Thread: "Softness" of a Naniwa 8K

Naniwa SS are a much "Softer" hone then most others they just are , in fact that is one of the properties that makes them excellent "Polishers" and a perfect match for the Finicky, Chippy, Harder, blades.. (We are talking perspective here)
Keep that in mind when doing Gymnastics on them... I have shaved the sides of mine every now and then with a razor that has a Off Shoulder

You should not Soak them, that being said I am pretty bad about doing it, and I have had no issues with mine so I seriously doubt your 5-10 minute "Faux" pas will hurt anything

Where on your stone is the gouge? If it's close to the end you could just leave it and let it lap out over time.

Originally Posted by Vasilis

Porous stones do generally get softer after soaking. And naniwa superstones are indeed quite soft, but I like it.
If you have to use pressure to remove more metal, you might as well try a coarser stone.
There is no reason to use too much pressure, and, this way the edge is not evenly honed, as the pressure is uneven on the whole surface that touches the stone.
For your stone now, if you can't feel the damage with your finger or nail (and the stone is not defective, a rare thing) don't worry about it.

@Vasili,
I started with the troubled toe at the 1K and kept up the "creative honing" right through the 12K. Shaves fine. The tip *was* a problem area when honing, but with the lifting of the spine and consistent passes(as much as I could do by hand), I achieved some success.

As per you advice with my stone, that's exactly what I did... Kept on a keepin' on.

So softness. Does the lower grit of a 3k have anything to do with the softness of the Naniwa stone over the higher grit 8K? Just by experience, I'd imagine, yes, but I'll wait to hear more. I would say the 12K feels pretty soft and smooth and gives great feedback through the razor to the hand.

@Ed, no worries. The stuff you've already learnt... You can't even see me in the rear mirror. btw- you're right. It will lap out over time.

@Glen, sorry I missed you post before posting this. Very appreciated. I'm a little anal on the soaking I'd done. It has *never* been 10 minutes, maybe 5 minutes *once*.

...... Here ya go, Ed.

Originally Posted by Siguy

...... Here ya go, Ed.

You forgot to draw the smiley mouth ?
So that looks kind of 2/3 of the way down, and fairly shallow, so the question is, can you work with it and lap it out over time, or is it in your way?
And seriously, I have only received my 1-8k hones today, up until now I have had a 10 and 12k so I wouldn't say I know more, I just know different.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

You forgot to draw the smiley mouth ?

So that looks kind of 2/3 of the way down, and fairly shallow, so the question is, can you work with it and lap it out over time, or is it in your way?

And seriously, I have only received my 1-8k hones today, up until now I have had a 10 and 12k so I wouldn't say I know more, I just know different.

Dear Ed, to do so might be construed a bit to forward in some circles. I'll have to hone my interpersonal skills (har, har)

And, yes, Yep, Affirmative. Honed through the 8K, 12K with no problems. CrOxed, stropped and shaved. SRPers to the rescue again.

Smiley and Kudly Regards,

Originally Posted by Siguy

@Vasili,
I started with the troubled toe at the 1K and kept up the "creative honing" right through the 12K. Shaves fine. The tip *was* a problem area when honing, but with the lifting of the spine and consistent passes(as much as I could do by hand), I achieved some success.

As per you advice with my stone, that's exactly what I did... Kept on a keepin' on.

So softness. Does the lower grit of a 3k have anything to do with the softness of the Naniwa stone over the higher grit 8K? Just by experience, I'd imagine, yes, but I'll wait to hear more. I would say the 12K feels pretty soft and smooth and gives great feedback through the razor to the hand.

@Ed, no worries. The stuff you've already learnt... You can't even see me in the rear mirror.

My experience with tips is, when it's a pain to hone it, you will actually experience pain on the shave.
I don't think the softness has something to do with the grit. The ratio of binder/abrasive is somewhat specific, for stones of similar grit of a line from a company, as far as I know.

It looks to me that your kind of worried because you think you made your Naniwa 8k softer because you soaked too long. I got the Naniwa 8k and let me tell you, it is too soft, I think it is softer than my Naniwa 12k. that is the way the stone is made, soft.

I'd use a dmt 325 then lap with a nagura and work away the gouge. Rinse well and carry on