Trying to do this cheaply

[SliceOfLife]

Norton is mistaken about their own stone.

3micron is 8k mesh not 8k JIS. Their stone is rated at effectively 3micron particles. Their claiming it matches an 8k stone on the JIS table is false. It is in fact an ~4000grit JIS stone.

[Pkrankow]

Eventually, the measurement of grit size in microns will likely dominate, because it is the only system that is both rational and readily understandable by anyone, anywhere."

What makes anyone think that rational understanding is going to get in the way of marketing?

Phil

[Alum of Potash]

Norton is mistaken about their own stone.

3micron is 8k mesh not 8k JIS. Their stone is rated at effectively 3micron particles. Their claiming it matches an 8k stone on the JIS table is false. It is in fact an ~4000grit JIS stone.

I will agree you about Norton's chart possibly being misleading there. They have 3 microns = 8k JIS. Bottorff's chart has 3 microns = 6k JIS, and Lee's chart has 3 microns = 4k JIS. Which one is right, I leave to the authority of some sort of international standards organization (suggestions here?). What I would like see is a mesh chart that rates higher than 2000x, and others with consistent micron equivalents. Again, the three charts I have seen are all different.

Edit: I found the thread to which PapaFish referred. So instead of hijacking this one any further, I'll head over there. I have to study it a bit, but I may have a question or two there.

[Proinsias]

I've had the 1k/6k you linked to for a few years. I like it. I don't find the jump from 1k>6k to be but much of an issue, a slurry can speed things up a little if required but isn't really needed. The 6k edge needs a little extra, a Chinese natural is another cheap fix but you can get away with just a pasted strop.

One thing to note about the combo stone. Recently I've noticed a crack appearing in the 6k side. After a little web fu it seems that only the 1k side should be soaked as soaking the 6k side will resulting in it eventually cracking, which is what I'm witnessing.

[PapaFish]

I've had the 1k/6k you linked to for a few years. I like it. I don't find the jump from 1k>6k to be but much of an issue, a slurry can speed things up a little if required but isn't really needed. The 6k edge needs a little extra, a Chinese natural is another cheap fix but you can get away with just a pasted strop.

Yeah, if you do the Poor Man's Strop Kit, it comes with a pasted balsa strop. I have found that I can use that to take a sub-shaving edge up to shaving. The CNat would be a better option long term, however, since it provides the extra sharpness to get you shaving, and you can still follow that with a pasted strop for even better results.

One thing to note about the combo stone. Recently I've noticed a crack appearing in the 6k side. After a little web fu it seems that only the 1k side should be soaked as soaking the 6k side will resulting in it eventually cracking, which is what I'm witnessing.

Now that you say that, I remember hearing that once, that the binder that is used on the higher grit side is water soluble (though slowly), and if you soak too long, or leave it in water, the 6K side will crumble. Putting water on the surface and honing followed by cleaning/drying isn't supposed to be a problem.

[A35335]

"Trying to do this cheaply"

Good luck with that............