Editing Hones - comparison table
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It should be noted that since natural rocks of the same kind can vary widely between one another (unlike synthetic hones), it is difficult to assign [[Formulae For Converting Between Grit and Microns|grit ratings]] to them in whole groups. Also, different synthetics (brands, makes) of a given grit rating should not be expected to have precisely the same distribution/range of particle sizes, as they may be made or graded to [[Formulae For Converting Between Grit and Microns|differing standards.]] In addition to differences in size, abrasive particles will cut differently depending on their material and shape and the matrix in which they are embedded, or surface to which they are applied. | It should be noted that since natural rocks of the same kind can vary widely between one another (unlike synthetic hones), it is difficult to assign [[Formulae For Converting Between Grit and Microns|grit ratings]] to them in whole groups. Also, different synthetics (brands, makes) of a given grit rating should not be expected to have precisely the same distribution/range of particle sizes, as they may be made or graded to [[Formulae For Converting Between Grit and Microns|differing standards.]] In addition to differences in size, abrasive particles will cut differently depending on their material and shape and the matrix in which they are embedded, or surface to which they are applied. | ||
− | For an extreme example with stropping rather than honing, it has been said that stropping with 50 micron Chromium Oxide, which is more coarse than 500 grit, can still produce an acceptable edge, although not necessarily desirable. Diamond is commonly one micron or less micron for maintenance stropping. Diamond pastes of 6 and 3 micron are available but would rarely be used to '''''finish''''' an edge. For comparison 50 micron diamond would not be suitable to finish a razors edge. <sup>[reference needed]</sup> | + | For an extreme example with stropping rather than honing, it has been said that stropping with 50 micron Chromium Oxide, which is more coarse than 500 grit, can still produce an acceptable edge, although not necessarily desirable. Diamond is commonly one micron or less micron for maintenance stropping. Diamond pastes of 6 and 3 micron are available but would rarely be used to '''''finish''''' an edge. For comparison 50 micron diamond would not be suitable to finish a razors edge. <sup>[reference needed]</sup> |
Grit rating is often considered a ballpark for how a synthetic hone may perform or a ballpark for how a natural stone may perform in comparison to other synthetics. Each stone (or brand and make) must be compared to another to determine its differences or similarities. | Grit rating is often considered a ballpark for how a synthetic hone may perform or a ballpark for how a natural stone may perform in comparison to other synthetics. Each stone (or brand and make) must be compared to another to determine its differences or similarities. | ||
− | In comparing hones, some characteristics are more subjective (such as how ''smooth'' is the edge it leaves), more difficult to measure (such as how quickly it cuts), or may differ when using different steel. | + | In comparing hones, some characteristics are more subjective (such as how ''smooth'' is the edge it leaves), more difficult to measure (such as how quickly it cuts), or may differ when using different steel. The [[Hht|Hanging Hair Test]] can be a useful measure of keenness when calibrated by the user. How quickly a hone cuts through razor steel and how keen and how smooth an edge a hone can leave on a razor are characteristics that can be compared between hones. Comparing natural hones in this way can be on a stone to stone basis, but generalities can also be made. Through these comparisons people have arrived at commonly accepted progressions. Although the table is only a guide, it can provide a good starting point. |
Remember: | Remember: | ||
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| Norton | | Norton | ||
| up to 8k | | up to 8k | ||
− | | repair / [[Bevel-setting in theory and practice|bevel setting]] | + | | repair / [[Bevel-setting in theory and practice|bevel setting]]/finishing |
| The Norton waterstones are made in either a single grit or a combination stone. The grits are 220, 1000, 4000 and 8000. For many years these were the hones most used by members of the old SRP yahoo group and beyond. They are made in an 8x3x1" in single grit stones and in the same dimensions as a 220/1000 and 4000/8000. | | The Norton waterstones are made in either a single grit or a combination stone. The grits are 220, 1000, 4000 and 8000. For many years these were the hones most used by members of the old SRP yahoo group and beyond. They are made in an 8x3x1" in single grit stones and in the same dimensions as a 220/1000 and 4000/8000. | ||
