[Hones] Arkansas, Awaseto, Taidea.

Hey,

This is my first post on SRP, although I've been using this site as a source of information for a couple of months now. The time has come, I switched from shavette to a real razor. I saved some money and bought myself a new DOVO Genuine Ebony "Silver Steel" 5/8 Straight Razor. It came presharpened by a manufacturer, so it's time to get a real edge on it. I live in Poland and access to certain products mite be difficult as straight-razor shaving isn't popular here. I managed to find a few good looking hones, all #8000.

This is what I found, each stone is around $40
Kamie naturalny ARKANSAS, blok, gradacja 6000-8000 - 4. *Akcesoria do ostrzenia / 4.1. *kamienie do ostrzenia rcznego / kamienie naturalne - DLUTA.pl
Kamie japoski naturalny AWASETO, kawaki, gradacja 6000-8000 - 4. *Akcesoria do ostrzenia / 4.1. *kamienie do ostrzenia rcznego / japoskie kamienie naturalne - DLUTA.pl
KuchniaChinska.pl

I hope it's not a problem if I post it in polish right? :) I'm wondering weather I should go for Arkansas or Japan whetstones and if Japan then should it be Taidea or Awesto. I searched for info on every hone but as mentioned on the wiki, different perston - different opinion. Let's get it straight, these are cheap stones and I don't expect them to last decades but maybe you could give me some hints, what can I expect from arkansas or Awesto, are these brands even worth looking at?

Thanks :)
wojtek

Since we are all fluent in polish here yes why not post ? ";"

For maintenance of the edge a good 8k stone can do the trick.
Arkansas stones can vary a lot, same with the Jnats it is best if you could try them to know that you like best.
If you can get a synthetic I'd advise to go for Norton 4/8k, it is a very nice hone that can do a little bit more than maintaining an edge when needed.

"Awaseto" Just means finishing hone. It could be good for razors, might not. No idea what Taidea means.

If I were you, I'd get a set from Open_Razor on ebay. He's in Krakow, should be able to set you up.

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Since we are all fluent in polish here yes why not post ?

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http://speaktopower.org/wp-content/u.../02/oh_rly.jpg

Links were only to provide some pics :P

Okay, the Awaseto hone from the links is exactly the same as Honyama Bruchsteine | DICTUM GmbH - Mehr als Werkzeug
The Taidea is chinese 8k Aluminium oxide hone.

How about a Coticule in good price . Its a bout standard. Bad point is that they don't sell them with slurry stone.Coticule
Altough you'll not need a slurry stone for freshing up a blade.

I bought taidea hones when I started and they worked fine for me for a long time. I got the 5k and 8k. I think open_razor sells them, or used to anyways, I did get mine from Poland.

I agree with mainaman, norton 4k/8 is good, they can do more than maintaining the edge.