Thread: starter hone

I'm in the market to buy my first hone, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Norton 4k/8k combo stone, and the Naniwa Super 3k/8k combo stone. Obviously they both work fine. Is there any special reason to pay the extra $20 (at least) for the Naniwa?

Thanks.

I have the Norton combo that you talk about. And I like it just fine, although they require soak time. I think but am not sure that the Naniwa's do not require soak time, which appeals to me. I leave my Norton's soaking all the time so not a big deal.
I'm sure someone who is more educated on hones will have a better answer.......

Soak time is a factor imo. Your ready to hone but have to wait at least for the 4k side. The 8 is splash and hone imo. I have chosera which are made by naniwa so very similar. I would get the naniwa but its your money. For the xtra 20 its a bargain imo.

I have the naniwas and you just spray with water and your ready. I have a hone that requires soaking but no longer use as I can't be bothered waiting. I think the Norton is a softer stone too but don't quote me on it. Also the naniwa 12k is recommend as a finisher and its nice too have them all the same. Good luck

That depends on you. Here are some factors to consider:

* The Norton stone requires a soak time before each use.
* The Naniwa stone does not require soaking; you just splash on some water before use.
* The Norton requires a significant amount of lapping per side. Those stones are far from flat when they are new.
* The Naniwa requires little lapping.
* The Norton saves you $20 over the Naniwa.
* You will need a lapping stone, plate, or similar method for the Norton or Naniwa.

My setup is a Woodcraft 1K, Norton 4K/8K, and Naniwa Super 12K. I keep the 1K and 4K/8K stones in water at all times, so soak time is not an issue for me. But, I don't hone a lot in one sitting, so I wouldn't mind waiting for the soak time anyway.

I sharpen my kitchen knives about once a month on a 1K/6K waterstone. I always soak this stone before use and I don't mind the wait.

All of my stones were lapped on a DMT 325.

Thanks a lot, Henry. That's very helpful. I was kind of looking for an excuse to buy Naniwas, and you gave me a couple.

wet dry sandpaper on glass or something flat works fine for lapping

Yeah, I plan on using a granite surface plate w/wet-dry.

As long as the surface is true it will do.

Be sure to remove any stickers from the back of the sandpaper if there are any, they will make holes in your paper.