japanese water stone

[mojohand]

Hi guys,

what about these Japanese synthetic stone 6000/1000?

http://www.holzapfel-berlin.de/cms/upload/bilder/Schleifmittel/1-628gros.jpg
http://www.holzapfel-berlin.de/cms/upload/bilder/Schleifmittel/KDSgros.jpg

Is it of any use in honing straight razors?

Thanks.

ps: Anyone from Berlin here?

[ouch]

The King 1K/6K combo stone is a no brainer recommendation as a beginner's stone for knives. For razors, it's not that useful. The coarse side is too rough for most applications, and the fine side isn't fine enough. For knives get the King 1K/6K. For razors, the Norton 4K/8K is a more useful stone.

[merkurguy]

I am looking for a knife stone. So a king would be the best choice for knives?I think I should develop my skill with knives before attempting a razor. It should be good practice for when I decide on using a straight razor.

[Suzuki]

I am looking for a knife stone. So a king would be the best choice for knives?I think I should develop my skill with knives before attempting a razor. It should be good practice for when I decide on using a straight razor.

There is very little similarity in the technique used to sharpen knives vs. to razors.

You're creating a different type of edge and with knives, you have to control the angle of the bevel(s), which in the case of a razor is something you don't worry about too much since its already set for you by the spine, which is flat against the hone.

[merkurguy]

So, when sharpening razors you rest the spine against the hone? I learned something new already. Would sharpening knives at least give you some skill with getting a good edge?

[ouch]

Chris pretty much summed it up- sharpening razors and knives couldn't be more different. Razors lay flat on the stone. Elevating the spine even a tiny bit changes the bevel angle. With knives, the spine must be elevated until only the bevel contacts the stone, and the spine never touches the stone (except in the case of sharpening the back side of a single bevel knife, but Iigress). Additionally, one of the main goals of sharpening a knife is to bring up a wire edge, or burr. You do not want to do this with a razor.

In theory, sharpening a razor should be much easier than sharpening a knife. In practice, obtaining the edge you desire is an art form. I'd suggest perusing Joel's compendious sharpening guide- he covers everything.

[merkurguy]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Kees]

These are very popular in Germany for honing razors, many members of NassRasur use one, many of them use pasted strops afterwards.


Hi guys,

what about these Japanese synthetic stone 6000/1000?

http://www.holzapfel-berlin.de/cms/upload/bilder/Schleifmittel/1-628gros.jpg
http://www.holzapfel-berlin.de/cms/upload/bilder/Schleifmittel/KDSgros.jpg

Is it of any use in honing straight razors?

Thanks.

ps: Anyone from Berlin here?