While the combo stones are cheaper the single grits give you a lot more stone and the 8000 does not need to be soaked before use. The 220, 1000 and 4000 do need to be soaked for at least 15 minutes before use. The 1k is a relatively fast cutter and is an efficient bevel setter. The 4k and 8k used in a pyramid or progressively have proved to be very effective in the hands of a expert honer while being user friendly to the ''careful'' beginner. | While the combo stones are cheaper the single grits give you a lot more stone and the 8000 does not need to be soaked before use. The 220, 1000 and 4000 do need to be soaked for at least 15 minutes before use. The 1k is a relatively fast cutter and is an efficient bevel setter. The 4k and 8k used in a pyramid or progressively have proved to be very effective in the hands of a expert honer while being user friendly to the ''careful'' beginner. | ||
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| [[Belgian Hones|Belgian yellow (Coticule)]] (no or very thin slurry) | | [[Belgian Hones|Belgian yellow (Coticule)]] (no or very thin slurry) | ||
| 10k | | 10k | ||
− | | | + | | Finishing/Polishing |
− | Finishing/Polishing | ||
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| The Belgian coticule is found and mined mainly in the Ardennes region of Belgium. From the beginning of men using straight razors in the eighteenth century the coticule has been one of the most popular hones for sharpening straight razors. The coticule's cutting medium is garnet suspended in a mud binder hardened over millions of years by heat in pressure it is in the class known as metamorphic rock. The garnet suspended throughout the relatively soft binder of the coticule is the third hardest natural mineral and the rhomboid shape of these garnets cuts the steel of the razors edge in an efficient but shallow manner. | | The Belgian coticule is found and mined mainly in the Ardennes region of Belgium. From the beginning of men using straight razors in the eighteenth century the coticule has been one of the most popular hones for sharpening straight razors. The coticule's cutting medium is garnet suspended in a mud binder hardened over millions of years by heat in pressure it is in the class known as metamorphic rock. The garnet suspended throughout the relatively soft binder of the coticule is the third hardest natural mineral and the rhomboid shape of these garnets cuts the steel of the razors edge in an efficient but shallow manner. | ||
This characteristic of the garnet combined with the soft binder releasing some and revealing new garnets may be why the coticule has proven ideal of honing razors leaving a sharp but gentle feeling edge. The coticule may be used with water only as a finisher or if more aggressive cutting power is desired with a slurry formed by rubbing the surface of the coticule with a stone, usually but not necessarily, of the same material. In the recent past many barbers would use lather on the stone as a honing vehicle and referred to their cotcules as soap stones. | This characteristic of the garnet combined with the soft binder releasing some and revealing new garnets may be why the coticule has proven ideal of honing razors leaving a sharp but gentle feeling edge. The coticule may be used with water only as a finisher or if more aggressive cutting power is desired with a slurry formed by rubbing the surface of the coticule with a stone, usually but not necessarily, of the same material. In the recent past many barbers would use lather on the stone as a honing vehicle and referred to their cotcules as soap stones. | ||
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Using the blue in conjunction with the yellow whether in a natural combo, glued or as two independent stones, many honers find using the blue with a thick slurry to sharpen and the yellow with water only to finish to be an effective way to hone their razors. A thick slurry on the yellow is more effective at bevel correction while in the hands of an expert diluting the yellow's slurry can bring the edge to the same level of sharpness as the blue and then go on to water only for the same finish. | Using the blue in conjunction with the yellow whether in a natural combo, glued or as two independent stones, many honers find using the blue with a thick slurry to sharpen and the yellow with water only to finish to be an effective way to hone their razors. A thick slurry on the yellow is more effective at bevel correction while in the hands of an expert diluting the yellow's slurry can bring the edge to the same level of sharpness as the blue and then go on to water only for the same finish. | ||
