Thread: Chosera, Naniwa, Shapton?

Can anyone describe the differences in feel between Chosera, Naniwa, and Shapton stones?

I only used a shapton 500 once so I will leave them out. I have used naniwas and choseras quite a bit. Choseras are harder feeling and cut a little faster than naniwas IMO. They need less lapping also. But both are splash and hone.

The hardness of the stones is in this order: Superstone, Chosera, Shapton. All are very good stones and you will just get opinions from this point forward. I use Chosera 1K, Shapton GS 2,4,8,16 and then a finisher of choice. My experience with complete sets of stones are just Super Stones, Norton, Shapton GS.

First, let's fix the nomenclature...

Choseras are Naniwa Choseras.

What most are calling Naniwas are Naniwa SuperStones.

What most are calling Shaptons are the Shapton GlassStones (and they come in a few different versions). Shapton also make a Professional series that look like most other hones.

Now to the question...

The Naniwa SuperStones feel more soft compared to other hones but it is a nice buttery softness that provides excellent feedback.

The Shapton GlassStones feel more gritty/abrasive, but in a good way. You really feel like you are removing steel, and you are.

I only have the Naniwa Chosera 400, 600, 800, and 1k hones. They do feel harder than the Superstones but are very effective and forgiving.

They all feel different but they all work very well.

Naniwa or Shapton hones

Originally Posted by dgtirl1971

Naniwa or Shapton hones

What are you attempting to convey?

Originally Posted by bill3152

I only used a shapton 500 once so I will leave them out. I have used naniwas and choseras quite a bit. Choseras are harder feeling and cut a little faster than naniwas IMO. They need less lapping also. But both are splash and hone.

I've also used both Naniwa Super Stones and Choseras and agree with the above with the remark that the Choseras get thirstier at higher grits (the Chosera 5K is quite thirsty!).

BR
Jörg

To chime in for the OP, Lynn Abrams' videos on honing up razors, he comments on the differences between Shapton and Naniwa SS & Chosera. It's worth a watch and listen.

https://www.youtube.com/user/LynnSAbrams/videos

I tend to use the Shapton Pro stones for routine work, but when a razor needs a new bevel and full honing I'll go for the Naniwa Superstones. They cut faster for that kind of work, and if I could only use one set or the other, I'd probably go for them.

Chris

All I am going to say is once you get the feel of any synthetic, especially a progression of them, you are good to go. Any of the above will do! They are all great "stones," so what's left?? Longevity.

I was deciding between these 3 at one time as well. I went with the cheapest option. I am pretty sure I'll have them for my whole life.

If I was doing it over and had the cash, I would go with the Shapton Glass.