Hone selection limitation.

Hi,
Serious head scratching zone now people. Get in recomendation stance. :jedi:

Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories
I'm on the verge of buying my first hone set and from what I've read, the outstanding first hone choice seems to be the Norton 4k/8k which I'm happy with. I want to get a 12k as well and I've been told by Lynn that the Naniwa 12k is delicious.

Now the classicshaving.com site doesn't list having the Naniwa 12k superstone which makes me reluctant to buy one, simply because of saving on the combined postage of the two stones from the one place, as I'm shipping to Hanoi, Vietnam.

There *is* a 12k waterstone listed on that page here
Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories
Now, I understand it's a natural stone, therefore not exactly 12k.

And a question emerges:
How does this 12k waterstone stand up to a Naniwa or even more helpful a question, is this what I'm looking for to touch up razors that are aren't shaving as well as they could be and are beyond stropping?

Edit: Or maybe a coticule?

Thanks for your help! :bow
Looking forward to stopping reading for an afternoon, and starting honing.
Jigme

I am biased as I have never used either but I do use a coticule. I'm sure the coti off the 8K would be a great shave. It can also be used to touch up those razors that need it.

From what I understand though, the coticule will leave a smoother edge, so you won't get that scary sharp feeling to the blade, that may be something you want so it's worth consideration.

The coticule is also a very versatile stone, between slurry, wet, and dry you can cover a lot of the honing progression.

Here is a website that carries Norton stones and the Chinese 12K which is a very reasonably priced finishing stone that many forum members find very effective. :gl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Here is a website that carries Norton stones and the Chinese 12K which is a very reasonably priced finishing stone that many forum members find very effective. :gl:

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Thanks Jimmy, but isn't that Chinese 12k the same stone that's listed in the classicshaving.com website? It's mined from the same area in China at least.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jigme

Thanks Jimmy, but isn't that Chinese 12k the same stone that's listed in the classicshaving.com website? It's mined from the same area in China at least.

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Yes it is . They charge more for the Chinese then Woodcraft but less for the Norton 4/8 so I guess Classic is your best bet. I didn't realize they carried the Norton. :shrug:

Thanks Jimmy,

I reckon I'll go with the Chinese 12k and the Norton 4k/8k. Will be good, for a first set of hones anyway before I can rack up 'adorable points' enough with the other half to spend more cash...:hmmm:

I arrive in Hanoi tomorrow lunchtime so I'll finally be able to order em.

Jigme