− | Still the blue has it's place and is an effective stone when used with slurry. Again it is difficult to give a grit rating to a natural stone but it seems that the general consensus of those who insist on doing so rates the BBW in the neighborhood of 4k. | + | Still the blue has it's place and is an effective stone when used with slurry. Again it is difficult to give a grit rating to a natural stone but it seems that the general consensus of those who insist on doing so rates the BBW in the neighborhood of 4k. According to Bart due to the relatively sparse distribution of garnet the blue is less effective without utilizing the slurry. |
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| Finishing | | Finishing | ||
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| Escher, Japanese polishers | | Escher, Japanese polishers | ||
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− | | DMT | + | | DMT |
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− | | Man made Whetstone, diamonds bonded in a metal plate. very slow wearing no lapping needed no clocking only little water. All DMT | + | | Man made ultra modern Whetstone, diamonds bonded in a metal plate. very slow wearing no lapping needed no clocking only little water. All DMT "stones" are very fast cutters. On there own web page they suggest that 5-10min on a whetstone take only 20sec on the DMT's. Can be coarse and cause microchips until bedded in using light strokes on a metal object. Only coarser grit DMTs should be used for [[Hone Lapping 101|lapping]] other hones. Finer grit DMTs can have their cutting surface stripped off by wetstones, especially if a slurry is allowed to build up. |
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| [[Barber Hones|Barber Hones]] | | [[Barber Hones|Barber Hones]] | ||
− | | ~ | + | | ~8-12k |
| Finishing | | Finishing | ||
− | | Good for touching up shave ready razors that are just starting to dull | + | | Good for touching up shave ready razors that are just starting to dull |
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| Finishing | | Finishing | ||
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− | Also referred to as a PHIG(People's Hone of Indeterminable Grit) or a Guangxi hone. | + | Also referred to as a PHIG(People's Hone of Indeterminable Grit) or a Guangxi hone. |
− | It is a rather inexpensive natural water stone. Hard, slow cutter. From the feedback of our users, they seem to vary a bit in fineness and speed. | + | It is a rather inexpensive natural water stone. Hard, slow cutter. From the feedback of our users, they seem to vary a bit in fineness and speed. |
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| up to 8k | | up to 8k | ||
| repair/bevel setting/finishing | | repair/bevel setting/finishing | ||
− | | good stones but overpriced | + | | good stones but overpriced |
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| up to 30k | | up to 30k | ||
| repair/bevel setting/finishing/polishing | | repair/bevel setting/finishing/polishing | ||
− | | ceramic abrasives in a resin binder.quite hard need less flattening. cuts fast. no soak needed just a bit water on the surface.work without slurry.known for their finer edge. however the pro series has a reputation for too fast wearing for their stones 1k and under. also the 15k pro | + | | ceramic abrasives in a resin binder.quite hard need less flattening. cuts fast. no soak needed just a bit water on the surface.work without slurry.known for their finer edge. however the pro series has a reputation for too fast wearing for their stones 1k and under. also the 15k pro compared to the 16k glass is more expensive and gives less feedback. also the finish achieved is somewhat mat compared to the more traditional waterstones |
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| 400 to 10000 Grit | | 400 to 10000 Grit | ||
| Bevel setting to high grade sharpening | | Bevel setting to high grade sharpening | ||
− | | Synthetic Hones of high quality and price. Fast stones thru all levels. Considered a bit harder than the Naniwa SuperStones. Magnesia binder, as opposed to the resin of the SuperStones. Needs lapping when new. | + | | Synthetic Hones of high quality and price. Fast stones thru all levels. Considered a bit harder than the Naniwa SuperStones. Magnesia binder, as opposed to the resin of the SuperStones. Needs lapping when new. Soaking before use would be recommended. |
| Naniwa SS, Shapton Pro/Glassstones, Sigma, Suehiro Gokumyo | | Naniwa SS, Shapton Pro/Glassstones, Sigma, Suehiro Gokumyo | ||
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− | | Suehiro Gokumyo | + | | Suehiro Gokumyo |
− | | | + | | Up to 20K Grit |
− | | | + | | Bevel setting to high grade sharpening |
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| Naniwa SS, Shapton Pro/Glassstones, Naniwa Chosera, Sigma | | Naniwa SS, Shapton Pro/Glassstones, Naniwa Chosera, Sigma | ||
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