Darn Near There

Yesterday marked a milestone for me. I have been having some success at razor sharpening, but I wasn't quite there. I have been using my straight off and on for quite awhile, but it just didn't cut it (no pun intended). Yesterday I came across a stone (Washita?) that I bought maybe 30 years ago and seldom used. I have been using the Norton 4/8 and a pasted strop. the thing is that I guess I wasn't quite ready for the pasted strop. Anyway; after using the Washita I stropped the razor (Sears "Queen") that had belonged to my father who passed away 9 years ago. The razor didn't cut the whiskers, it melted through them. I think I am catching on finally. The thing about the Washita is that it is only about 1 3/4 inches wide. Today I ordered a 12 K Chinese water-stone from Woodcraft as suggested by I think Joel. I truly believe I am over the hump, and on my way to smooth shaving.
Time will tell.
Ken.

KenS said:

Yesterday I came across a stone (Washita?) that I bought maybe 30 years ago and seldom used.

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A Washita stone is generic term for an Arkansas stone. Certain types of arkansas will put a wicked edge on a razor - Blacks and Translucents particularly, though they are slow like a barber's hone. If the stone says "Best Washita" or something like that, and it's old enough then it's definitely possible - I've got a "Best" grade stone that is a translucent. White or gray translucents look just like normal arkansas stones because the factory cutting and polishing wheels leave a slightly frosted finish. But if it's a translucent you can see sunlight through it, even a thick (1"+) stone, because it's just the frosted surface that makes it look solid.

This is a gray/green stone that is not translucent. It is however, soft and quite fine. I sure wish it were wider so I wouldn't feel the need to buy another stone. I'm just not comfortable using a narrow stone for a razor.
Ken.

Ken,
Make sure you flatten that chinese 12K before you use it!

joel said:

Ken,
Make sure you flatten that chinese 12K before you use it!

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Absolutely, I have my diamond impregnated hone setting out waiting. Thanks for the heads-up just the same.
Ken.

joel said:

Ken,
Make sure you flatten that Chinese 12K before you use it!

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My new Chinese 12K stone came today. I promptly laid out a 3/8" grid with a pencil on both sides, then slipped the stone into water to soak for 30 minutes. After the soak I used my diamond impregnated hone to flatten the stone (Quick work) I used the coarse side on the DIH then the fine side. I doubt that I spent 20 minutes flattening both sides. As reported, I honed two of my favorite razors with the 12K, then stropped and shaved with one of them. What a nice surprise to have a blade so sharp that my whiskers didn't even slow the blade down (I didn't really feel them as they were being cut).
So this is my chance to thank Joel for his detailed reports of which stones and other equipment are a good deal, and worth buying.
Thanks Joel!