Hones? What do I need to know?

**Luc** · 05-21-2010, 04:54 PM

In an attempt to minimise the sticky notes, here's a list of what can be looked at if you are looking for answers on the Hone subject!

**Munxcub** · 11-24-2010, 08:25 AM

Does there exist somewhere a primer of sorts on natural stones? JNats in particular? Maybe a chart of some kind for which stones are roughly which grits/stages of honing? What you'd need for a bevel setter, middle steps, finisher... (I've been searching without much luck)

Something about natural stones just intuitively makes me think it'd give a more smooth and natural feeling edge... kind of like the difference between analog and digital. Digital might be technically perfect, but analog sounds better due to it's imperfections...

**azmark** · 11-24-2010, 02:42 PM

Whether coticule or Jnat there is no real "grit" rating. I rather rate them by their hardness; the harder the faster and in essence higher grit.

I think we can work on what certain stones are considered harder than others and maybe different methods to hone with them.

**Munxcub** · 11-24-2010, 02:51 PM

Since posting this I have not stopped doing JNat homework and have a better understanding on how they work... Enough to know that I don't know anything! But enough to know that such a comparison graph can not ever exist... Believe it or not, the most helpful Jnat page I read was on coticule.be!

**azmark** · 11-24-2010, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Munxcub

Since posting this I have not stopped doing JNat homework and have a better understanding on how they work... Enough to know that I don't know anything! But enough to know that such a comparison graph can not ever exist... Believe it or not, the most helpful Jnat page I read was on coticule.be!

That thread by JimR is awesome!

**rambus007** · 11-27-2010, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Munxcub

Believe it or not, the most helpful Jnat page I read was on coticule.be!

Originally Posted by azmark

That thread by JimR is awesome!

+1. Thanks JimR.

**danjared** · 11-28-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by azmark

Whether coticule or Jnat there is no real "grit" rating. I rather rate them by their hardness; the harder the faster and in essence higher grit.

I think we can work on what certain stones are considered harder than others and maybe different methods to hone with them.

I believe this true for Japanese awasedo in terms of fineness, but I have not noticed any such patterns with the half dozen coticules I've used (nor has Bart, apparently).

**safaripete** · 04-16-2012, 04:43 PM

Need a question answered If you would, please pm me with an answer. Can I use Chromium oxide paste (green squeeze bottle) as a slurry on my Norton water stones. Thanks to all who reply!!

**Pkrankow** · 04-16-2012, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by safaripete

Need a question answered If you would, please pm me with an answer. Can I use Chromium oxide paste (green squeeze bottle) as a slurry on my Norton water stones. Thanks to all who reply!!

Well, you COULD do anything you wanted, but I would not use a paste on a synthetic hone, especially a soft one. I would use a paste on a hard natural hone, preferably a less porous one, or a cheap one. If you have a Cnat or a slate hone, or a piece of balsa wood go for it.

I use CrOx on a balsa strop with good results. I got it from Whippeddog.com

Phil

**Luc** · 04-16-2012, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by safaripete

Need a question answered If you would, please pm me with an answer. Can I use Chromium oxide paste (green squeeze bottle) as a slurry on my Norton water stones. Thanks to all who reply!!

I do not see why you would use a stone with a paste...

**Alum of Potash** · 08-19-2012, 02:31 PM

What happened to the video link with the guy doing half laps from the start on a coticule? Can you provide me with a link again? That was a good one IMO.

**Luc** · 08-19-2012, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Alum of Potash

What happened to the video link with the guy doing half laps from the start on a coticule? Can you provide me with a link again? That was a good one IMO.

I do not remember this video, if someone does, please post.

**Alum of Potash** · 08-19-2012, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Luc

I do not remember this video, if someone does, please post.

Never mind. I found it. It's azmark's, under the "Honing Series: Coticule & Japanese Natural" heading. Sorry for the false alarm, but thanks for the quick response.

**Luc** · 08-19-2012, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Alum of Potash

Never mind. I found it. It's azmark's, under the "Honing Series: Coticule & Japanese Natural" heading. Sorry for the false alarm, but thanks for the quick response.

Happy to help!

**KW Driver** · 10-11-2012, 06:51 PM

is there any way to get user input on films? which manufacturers, or where to buy? my google-fu must be weak, but I've only seen one page to buy, that I think Slash McCoy said was overpriced.

perhaps even a film sticky for neophites like me?

please and thank you.

**Thomas Martin** · 12-20-2012, 12:26 AM

Pyramid honing, regular progression, Ax honing method, Burr honing method, unicot, .....

I'm a novice to straight razor honing and I'm pretty confused by this whole business. Could someone give a quick and dirty overview of all these methods with the pros and cons? That would be greatly appreciated.

**Pkrankow** · 12-21-2012, 11:12 AM

I recommend reading the guides on Coticule.be for information that is appropriate to all hones, even though they use coticules.

Some natural hones such as coticules will not form a burr. Burr forming is only useful for setting the initial bevel using a relatively low grit synthetic stone or lapping film.

Sorry I can't give more. I use the methods on Coticule.be without tape except for angle corrections.

Phil