Pressure

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Yes, the King Gold Stone 8k is a very nice stone and for years it was the gold standard in the Woodworking world. Despite what some folks preach you do not need to stay within a manufacturers line for a working progression.

My old progression was several stone each from a different maker. Nowadays it is usually a King 800, King 6k, Suehiro 10k and Jnat or Ark finisher.

Today there are stones that polish a bit finer, while I have a King Gold Stone 8k, I much prefer the Naniwia 8k Snow White and used them for years. The Snow White produces a near mirror finish that is a very shaveable edge or a great jumping off point for a Jnat or Ark finisher.

An even better pre finisher and my new favorite is the 10k Suehiro, but it is twice the cost of the King and Snow White, and really if you are going to finish on a natural or paste, the level of an 8 or 10k does not matter.

The 6k edge on the Dwarf will likely get a Jnat finish, that really should only take a few laps from its current 6k edge.

 

[albsat]

This weekend I picked up a very clean 3-pinned Double Duck, Dwarf at an Antique Store for $40.

I first reprofiled the heel, moving the corner well away from the stabilizer and sat nicely on the stone, a single lap removed ink from the heel to the toe.

Re-set the bevels with a King 1k in about 40 laps. Jointed the edge and re-set the edge twice more on the 1k in 10 lite finish laps, until it was chip free.

Remove most of the 1k stria in about 40 laps on a freshly lapped King 6k. Jointed and reset the bevel twice more, in about 10 laps each re-set, and removed all the 1k stria, and got a solid, straight 6k edge.

Stropped 40 laps on fire hose flax linen and 20 on leather.

Re-lapped the 6k with a 600 Atoma plate and smoothed with a synthetic nagura, (I believe it is a 3k, came with a synthetic stone years ago and I use it to smooth stone faces and remove swarf on Shipton’s and Suehiro).

You don’t really need to smooth a 6k stone face but since I was trying to squeeze out the max performance from this stone, and was planning on only doing a few laps, it would not hurt.

Jointed the edge again, with a single lite stroke. Washed the stone free of slurry, flooded with water and re-set the bevel with 10 super lite laps on the 6k.

Stropped another 40 laps on firehose and 20 on leather. The shave was very smooth and keen, taking off a 2-day beard easily and shaved ATG very comfortably.

This 6k edge was keen and gave a smooth close 2-pass shave. I could easily shave off this edge daily with no problem.

I am always impressed every time I read how easy you achieve a finishing stage using 1k/6k King stone.

 

[Saloogie]

Yes, the King Gold Stone 8k is a very nice stone and for years it was the gold standard in the Woodworking world. Despite what some folks preach you do not need to stay within a manufacturers line for a working progression.

My old progression was several stone each from a different maker. Nowadays it is usually a King 800, King 6k, Suehiro 10k and Jnat or Ark finisher.

Today there are stones that polish a bit finer, while I have a King Gold Stone 8k, I much prefer the Naniwia 8k Snow White and used them for years. The Snow White produces a near mirror finish that is a very shaveable edge or a great jumping off point for a Jnat or Ark finisher.

An even better pre finisher and my new favorite is the 10k Suehiro, but it is twice the cost of the King and Snow White, and really if you are going to finish on a natural or paste, the level of an 8 or 10k does not matter.

The 6k edge on the Dwarf will likely get a Jnat finish, that really should only take a few laps from its current 6k edge.

Yeah, I realize you don't have to stay in brand, but I really like the King 1k & 6k, so I was thinking of staying with them. I think an 8k would help before I jump to the finishing stone. But I'm going to keep those others you mentioned in mind. I'm open.

I just had a pretty comfortable shave with a razor I took up from 1 to 6k, to a hard Ark to a surgical Ark. Was a pretty nice comfy shave. ATG was pretty nice, but it wasn't as close as I'd like. But at least it was comfortable and even more important, no cuts. My wife is getting tired of seeing those!

I used a much lighter touch on the stones like we talked about and it seemed to do the trick. The blade sharpened quickly and I didn't seem to need as many passes to get it there.

I know I probably don't need it right now, but I bought one of those Canadian finishing stones, a Lochinvar water hone. He has some interesting stones. You can see them here.

RFACo. ~ Lochinvar Water Hone Select ~ 545g * Natural Whetstone 'par kiita' | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RFACo. ~ Lochinvar Water Hone Select ~ 545g * Natural Whetstone 'par kiita' at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[psfred]

The King 8k is OK, Naniwa makes better 8k stones though. The king is prone to loading up, unlike the 6k. Plenty of used ones around if you look for them too.

And a lighter touch makes a world of difference, and the more hollow ground the razor is, the more difference light pressure makes. I'm working on getting some chips out of the edge of a Swedish steel razor (off brand) with my "new" Shapton M5 1k, and the steel just seems to melt away leaving a very clean edge. Very much like just sliding the razor over the stone, but swarf magically appears and the edge moves back!

 

[Koop]

The King 8k is OK, Naniwa makes better 8k stones though. The king is prone to loading up, unlike the 6k. Plenty of used ones around if you look for them too.

