Thread: Next step up from Norton 8K

I use a Norton 1K as my bevel setter.
An inspection with a Veho 004 microscope then tells me whether the bevel goes all the way to the edge.
One I'm happy the bevel is perfect I move onto the Norton 4/8K.
80 laps on my strop and my razors pass the hht on about 20% of attempts.

I now want to get an even nicer mirror like finish on the edge and smoother shave results.
Have a budget of about £50 to spend.
Are the micro fiber cloths available in the UK? Seen some crazy finishes achieved withe them on your tube.
Am I better off investing in a 12K stone and if so what are my choices within my budget?
I see a Shapton M5 12K can be had for about £65.

Any advise is most welcome

Naniwa 12k

I would recommend the Naniwa 12k. Best for the money and better than other, more expensive options, IMO.

Get a Chinese natural stone (C12k). Cheap, and most of them are decent finishers and finer than a Norton 8k. Since you know how to hone on a man made stone, you may also try a natural.

a recent discussion (i'm sure there have been a dozen others):

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...-now-what.html

me myself personally (not a pro), i learned to use my coticule properly and also took advantage of the Zulu Gray discount. (after being told to get a nani 12k, which i'll get eventually i'm sure.)

The Naniwa seems to be around the £100 mark.
A bit more that I have to spend.

I'll have to decide between the Chinese 12k and this one:
WIDE NATURAL RAZOR HONE LLYN MELYNLLYN SHARPENING STONE 12000 GRITS 150MM LONG | eBay

Btw is the best place to get the Chinese 12k theinvisibleedge?

Guess those micro fiber cloths aren't all that great then...

There is nothing wrong with the nanocloth. It's just that most of us prefer honing over stropping. I guess.
There are many places to get the C12k, all you have to do is search. The invisible edge does have it.
Leaving in UK it's almost a shame not to get a stone mined from there. I'm not sure which one, search, and with a bit of luck you'll find some good pieces. I don't find the dragon's tongue or the purple Llyn Mellynllyn the finest stones for finishing, but they are not expensive either. And the vintage ones seem to be finer. Whatever you choose, good luck.

A Thuringian can be a good choice as well. Gives a very nice edge. (For me much better then a C12.)

Hello from across the Big Pond!

Be patient and shave your shekels, when you have enough to buy the Naniwa 12K, then do so!

You will not find a better BANG for the BUCK!!!!!

My hat is off to those who use the Natural rocks, but the synthetics are Consistent! I have a friend who has literally spent thousands of dollars, buying and selling to find the 'Right Stone' that works for him!!

I've honed for one of your countrymen who is in Bolton, you can ask him what he thinks of the edge of the the Naniwa 12k!

Sanfte Rasur, mein Klingenbruder!

(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)

+1 on what cudarunner says. Naniwa 12k is the one. I have a number of razors honed by cud and the edges are divine.