Razor edge fine hone

R

Robert Ptacel

Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
314
I recently purchased a Norton fine India stone to try out though I worked in a meat packing plant for 20 years so I do have some experience with them.It does give a sharp edge but I would have to say my Razor Edge Systems fine hone is a bit better.It leaves a smoother, keener edge with no break in period.Cons would be that it does cost twice as much and probably wear a little faster.The pros are you use it dry and the aforementioned finer edge.Markedly finer and no it doesn't glaze over.Someone on here said it is supposed to be 400 grit but in actual practice performs more like 1,000grit which I can attest to.
 
Forum member HeavyHands has that stone and has used it and likes it. He'll come around and tell you what he thinks the grit is. DM
 
Hey, the gangs all here!

The fine Razor's Edge hone is (IMHO) somewhere around 800 grit. I use mine with oil as I would with any silicon carbide stone - personal preference. It cuts fast and pretty clean with good feedback. I picked up mine as a reject, cost about 25 bucks I think. Large chip out of one side, but well worth the money. Possibly as fine as one can get with a vitreous silicon carbide stone, tho I have yet to hear why an even finer one cannot be made - maybe the individual grains begin to lump together when fired?

Anyway, it works great as a progression from a Norton fine Crystalon stone. Yes it is a finer grit than the India, but the India stone is a different animal. More of an all-purpose stone that still produces a very clean grind pattern with what might be the perfect EDU edge.

As with all solid stones, individual results will vary considerably with pressure, technique etc.

I have no experience of the coarse Razor's Edge stone, but imagine the coarse and fine stones together would make an extremely nice set. Anyone looking to get into freehanding should consider the pair as a serious option, esp if not put off by the imperfect ones for sale - they're a considerable discount.
 
HeavyHanded said:
Hey, the gangs all here!

The fine Razor's Edge hone is (IMHO) somewhere around 800 grit. I use mine with oil as I would with any silicon carbide stone - personal preference. It cuts fast and pretty clean with good feedback. I picked up mine as a reject, cost about 25 bucks I think. Large chip out of one side, but well worth the money. Possibly as fine as one can get with a vitreous silicon carbide stone, tho I have yet to hear why an even finer one cannot be made - maybe the individual grains begin to lump together when fired?

Anyway, it works great as a progression from a Norton fine Crystalon stone. Yes it is a finer grit than the India, but the India stone is a different animal. More of an all-purpose stone that still produces a very clean grind pattern with what might be the perfect EDU edge.

As with all solid stones, individual results will vary considerably with pressure, technique etc.

I have no experience of the coarse Razor's Edge stone, but imagine the coarse and fine stones together would make an extremely nice set. Anyone looking to get into freehanding should consider the pair as a serious option, esp if not put off by the imperfect ones for sale - they're a considerable discount.
Click to expand...

Yes I could see 800 grit and from what I've heard on here the Sharpmaker grey is considered about 800 also.I would say that the edge finish is comparable.Why though use oil when it works so well without.I use both the coarse and fine and I've never had any glazing?
 
Robert Ptacel said:
Yes I could see 800 grit and from what I've heard on here the Sharpmaker grey is considered about 800 also.I would say that the edge finish is comparable.Why though use oil when it works so well without.I use both the coarse and fine and I've never had any glazing?
Click to expand...

Its a personal preference. I find I have much better feedback and squeak a little more refinement out of the stone if I use oil. Also, even if no glazing the stone dust and metal swarf is going to load it up some as you go. Yes it can be brushed off or rinsed off, but if I'm using oil it floats most of the debris off the surface, I simply wipe the stone down when I'm done and it stays pristine. I also find with some oil on a silicon carbide stone it will act a bit more like a waterstone - slight lapping action - easier burr removal and a slightly more unified apex.
 
Yes, thats what I think the oil does. I've used these stones dry, with soapy water and oil and have determined that with oil I can obtain a better edge and feedback. Plus, it helps with less wear on the stone's surface and fewer airborne particles. Your mileage may vary. There is a large area of preference when using these stones ( SiC and alum. oxide). DM
 
I have never heard of anyone using oil on a sharpmaker, but the enclosed directions should be fairly clear, as Spydreco has been in the sharpening business for a long time, and have done a lot of research on their products. You could try and see if you like the results, as the stones can be cleaned up fairly easily.

Omar
:rolleyes:
 
Razor said:
Do you use oil on the sharpmaker?
Click to expand...

I don't have a Sharpmaker, but when using the Spyderco ceramic benchstone (I only have the Fine) I'll put a drop on the surface and rub it in. Just enough to leave a smear on the surface. This is really to make clean up easier - the swarf wipes right off.
 
I personally have a lot of respect for most of the sharpening tools made by Razor Edge Systems out of Ely, Minnesota. I still own quite a few of their sharpening tools and use them regularly. Their sharpening guides are great IMO> and the book that John Juranitch wrote entitled "The Razor Edge Book Of Sharpening" is one of my best sharpening books.

Now one thing I don't like about the Razor Edge coarse stone is that it dishes out too easily IMO. It does remove stock very rapidly but you've got to be constantly maintaining it. Also Razor Edge's videos on knife sharpening are great and I encourage everyone to check them out. You can get a great basic sharpening knowledge reading that book and watching their videos. Overall I think they are a quality minded company for sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top