Honing grit?

[Bonnie Campbell]

Okay, I found some of the EZE-Lap diamond cards.... what grit for sharpening/honing between grinding on chisels? They come in 250, 400, 600 and 1200..... Sorry for all the questions. LOML told me I better be getting a list of 'wants' to him ASAP :)

[Barry Elder]

Bonnie, I use mostly the 400, sometimes the 600, and wish that I had the 250.

[Bonnie Campbell]

Hmmmm, does that mean I can't get by with just one grit for touch up?

[JerHall]

Bonnie, If you are honing gouges to "sharp" not just trying to raise a burr you will need a slip stone so you can hone both surfaces. The edge is only as good as the least smooth included surface. woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=236&productid=07C40 is a good set by Norton at a low cost. The course one is not of much value to me, unless I am traveling and don't have access to a grinder. But the medium and fine are great. You can wash these clean. Not trying to start a hone or not hone discussion, but if you do hone this is a simple inexpensive way to go. Alan Lacer sells a very fine diamond slip stone that is much more expensive, but a good choice. Jerry

[Don McIvor]

600 would be my grit of choice if I'm just doing honing to keep an edge.

[Bernie Weishapl]

600 grit for honing.

[Bonnie Campbell]

OKay, thanks! I put a 600 grit on my stocking stuffer list ;)