Thread: New to Honing

I am about to buy my first stone for honing. Currently I am looking at a Hard Translucent Arkansas Stone from this website
https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/H...FUlNfgodZUgKGg
I'm committed to getting a natural stone from Arkansas.Do you all think this is a good stone to begin with

From what I have read there seems to be a bit off difference between them depending on the mines/supplier. That said it seems most use Dan's and have said his seems to be the finest.

Also be prepared to have to put in the work to flatten and prep the stone for finishing razors. It will also be slow and requires a lot of laps and will be unable to do anything other than finial finishing

Go with a Dan's Whetstone. Can't go wrong. Check out:

Arkansas sharpening stones, flintknapping, sandstone coasters, knife sharpening

If I were to buy a single stone to maintain my new blade, which one would you recommend?

If you are new and JUST maintaining an edge, I would not recommend a natural. I would use a 12k super stone from naniwai. But if you are set on a natural, good luck.

Some stones are easier than others. But easy isn't always the primary goal. Seriously, watch some videos, read stuff, do your own homework. I've got both synthetic and naturals, and love both. Neither was especially difficult to learn. The Arkansas Translucent is a fine stone to maintain an edge.

Plus be on Dans, you will be treated right and he has some nice stones, for maintaining I think that would do, with a little work as long as your starting with a good edge already, but the 12k naniwa will even do some heavy maintenance with slurry and a little pressure.

So get which you like, or get both! I like them both and if this is your first go round and new to shaving I personally would get the naniwa 12k. Just because of the consistency and it has more range. Tc

Originally Posted by amand

If I were to buy a single stone to maintain my new blade, which one would you recommend?

I use a Chinese "12k" and have had very good luck with it. These from what I hear are hit and miss and you either love or hate them. The Naniwai 12k would definitely be a sure thing.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I personally would get the naniwa 12k. Just because of the consistency and it has more range. Tc

I went this way and have enjoyed success with it. At the moment I have only got new "shave ready" razors in my collection and this is an excellent stone for refreshing. I can't say more than that as refreshing is all I have done so far.

If you jave a blade that has been honed professionally, and just nee to touch up, i agree, Naniwa 12k SS, and a good 100% linen /leather strop. You migth think its a lot of money for a stone, but think about other options, test pastes and sprays on balsa and /or felt and pay for all of them and decide which one is best, it also has their cost, specially if you want to test diamonds... Naniwa 12k is consistent . Later on you can buy a poorman strop already pasted with 0.3 micron and CrOx/or 0.1micron FeOx from whipped dog (great quality and pricewise) and improve a bit more the polish, but i dont think you would "need" to do that after a good 12k touch up.. it is something you migth want give a try just for the kicks.