Thread: Japanese Hone Options

Hey all,

So my birthday is coming up next month, and my mom just asked what I would like. She even asked if I wanted any hones or razors! She knows me well. So I said I wanted a japanese hone. I don't know if I'll get one, but it's still nice to dream.

I get awesome shaves from what I have now, and I'm using razors that I've honed completely myself. As far as what I use to hone my blades, I use: norton 1000, 4000, 8000, then a coticule with water, then thuringian hone, either yellow/green or dark blue. I'm getting wickedly sharp edges straight off the hones now (took a while to get there) and find no need to use pastes anymore. That said, I think it's time I graduate to the big leagues!!

So my question is: what kind of japanese stone would you recommend to use after, or in place of, a thuringian? I've seen a few for sale in the classifieds, and I've checked out the ones that Old_School sells on his site. But to be honest, I have NO idea what the differences are between them all are! Only that they're all expensive...

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Welcome to hone disease .it will never stop and actually isn't bad habit. i love it and who knows me says i am hone sick.
Now Japanese stone i didn't know anything about them ether But one day some how i said i will buy 1 but i did buy instead of one 2.These are different world.I have Nakayama .
It is very difficult have japan hones if you don't know anything about them.I did risk a big rick but i was very very lucky person seller was honest person and was from srp.Even after i tried nakayama i kind a get mad at OLD SCHOOL .I WAS blaiming him why he doesn't advertise nakayama very well.
I will tell you i am doing current time experiment Nakayama against my other escher's.will post results when i am done.
I will say this if you buy right Nakyama i am sure it will make you very very happy.MY nakayama beats every single escher i have except 2.1 is yellow green escher another is my brown escher.Again i haven't finish my experiment yet can't say final words but this is early indication.SEnd email to old school and ask for help.he is very nice person and honest .i have a lot respect that person.
Good luck and i will see you one day post experiment with nakayama

hope this helps

What Utopian say in this post explains why I don't get into Japanese hones better then I could ever express it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

What Utopian say in this post explains why I don't get into Japanese hones better then I could ever express it.

I remember that post! That was a funny rambling of his, definitely stream of consciousness writing. I think that whatever type of natural stone you get you'll always be looking for more. I have 2 thuringians and 2 coticule, and both of each type perform differently. I'm always wondering how others will perform.....

Once you start with HAD, there's NO turning back.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

But by not buying one means the HAD part of your name is not entirely accurate

I will amend that to say not yet .

I have a Nakayama I got from OLD_SCHOOL. Here's some pics of it au-naturale if you want some hone porn.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic-honing/31828-my-japanese-natural-pic-heavy.html

I think it's great stone, and well worth the money he charges for them.

Hell, in some cases, you can't get a vintage labeled Escher on fleabay for his prices, and that says a lot!

I am looking forward to seeing hi_bud_gl and his two hones at the Mid-Mo get together, as well as Utopian and his Japanese stones.

It's gonna be a finishing stone fight to the finish!

Maruka Nakayama Kiita with some Nashiji spotting. It's better than an Asagi or a Karasu.

Utopian has a beautiful Japanese stone that is so large you could use it as a speed bump in a parking lot the lucky bugger. It's a monster stone that I was fortunate enough to handle in person. He says it works very well.

Then again he's got a brick sized coticule too.

I have to learn that guy's secrets in finding such huge hones and bargain prices!

Chris L