I disagree on the King being prone to loading up. In my experience, a quick spritz of water and a swipe of my hand cleared the stone and it continued to work normally. I'm speaking of a blade that had prior prep - so a fairly clean edge going to the 8k.

 

[Saloogie]

I just purchased a King Gold Stone 8k last night. I think I got a great deal on eBay $51.00 + $3.00 shipping brand new.

Funny thing is right after I put in the offer I came here and saw a message from forum member Koop offering me his. What timing. When it rains it pours! (thanks Koop) But it was to late, the eBay offer was accepted. But I'm happy, it was a good deal.

So buying this and the Lochinvar finisher, I think I'm good with stones for awhile. Now it's time to get my progression down and practice, practice, practice.

 

[albsat]

I just purchased a King Gold Stone 8k last night. I think I got a great deal on eBay $51.00 + $3.00 shipping brand new.

Funny thing is right after I put in the offer I came here and saw a message from forum member Koop offering me his. What timing. When it rains it pours! (thanks Koop) But it was to late, the eBay offer was accepted. But I'm happy, it was a good deal.

So buying this and the Lochinvar finisher, I think I'm good with stones for awhile. Now it's time to get my progression down and practice, practice, practice.

So your setup is 1k,6k,8k King stone plus the Canadian finisher stone? Looks like a great affordable setup. Let us know if this works great for you.

 

[Saloogie]

So your setup is 1k,6k,8k King stone plus the Canadian finisher stone? Looks like a great affordable setup. Let us know if this works great for you.

Will do, thanks.

Yes, that's the set up, but I also have a Vermont Slate and surgical Ark for finishing, so I have some choices. The Canadian hasn't arrived yet, but I'm anxious to see how it performs. The dealer really puts a lot of information on his site, so hopefully I chose correctly.

 

[Saloogie]

So your setup is 1k,6k,8k King stone plus the Canadian finisher stone? Looks like a great affordable setup. Let us know if this works great for you.

So my honing is definitely improving. The lighter pressure and some of the other tips you guys gave me, really seems to make a good difference. My last two shaves have been pretty good. Relatively smooth and close to BBS, and no cuts. There's still room for improvement however.

My progression was 1k to 6k, the Vermont and then the surgical Ark. Very nice. My 8k King arrived but I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I'll put that in after the 6k and skip the Vermont and then I'll use the Vermont as the finisher and see how that goes. Still waiting on the Lochinvar which will be here this week, and I ordered an Invicta finishing stone from the same dealer. This is a novacular stone similar to the Ark's. What can I say, he gave me a deal I couldn't resist. I'm so weak🫣.

I have high hopes that the Canadian stones are good, but they're not to expensive so I'll be ok if they're not.

 

[Saloogie]

So my Canadian Lochinvar stone arrived today and I immediately put it to use.

I have a nice wedge razor that needed a full honing, so I went through my King 1/6/8k progression and onto the Lochinvar. I had a pretty heavy 2 1/2 day growth and the first pass was a bit on the rough side, but it cut very well. I was a little disappointed, as I had hoped for a super smooth feel. Maybe I was asking to much? I did use slurry as well. Maybe I should have went with clean water for the final laps? The next two passes went great however, smooth and close.

So it's to early to tell, but this stone looks like it could be a keeper. It wasn't as good as my black surgical Ark, at least on this shave, but we'll see if I can get this Canadian there with a little more experience.

 

[Eshebert]

So buying this and the Lochinvar finisher, I think I'm good with stones for awhile. Now it's time to get my progression down and practice, practice, practice.

I have had most of the FRA Razor stones. My preference is the Invitica, Nakoda Black Diamond and the Rosetta, I kept them. They are not must have stones, not unique, but very effective. I did not care for the others much. Very affordable stones.

 

[Saloogie]

I have had most of the FRA Razor stones. My preference is the Invitica, Nakoda Black Diamond and the Rosetta, I kept them. They are not must have stones, not unique, but very effective. I did not care for the others much. Very affordable stones.

Wow, I'm glad somebody else has them.
I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one that caught this eBay dealer and his stones.

I have an Invicta on the way next. I might also go for the Rosetta stone. His prices are very good IMO and at that price I'm not exactly expecting something super unique, just something that gets the job done. And so far I'm pleased. My Vermont Slate is much the same, a bit better than adequate, but not to unique.

As I feel my face 2 hrs after my shave, it is super close, so I am satisfied for sure.

 

[Eshebert]

IMO, the Invitica is very similar to a fine Tam O Shanter, the Nakoda is very Silkstone’ish. Other than the color, the Rosetta is indistinguishable from a Charnley Forest. If you have or used any of those stones, these are dead ringers.

 

[Saloogie]

IMO, the Invitica is very similar to a fine Tam O Shanter, the Nakoda is very Silkstone’ish. Other than the color, the Rosetta is indistinguishable from a Charnley Forest. If you have or used any of those stones, these are dead ringers.

I haven't had the good fortune of using those stones yet, but I know they have a great reputation in the SR world. So if these Canadian stones compare to them, I'll be very pleased, especially considering their price point.