Thread: Cant get sharp with naniwa 12000

Alright, i like learning and doing things my self, so a set of 1k, 4k and 8k should suffice?
Could i skip out on the 1k and save some bucks, or would that be a bad idea? someone mentioned i only need the 12k.

Also im going to invest in some very expensive japanese knives for my cooking, which need sharpening stones from 300-4000, could i use those interchangeably, or is it best to have them separate?
really appreciate all the help!

Originally Posted by Jamesalot23

Alright, i like learning and doing things my self, so a set of 1k, 4k and 8k should suffice?
Could i skip out on the 1k and save some bucks, or would that be a bad idea? someone mentioned i only need the 12k.

Depends on what you're gonna do in the future, but in my humble opinion a 1K is an essential hone for razors, that is mostly when you're buying razors that need some work. (Essential as in, it will safe you quite some time than a higher grit hone and make life a little easier)
Setting a good bevel is 90% of the work, the rest is polishing, a bevelset is the most crucial part in honing.

My 1K has made my life endlessly easier and I couldn't be without one anymore.

I got a set of Naniwa Super Stones 1K, 5K, 8K and 12K. I saw Lynn use this set-up and I've been very happy with it.

If you're only gonna touch up your razors and nothing more a 12K alone would probably suffice.

I use a 1K Naniwa to set bevels on razors with terrible edges, rust and chips etc. If the edges are pretty decent a 3K Naniwa would do the job. Then it is on to an 8K Naniwa and then a 12K Naniwa as a finisher. Depending on how bad the edges are that you want to set a bevel on are you might be able to get away with a 3K/8K Naniwa combination hone to compliment your 12K Naniwa. My full set up is 1K, 3K, 8K and 12K Naniwa hones.

Bob

Ok, so the gap from 8000 to 12000 is no problem?
well the razor has a little rust on blade and very little on the edge(made another post on it if people want to see in the beginner section) but it can still shave but its rasping a little on the hair.
Also would it matter if i moved the grit a 1000 up or down in the stones, deepending on what i find avaible and different combiantion, like 1k,3k and 8k?

How many razors do you think you will be honing?

Originally Posted by Utopian

How many razors do you think you will be honing?

I have only one, and might buy one or two more later in my life, but no more than that, and thats buying new razor, dont thnik im going to restore a razor ever. so i would love to buy the least amount of hones/stones i actually really need.

Originally Posted by Jamesalot23

I have only one, and might buy one or two more later in my life, but no more than that, and thats buying new razor, dont thnik im going to restore a razor ever. so i would love to buy the least amount of hones/stones i actually really need.

Well, the razor you are working on now is a restore judging by the photos you posted in another thread. If you are just going to be doing that one and then eventually by a couple of brand new ones you could go with the 3K/8K Naniwa combo hone followed by your 12K Naniwa. Alternately just persevere with the 12K Naniwa to do all the bevel setting on the razor you pictured which would take a long time but is doable especially using a slurry for starters then going to water. If it were me I'd get the 3K/8K Naniwa combo stone and save the aggravation. The Naniwa combo is not very expensive and will be there if you needed it at a later date.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Well, the razor you are working on now is a restore judging by the photos you posted in another thread. If you are just going to be doing that one and then eventually by a couple of brand new ones you could go with the 3K/8K Naniwa combo hone followed by your 12K Naniwa. Alternately just persevere with the 12K Naniwa to do all the bevel setting on the razor you pictured which would take a long time but is doable especially using a slurry for starters then going to water. If it were me I'd get the 3K/8K Naniwa combo stone and save the aggravation. The Naniwa combo is not very expensive and will be there if you needed it at a later date.

Bob

Oh okey, i will be quite happy if i could get away with only buying one combo stone, so the 3k will be coarse enough to restore edge, and the gap between 3k to 8k is not too big? if all thats good im going to buy that one!

Originally Posted by Jamesalot23

Oh okey, i will be quite happy if i could get away with only buying one combo stone, so the 3k will be coarse enough to restore edge, and the gap between 3k to 8k is not too big? if all thats good im going to buy that one!

Well, that is my opinion but maybe wait and see what other recommendations there are before you jump on anything. Yes, a 3K is coarse enough to set a bevel but will take longer than the 1K. I go 3K to 8K in my progression so it works for me.

Bob

You could also send it out. Most razors only ever need to have the bevel set once. From there it is simple maintenance. So if you think about the numbers. Postage out and back, and $25 for honing and Robert is your mothers brother. Pretty painless. From there you already have a great maintenance hone. So unless you dink your razor on a faucet or manage to chip the bevel somehow you are good to go. A set of stones to learn to set a bevel and polish an edge three or four times does not make sense to me. There are a ton of guys that just maintain their razors and get someone else to get it started. Those that hone either tend to do a lot of restoration or hang ashingle out or some combination. Getting a nice edge on a razor won't usually happen the first time you try and you would not be the first to decide part way throughhat honing is not for them. If you want to get your feet wet in the future, attending a meet is the best introduction to honing that you will ever find.