Spyderco ceramic hone

[azmark]

I'm confused again.

Just let it go

[PapaFish]

The micron rating of the particles is somewhere between 7 and 15 microns on average, but because of the way it cuts, it gives an edge more like a 12,000 grit stone. If you go here, you will see various edges under 200x magnification, the UF is about the same as the Chinese 12K, which to me, look like two of the finest edges not including the pastes (and they are the two least expensive stones too). If you want to see how a stone with such large particles can cut so fine, go here and read the posts. You can see a VERY close up picture of the surface in the last post. The particles don't look, or cut, like normal wet stones would be expected to. I own and use the Spyderco 306UF, use it dry, and have been very pleased with it. That said, I haven't owned or used any other super high grit stones, so I wouldn't be a good one to ask for comparisons. For that you will want to go to this wiki and read the posts in the "different hones explained" section to learn about the differences between high grit stones. For some reason, I can't get #16 of this section to work, but Joel had done lots of testing work and wound up rating the Spyderco UF finished on leather as an "A-", which was VERY high on his scale. I think the only thing that beat it was finishing up on CrOx then leather. I think the only reason Joel isn't an even bigger fan of the UF is because it doesn't have the feedback that some of the naturals do. I for one, like the lack of noise while using it, as my wife and I can watch TV, I can put an edge on a razor, and it's not a nuisance. I also like that you can use it without water or oil.

[jeness]

A few people have lapped their full range of Spyderco M F and UF, and they said that the fine after lapping doesn't behave like the UF. I heard the rumors too, but I havent read one single post here that said that he lapped his UF and F, and after lapping they were the same. It would be good if they were the same, you could buy the cheaper F and lap it, to make an UF out of it.

[professorchaos]

I've heard about using diamond spray on it. I haven't used it but hear the results are superb.

It is so quick and easy that my other hones are collecting dust. I should note, however, that it leaves something of a rough edge. Nothing a little CrOx and stropping can't manage.

[jeness]

It is so quick and easy that my other hones are collecting dust. I should note, however, that it leaves something of a rough edge. Nothing a little CrOx and stropping can't manage.

What is your progression with the UF? You set the bevel with and 1k stone, and move on to 0,5 diamond slurry on the UF?

[PapaFish]

A few people have lapped their full range of Spyderco M F and UF, and they said that the fine after lapping doesn't behave like the UF. I heard the rumors too, but I havent read one single post here that said that he lapped his UF and F, and after lapping they were the same. It would be good if they were the same, you could buy the cheaper F and lap it, to make an UF out of it.

I have read this in multiple places also. With the color of the stones being the same (or very close at least), and having come across Sal saying that they are the same stone, I am inclined to believe it is true (although I can not prove this). I have talked to a forum member that says that when you lap the UF with a low grit (like the DMT XX which is 120 grit), you have to proceed to 600 grit, 800 grit, 1,000 grit and 2,000 grit wet/dry sand paper to get back to where you started. I have also seen here that another member has lapped and polished the second side of his UF and it "gleams like glass and acts like a 40k or so hone". With that being said, the reason I didn't buy the cheaper Spyderco 302F stone and lap it up to get an UF like finish is because the Spyderco medium and fine stones don't come in the 3" wide variety, so I went with the 306UF (also I didn't want to buy lapping supplies...). I realize that I have thrown a few links around, and that's because I did a lot of research before I picked a stone to go with, and a lot more between the time I purchased the stone and the time it actually came in the mail! Everything I have read on these stones has made me extremely impressed.

[Possum]

I have the Spyderco ceramic fine and lapped one side creating a side as Sal G. explained the ultra fine was. I lapped mine using a fine diamond and it works very well with my razor . One can certainly tell the difference in feel and shave off that side. So, I saved the 20$ and have the same stone. Then take it to my strop loaded with .5 green slurry rouge and my razor shaves like a lazer. Possum

[jeness]

I have the Spyderco ceramic fine and lapped one side creating a side as Sal G. explained the ultra fine was. I lapped mine using a fine diamond and it works very well with my razor . One can certainly tell the difference in feel and shave off that side. So, I saved the 20$ and have the same stone. Then take it to my strop loaded with .5 green slurry rouge and my razor shaves like a lazer. Possum

You will never know if a lapped UF is better until you try!

[honed]

You are making me wanna buy a UF

[PapaFish]

There is a Spyderco 302UF (8"x2"x7/16") for sale here in the B/S/T, along with a bunch of other hones. If I had the money to spend, I would buy the whole lot, as they are a very good price.

[Possum]

You will never know if a lapped UF is better until you try!

Sal, stated they were just lapped finer. They could have better equipment than me. However, yes there 'could' be some truth to your statement but I'll not spent the money to find out as this one gives a great shave already. Possum

[professorchaos]

What is your progression with the UF? You set the bevel with and 1k stone, and move on to 0,5 diamond slurry on the UF?

I am usually hone razors that have a bevel set but no longer shave well. In a typical progression, I'd give the razor about 10 laps on a DMT 1.2K to refresh the bevel and work through the progression of the day.

Using a ceramic hone and .25 diamond spray, I skip the bevel refresh. Two squirt of the spray on the hone, a little water and ~15-20 laps later I am done honing. I follow that with CrOx on balsa and strop on pressed felt.

[danjared]

I am usually hone razors that have a bevel set but no longer shave well. In a typical progression, I'd give the razor about 10 laps on a DMT 1.2K to refresh the bevel and work through the progression of the day.

How come you go back down to the bevel setter on a razor that has its bevel set? It seems to me like it would just prematurely remove steel.

[professorchaos]

How come you go back down to the bevel setter on a razor that has its bevel set? It seems to me like it would just prematurely remove steel.

When re-honing razors, I found more success in refreshing the bevel than starting on a 10K or so hone. Often, if I started on a finer hone, I'd end up with less than satisfactory results. So I started giving a razor that needs to be rehoned 10 laps on the DMT and check the edge with the TNT. Worked much better for me.

I should mention that my DMT has seen a lot of use and doesn't cut as quickly as it once did. 10 laps isn't removing a lot of metal.

[azmark]

I should mention that my DMT has seen a lot of use and doesn't cut as quickly as it once did. 10 laps isn't removing a lot of metal.

Those are the best. I finally wore down my 1.2K and will have to pick another up this week.

[PapaFish]

Those are the best. I finally wore down my 1.2K and will have to pick another up this week.

Are you giving away your worn down one? I just have a couple razors that need maintained, and (as long as it's still flat and still cuts) I could probably get some good life out of a hone that's not good enough anymore for someone that does a lot of razor repair.

[azmark]

Are you giving away your worn down one? I just have a couple razors that need maintained, and (as long as it's still flat and still cuts) I could probably get some good life out of a hone that's not good enough anymore for someone that does a lot of razor repair.

I'll sell it for $50 and offer a instant $50 rebate but I'm not going to just give it away.

It does cut inconsistent because of bare spots but you're free to try it out.

[danjared]

I'll sell it for $50 and offer a instant $50 rebate but I'm not going to just give it away.

It does cut inconsistent because of bare spots but you're free to try it out.

Mark, how much would it be to get you and your band to come over and play some Mexican classics for me?

[professorchaos]

Those are the best. I finally wore down my 1.2K and will have to pick another up this week.

As should I ... I'll have to start buy more razors to justify it though

[azmark]

Mark, how much would it be to get you and your band to come over and play some Mexican classics for me?

You want Las Mañanitas brotha?

As should I ... I'll have to start buy more razors to justify it though

I find every excuse I can so I went and found some more razors today