the stones to attempt honing my own str8s.

 

I just picked up a Naniwa SS 12k to keep my blade fresh. When it needs honed I will send it to Glen.

 

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