Thread: describe the feeling of LV 1,2,3 etc...

I see this hardness rating system a lot when looking for
japanese waterstones. LV 1 is very soft and LV 5 is
very hard. There is even LV 5.5. Havent' seen LV 6 yet, lol.

I would like you guys to describe the feeling you get whilst
honing on a japanese natural stone with a certain hardness.
Many of you guys have many stones with different hardness,
so you can compare better.

Thanks in advance.

Sharpman

Level 5 feels like honing on a piece of glass without slurry and just water.

Originally Posted by Disburden

Level 5 feels like honing on a piece of glass without slurry and just water.

Is the feeling very artificial compared to softer stones. Is there feedback at that
hardness?

Could it be related to mohs hardness scale? as a way of classifying the bonding hardness of the synthetic hones.

Examples of mohs hardness scale ratings:
-Glass 5.5
-iron nail 4.5
-copper penny 3.5
-typical pocket knife 5.1
-Straight razor about 5.3

The lv-system is strictly for comparison of stones within the vendors, not between.
That means if vendor one rates his stone level 5 hardness, because it is the hardest stone he has in his set,
vendor number 2 may rate it a 4 because he has harder stones in his set.

You get it? The lv. gives you an idea of how hard or fine (ie lv hardness or lv fineness) this particular stone is compared to the other ones the vendor sells