Chinese 12k or Spyderco UF?

**joke1176** · 02-21-2008, 01:04 PM

Just a quick survey of those gentlemen in the know:

If you had a choice of finishing with a Chinese 12k or the Spyderco Ultra fine, which would you choose? And why?

I have read all the reviews, searched/read all the posts on B&B and straightrazorplace regarding both, looked at the magnified pics on Zowada's page and have priced them both. The only thing I would like to know now is what more experienced folks would pick of the 2 assuming price isn't a factor.

If I knew how, I would make this one of those voting thingy's, but I don't have the skills.

**joel** · 02-21-2008, 01:37 PM

Neither. I prefer a green chrome pasted strop. Creates a finer edge, is less expensive, and doesn't need to be flattened.

It literally takes HOURS to flatten a Chinese 12K or a Spyderco UF on a diamond hone - and it's just a gigantic pain in the rear.

**joke1176** · 02-21-2008, 01:43 PM

even with a coarse DMT plate? Yikes... I was just looking for something to finesse the edge after working with the norton 8K.

If a green chrome strop is good enough, I will be more than happy to take the cheap way out. My wife would strangle me if I bought any more razor stuff anyhow.

**FloppyShoes** · 02-21-2008, 05:56 PM

Given the choice, I'd choose the Chinese 12k. The Spyderco is nice and cuts faster, but the chinese 12k is more gentle. This is crucial for difficult edges where hardness/microchipping is an issue. Joel is 100% correct about CrO paste, but it wasn't one of the choices

**joel** · 02-21-2008, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by joke1176

even with a coarse DMT plate? Yikes... I was just looking for something to finesse the edge after working with the norton 8K.

If a green chrome strop is good enough, I will be more than happy to take the cheap way out. My wife would strangle me if I bought any more razor stuff anyhow.

Green Chrome is not only good enough, it's better. You can get a good 2 sided paddle strop (which would work great for traveling) for like $40 or less, pre-pasted with green chrome.

**BOGARTUS** · 02-21-2008, 06:45 PM

I use this. It works great.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...,43072&p=32984

**joke1176** · 02-22-2008, 04:49 AM

Originally Posted by joel

Green Chrome is not only good enough, it's better. You can get a good 2 sided paddle strop (which would work great for traveling) for like $40 or less, pre-pasted with green chrome.

Shoot, that price sounds good to me. Are you referring to a Tony Miller paddle, or something else?

Edit: I found paddle strops at Lee Valley Tools (thanks BOGARTUS) , are these flat enough for a straight razor strop? Their strop and compound set is an outstanding deal if it is made well!

**riooso** · 02-22-2008, 05:37 AM

If you want to try the chromium thing there is the option of making your own to try it out. There is a guy here who makes strops out of Balsa and hardwood. I need to try that. I was sold on the pasted strop when I started and it keeps me shaving with really sharp razors and that is the foundation of this endeavor that we are engaged in.

Take care,
Richard

**joke1176** · 02-22-2008, 06:22 AM

I was looking through those posts, hmmm.

**joel** · 02-22-2008, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by joke1176

I was looking through those posts, hmmm.

You could make your own pretty easily, pick up one from Tony Miller, or find one on ebay or the web. There are quite a few places that have reasonably priced paddle strop you could charge with Green Chrome.

**joke1176** · 02-22-2008, 12:05 PM

I just ordered some Chromium oxide paste from Handamerican... I gonna make my own pasted paddle strop!

If I remember, I will post pics when I is done. At least if it's not too embarassing.

**Ookla The Mok** · 02-22-2008, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by joel

It literally takes HOURS to flatten a Chinese 12K or a Spyderco UF on a diamond hone - and it's just a gigantic pain in the rear.

I grabbed a 12k today, and I have been flattening it for about 1 1/2 hours

......it's getting close.

**joke1176** · 02-22-2008, 04:46 PM

I bought the balsa, for a whopping $3.75!!
All I need now is a cheap piece of wood to glue it to. I will get that tomorrow.

**Ookla The Mok** · 02-22-2008, 04:53 PM

I'll trust Tony Miller to make and paste my strop. If only he weren't such a great craftsman, perhaps I could actaully order one.

**Belegnole** · 02-22-2008, 06:30 PM

If only he weren't such a great craftsman, perhaps I could actaully order one.

lol....I'm having the same problem

**trewornan** · 02-22-2008, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by joel

It literally takes HOURS to flatten a Chinese 12K or a Spyderco UF on a diamond hone.

That's worrying, one of the reasons I was thinking about getting a Spyderco UF was that I understood it didn't need lapping.

**kbuzbee** · 02-23-2008, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by trewornan

That's worrying, one of the reasons I was thinking about getting a Spyderco UF was that I understood it didn't need lapping.

Well.... it isn't supposed to. AND if the one you get needs lapping (by who's definition? ) Spyderco will just replace yours....

That said, mine needed it and I did the DMT thing to it. Took a long time but it's flat now!!!

Good luck!!

Ken

**kbuzbee** · 02-23-2008, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by joel

Green Chrome is not only good enough, it's better. You can get a good 2 sided paddle strop (which would work great for traveling) for like $40 or less, pre-pasted with green chrome.

Is there a good thread discussing .5u diamond paste versus Green Chrome (also .5u?).

What I think I know

(or at least read, somewhere

)

1. Diamond paste cuts faster
2. Green Chrome yields a more gentle edge
3. Diamond paste can cause micro chipping
4. Different razors tend to prefer one or the other
5. Different users tend to prefer one or the other

Are these accurate? Anything additional??

Thanks!

Ken