From the top of the pyramid looking down

Fellas,

I have only one hone. A Naniwa 12k with about a months practice under my belt. Honing is clearly as addictive as stropping, razor shopping, perusing the forum, etc., but that's just an aside.

I'd like to hear the approaches and strategies for those honers who started off with a 12K or higher hone as their first and found themselves looking down the mountain(that is, lower grit hones). Where did you go from there? And, why?

The "If I had to do it all over again" gents input is also welcomed.

Naniwa 3/8k combo or Norton 4/8k combo ?? Anybody?

Either or would work fine. Naniwa is splash and hone. The nortons are soakers(4k side anyway). WHen you ask about a bevel setter, I may insist you buy a chosera! LOL. If I had to do it again though, I would get a full spread of choseras 600 thru 10k and suehiro 15 and 20k like I have now.

Yeah, Bill. I don't have any razors that need bevel setting at the moment. Buuuut.... there's this certain 'tique store that's been holding onto a dozen or so dust collecting razors...

That's where this is all going. I've looked at them(albeit, not with the loupe yet) and I'm wondering whether bevel can be set with a SS 3k and a slurry. I've been really surprised what I could do to Frederick Reynolds that I fubared while shining to the point where it wouldn't pass the HHT. I should also mention that I did a heel out mod on that one. 12k+heavy slurry working it up to just water, I can tell you that I shaved with that one today and it was absolutely silky... so... 3K+slurry=bevel setting capable?? Hmmm...

I know I could cheap out and just get a King 1k and be just fine with that... I working on a budget here, so who knows... a Chosera to my 12k jump feasible+CrOx felt+CrOx leather+strop??

12k naniwa imo is a great finisher. If you are considering restores and ebay and antique stuff, you will kick yourself that you didn't get a chosera 600. JMHO. You can do a bevel with a 3k. You can do one with a 12k also. My point is that some of these need so much bevel work. If you have the moolah and you are passionate about it go for it. Besides you will save on shipping if you buy em all at the same time.LOL. I may be the wrong guy to ask though as I have a lot of stones. ANd I use them regularly. Norton 4/8 or naniwa 3/8 is a great next step. Maybe you can do one thing at a time. But I will tell you that some ebay stuff will have you up all night and day if you get some like Ive seen.

I hear the Naniwa SS are pretty universal in their traits. So, If bevel can be set off a 4k, I'll bet I could dirty down a 3K and be able to set the bevel. All my razors, with the exception of my first SRP buy and a donor, are 'tique buys. Fortunately, the edges weren't in too bad shape(aside from the crack on one heel near the shoulder I had to remove).

I've run out of things to strop and hone. :boohoo:

I feel your pain, mate.
I just got my Chosera 1K and haven't got anything to set the bevel on. :cry:
I've just got to bite the bullet and pin my 7/8 Filly and scale my 7/8 Tally Ho (can't wait to see how the Chosera performs on that one)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Siguy

I've run out of things to strop and hone. :boohoo:

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I dunno, I like my 3K/8K combo Nani and if the edge is not too buggered up it does the job. For a really bad chippy blade I like the 1K Nani. I would go the same route again, no regrets.

Bob

I don't have the Naniwa 3/8 combo, I have the 1k, 5k, 8k, and 12k.
I have set more than one bevel on the 5k so I have no doubt the 3k can do it.
The 1k is an affordable addition if needed/when.
The King is even less and more than adequate for setting bevels.

If you are asking what bevel setter is recommended, just look at what all the honing veterans are using: Chosera 1K

From there, you cannot go wrong with either of the big three synthetics, it's a preference thing. My choice in order of preference, by experience, is:
Chosera 1K, Shapton GS 2,4,8,16 followed by natural finisher or just off the stone. I liked the Norton 4/8 combination stone second, followed by the Naniwa SS 3,5,8,12K. I have sold off most all of my other synthetics besides the Shapton's now as they do it all for me.