Thread: Honing Stones..

Hi, can i get some more advise please.
I have been looking into honing stones.
At first i wanted the Belgium Coticule stones but since doing a bit of online reading it seems the Naniwa Super Stones are prefered.
I want to buy the Naniwa 5k and a 12k and also some of that green oxide paste.
Does that make sense to you guys?
My blades dont get dull dull, i only shave once a week and stropping keeps um good.
I have one blade which is a dull and i cant bare tethought of it sitting there dull.
Would these three items be good for me?
Many thanks in advance for your advise..

That's a big jump from 5k to 12, you might need something in the 8k range as well.

If are just touching up your own razor, a Norton 4k/8k and the Naniwa 12k + the CrOx should do it. You could also sub a Chinese 12k for the Naniwa (keep in mind they can be variable, C12k)

Originally Posted by rodb

That's a big jump from 5k to 12, you might need something in the 8k range as well.

If are just touching up your own razor, a Norton 4k/8k and the Naniwa 12k + the CrOx should do it. You could also sub a Chinese 12k for the Naniwa (keep in mind they can be variable, C12k)

I wanted to get the 5 and 12k and bypass inbetween to save money im feeling cheap.. I think the norton alone is £150 ..

Yes not cheap at all!! That's why I mentioned the C12k as they are way cheaper than the Naniwa

Originally Posted by JOB15

I wanted to get the 5 and 12k and bypass inbetween to save money im feeling cheap.. I think the norton alone is £150 ..

You wouldn't really save money by skipping steps like that, especially when learning to hone. You'd end up with something that wouldn't really get the job done (depending on what job you're trying to do). If you want to spend less, you could get the norton 4/8K (an 8K used to be the norm to finish on) and then get your chromium oxide paste to polish the edge further than the 8K...just use it sparingly so you don't get a wire edge. Naniwa also makes a 3/8 combo stone, which would be a bit easier to set a bevel on than the 4K. If you want a cheaper stone, look for the Taidea stones on ebay. They are corundum stones that some guys here have used and are decent (do a SRP search for taidea to read what they have to say). I got a 3K from the seller "hellogiftshop" for $35 CAD. While these stones are decent and a bit cheaper...there is a point where you may as well just get a norton. Also keep in mind that naniwa stones are softer stones and will need regular lapping. Taidea stones are harder by comparison.
You could also just get a coticule like you were already thinking and go from heavy to no slurry, progressively to do one stone honing.

Originally Posted by kwlfca

You wouldn't really save money by skipping steps like that, especially when learning to hone. You'd end up with something that wouldn't really get the job done (depending on what job you're trying to do). If you want to spend less, you could get the norton 4/8K (an 8K used to be the norm to finish on) and then get your chromium oxide paste to polish the edge further than the 8K...just use it sparingly so you don't get a wire edge. Naniwa also makes a 3/8 combo stone, which would be a bit easier to set a bevel on than the 4K. If you want a cheaper stone, look for the Taidea stones on ebay. They are corundum stones that some guys here have used and are decent (do a SRP search for taidea to read what they have to say). I got a 3K from the seller "hellogiftshop" for $35 CAD. While these stones are decent and a bit cheaper...there is a point where you may as well just get a norton. Also keep in mind that naniwa stones are softer stones and will need regular lapping. Taidea stones are harder by comparison.
You could also just get a coticule like you were already thinking and go from heavy to no slurry, progressively to do one stone honing.

Hi, thanks for the info.. a few questions Whats a wire edge? and whats the difference between having a thick slurry to a no slurry? am i right in thinking the honing action is a different action on the norton than it is on the coticule? thanks

It's possible to use just one stone. If you buy a coticule and starts with slurry and slowly dissolve the slurry with water. There's a fair amount of videos out there...

A coticule would be more versatile in my opinion. They come with slurry stones and, like I mentioned earlier, you could use varying amounts of slurry to get faster cutting speeds. A heavy slurry is usually comparable to a 1K for many coticules. Slurry on a coticule will also level off at a certain point and prevent you from overhoning. You could basically dilute the slurry when the steel is ready, all the way up to polishing stage. After that, do 5 laps with the chromium oxide that you want and see where the edge stands. Maybe do an extra stoke or two if it needs it after that.
Looking back, I wish I had gone this way for my first stone. It will probably be my next stone though, so no worries.

This is probably the single most toughest decision i've ever made
Seriously i cant choose between the Coticule or the Naniwa stones.
I want the Coticule but there are factors putting me off. It cannot give an edge like the super stones. However the Super stones are boring in comparison to the Coticule.
I suppose i should just buy the Naniwa 8k and 12k and maybe a touch of diamond spray and just get on with life
I only need to refresh my blades rarley.

I started off with a coticule and never quite mastered it in just over half a year. Synthetics are simply more reliable, and indeed, more boring. Myself, I'm saving some money for the Shapton 4K and 8K, having tried a few naturals that I just cannot seem to get a sharp enough edge off.