Thread: Touching up and maintaining a fresh edge

yes the link works thank you, do you think its worth waiting a little longer and getting the naniwa instead? or is the difference not that noticable.

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

https://www.amazon.com/Whetstone-Sha.../dp/B002LVZG1E
I hope this link works, here is a Shapton Kuromaku 12k ceramic stone for $63 free shipping on Amazon, I have this brand of stone and so far I enjoy them. I have the 1k, 2k, 5k and 8k and a 12k naniwa. I have no problem recommending this brand so that is less than what you say you found the Naniwa for. If the link does not work I apologize my computer skills are terrible.

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

Yes Utopian you are correct there is no way the stones I have from this distributor are close to the size of a barber hone. I can only say that while not a good choice looking back they did serve the purpose and I can not complain about that. I can complain about frustration but at the same time I did learn a lot. The hard way.

Yes, I cannot say that someone cannot learn to hone on them, but I do know that learning on a hone that small dramatically increases the chance of frustration and failure.

The thing that irritates me is the lie. Especially because it is directed at beginners.

If those quarter hones actually were 50% larger than the average barber hone, then that means that the size of the average barber hone would be 4 square inches. That means is would be
1" x 4"
or
1.5" x ~2.5"
or
2" x 2"

So how many barber hones have you seen that were that small? Again, it's the lying to beginners that bugs me.

is there a difference in this stone and the one from amazon ?

Shapton M5 12000 Grit Ceramic Whetstone | eBay

https://www.amazon.com/Whetstone-Sha.../dp/B002LVZG1E

Yes, the M5 is different from the Kuromaku. With the M5 only 1/4" is honing material. The Kuromaku is %100 honing material. I don't know what the difference in performance would be, I've never used the M5.

I can not say if naniwa and kuromaku are similar because I have not used the kuromaku 12k.
The kuromaku is the Japanese version of the Sharpton. They are designed for Japan's different climate. I can only assume that the difference is slim to none. Getting any of these 3 stones I believe you will not be disappointed. I simply point out the kuromaku because the cost is right IMO.

Im with you utopian. Very mis leading to new folks myself was included in that. But I learned a lot of valuable lessons using those little rocks

So for comparison, first pic is norton 1/4 stone sitting on kuromaku full size hone.
Second pic is 1/4 hone in my hand.
Third is kuromaku hone in my hand.

Here is a razor on each type of hone. Much easier as you can see on the full size hone.
I hope this helps give you the visual to see which will be nicer and easier to use.

Originally Posted by Marshal

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, But a 4 inch hone is too short. I often wish a barber hone were an inch longer. When using a hone 6 inches long or more, I've never once wished my hone were shorter.

The story of my life,,,,

All of my hones except for my King 1K are smaller, handheld hones. I have no problem with them and they are easier to store.

I have the quarter Chinese hone as well as a small Tsushima Ocean Blue ($35). That and a cheap pasted paddle strop is all you should need. You don't even need both but it's good to have alternatives.

The quarter Chinese hone has 50% of the surface area of the full sized hone. The thickest is just less (who cares?).

I use a cheap $10 Ebay paddle strop for pastes. The Tsushima Ocean Blue is my favorite currently but the cut down Chinese hone works well too.