Thread: Norton Quarter-sized Honing Set

Originally Posted by Chreees

Okay, so general consensus is go full or go home... I will go with the set from SRD for $134. At the same time, though, I really want the 12k Naniwa... But that would put me well over $200. Is there another good finisher that is comparable to the 12k Naniwa? Or do I just need to adjust and shave off of the 8k Norton?

Not sure how experienced with honing you are but ....... until you are getting real good shaves at the 8k level you don't want to go beyond that to a higher grit finisher. When the razor is shaving well at 8k it is ready to go up the grit ladder to 12k or whatever. So if you are still in the learning stages just get the norton set and when you've reached proficiency with that setup look for a choice of finishers. That will give you some time to put more $ together. IMHO.

Sometimes size DOES matter. I'm not sure why anyone would want to try honing on such a tiny stone, and certainly not a beginner.

You'd be getting stones that are 2" x 3"...Don't waste your money! The smallest stones I would consider using for razors are 2" x 6", but that's just me.

Originally Posted by Chreees

Okay, so general consensus is go full or go home... I will go with the set from SRD for $134. At the same time, though, I really want the 12k Naniwa... But that would put me well over $200. Is there another good finisher that is comparable to the 12k Naniwa? Or do I just need to adjust and shave off of the 8k Norton?

Don't load up on stuff you won't use, especially starting out. The Norton flattening stone is a useless waste of money for our needs (a flattening stone that isn't flat?), and you'll likely never touch the 220 unless you get into full-on restoration. There are far better 1K stones out there (when you get to that stage) and a Norton 4K can actually set a nice bevel on a razor that isn't trashed.

So if I wanted a practical $200 setup to do regular maintenance, I'd buy these:

Naniwa 12K $72
Norton 4/8 $79
DMT Coarse $47

Learn these stones well and you can get excellent results without breaking the bank or stocking up on dust-collectors.

Just get a full size 4/8k combo and 1k Chosera and you are set for a while.
You have honing to learn before you are ready for anything above 8k.

So many different answers! Man, there really are a lot of opinions out there regarding hones, haha. I have some thinking to do... One thing is for sure: Norton 4000/8000, and DMT 325 for flattening (read that the Norton one ain't too great). I just gotta figure out what else I want/need. I really want the Naniwa 12k as I keep seeing people say amazing things about it, but some folks keep saying I won't need it... Either way I need to save up more money! Turns out wife's laptop won't cost as much to fix since I think I can do it myself once I get the part. Thank the shaving gods!

[QUOTE=Chreees;1186803]So many different answers! Man, there really are a lot of opinions out there regarding hones, haha. I have some thinking to do... One thing is for sure: Norton 4000/8000, and DMT 325 for flattening (read that the Norton one ain't too great).
No the Norton flattening stone ain't great. Mine wasn't flat, so i had to flatten the flattening stone. Too bad its a 220 or I could chop it up and use it as a slurry stone. Dmts, you know what they say, Diamonds are forever! If you can buy the right stuff slowly and you will be set at least until you see the latest and greatest! Lol. Srd has excellent prices and the service is top notch. Besides where else can you get 100s of years of combined honing and other shaving experience in 1 day. These gentleman are very generous with giving good advice. If it wasnt for them, wewould be scraping our whiskers with some POS cart instead of shaving first class. Good luck with the purchase!

curious.is the cost for 4 quarters, more than one whole? sounds like a business thing to me.

I have a set of Full size Nortons, 220/1k 4/8k and a Chinses 12k (phig). and the Norton flattening stone. If I had to do it again I'd still get the Nortons,
nix the flattening stone (I use sand paper instead, on a concrete floor (it's worked so far, and easier) I have a decent Chinese 12k aka. Phig. If I had the money I would get the 12k Naniwa instead.
I do about 100 strokes on the Chinese 12k, and if I understand the 12k Naniwa takes half the strokes or less for a finisher.

Originally Posted by Chreees

So many different answers! Man, there really are a lot of opinions out there regarding hones, haha. I have some thinking to do... One thing is for sure: Norton 4000/8000, and DMT 325 for flattening (read that the Norton one ain't too great). I just gotta figure out what else I want/need. I really want the Naniwa 12k as I keep seeing people say amazing things about it, but some folks keep saying I won't need it... Either way I need to save up more money! Turns out wife's laptop won't cost as much to fix since I think I can do it myself once I get the part. Thank the shaving gods!

As was wisely posted unless you get into restoration and are only needing to reset a bevel on a non damaged edge, all you need is the Norton 4/8K a DMT 325 and I highly recommend 2 stone holders even though the last I knew the 4/8 came with a case that ‘doubled’ as a holder.

The Norton Not Recommended? I highly recommend it as it’s a Workhorse!

As far as the Naniwa 12K, yes it gives a really nice edge. However as I’ve posted time and time and time again if I should drop and break it, I could easily live without it; however, if the same were to happen to my Norton 4/8 I’d eat peanut butter sandwiches day in and day out until I could afford another one! YES I love it that much!

When you get to the point to where you are getting nice feeling, close and smooth shaves with the N. 4/8 then and only then go to the Naniwa 12K.

Also as previously posted 99% of the art of buying, shaving with and maintaining a straight razor is ‘Personal Preference’!

Enjoy the ride! It’s a whole new but better old way of life!

ps: Glad to hear the good news about the beautiful brides computer!