Thread: New Hones

Ok so I have been researching a lil bit on here and a lot of the general discussion thread on hones are pretty old. So I want to revive the topic a lil bit.

I have finally found someone in my area that is willing to teach me how to hone. (thnk you to Mr 10Pups/ Jerry) Therefore, I would like to get all the opinions and suggestions on the matter before I purchase my stones. I notice many of you use a different brand per grit

From what I have seen Norton seem to be the popular item. What I am asking is what stones would you recommend. I dont mind getting a diiferent brand for different grits. But if I can see you guys progression, brands, pros and cons, and why you specifically like each stone.

The more detailed the better.

I only use Norton and Naniwa, because they just work so well. I use Norton 1, 4 and 8K, and Naniwa 12K. There are others that work well, I'm sure, but I think most people find the above stones to be standard set. Some guys don't care for the feel of the Norton 1K or 4K, so they might substitute a Naniwa stone of similar grit. I think a lot of people agree, however, that the Norton 8K is a very nice stone. It feels like butter and puts a nice edge on a razor.

I have often seen Chosera i think the name is for the lower grit stones

Originally Posted by MinATX

I only use Norton and Naniwa, because they just work so well. I use Norton 1, 4 and 8K, and Naniwa 12K. There are others that work well, I'm sure, but I think most people find the above stones to be standard set. Some guys don't care for the feel of the Norton 1K or 4K, so they might substitute a Naniwa stone of similar grit. I think a lot of people agree, however, that the Norton 8K is a very nice stone. It feels like butter and puts a nice edge on a razor.

I own Nortons 220/1000, 4000/8000. with a Chinese finishing stone. I also own a whole range of Arkie oil stones, and recently got to barrow a complete set of Niniwa stones from 1000 to 12000(4 stones). In the last 3 years I have sharpened about 40 razors for people I know and have come to the conclusion if I had to do it over again I wouldn't have purchased the Norton set of stones. It is not that there is anything wrong with the nortons, I just feel I get a better edge from my oil stones, that is until I used the Niniwa's. It seems to me that I get better feed back from the Niniwa's, almost as good as my Oils. If I was inclined to buy another set of stones, I really do think I would buy the Niniwa set, and not just for the feed back. Other reasons would be that 1) not as much lapping (ever time I take a look at the Nortons I have to lap them, why? I think because the are soaked and dried,as that I do not use them every day and will store them for a month or more at a time) 2) Use, no soaking just wet and sharpen. I must give cuto's to the Norton 8k, it is a very great stone for polishing and works fairly fast. Hope that helps.

I'm a honing newbie, but man I love my Nani SS 1k! A lot of my work seems to be done at this level on restores so I would suggest spending a lil extra to get something nice and wide as well. Norton 4/8 is great although not a big fan of the gritty feeling at 4k. I just recently started using the coticule and love it. Certainly a learning curve on the coticule, but I like not needing to constantly change out stones. I'm still figuring out finishers that work for me. I would agree with Scotishcavalir; if I had a Dolorean and some plutonium I'd buy the Naniwa set instead of initially getting a Norton.

It always depends on your budget and how you want to spread that budget.

There are several systems. And if you want to keep things simple it is best to stick to a system until you understand how different hones may have a slightly different effect on a bevel even when your going from one hone directly to another with everything seemingly identical.

The systems that appear most often and that are easiest to get would be.

Naniwa super stones.
Naniwa chosera
Norton
Shapton
King


If you are looking to setup and have funds that are available then I would pick your first stones to sit at about 3-4K and 6-8K. In doing this you avoid the expensive 10-12K range, And when you can shave from 6-8K you know that you are ready to add in the next stone to get that little bit more.

My first stone was the King 1/6 combi. This is a super budget stone that works. The 1K is a little bit too course and acts as more of a bevel setter, but the 6K side is good enough to shave from. After 6 months of shaving I was already looking to replace the 6K with a Naniwa progression 5, 8, 12K. The 1K side is still in my rotation until I replace it at the end of the year.

The other solid option for a budget stone is the Norton 4/8K combi. It has a good following on here and is generally regarded as a benchmark stone. Things are either better or worse than this stone. It's a little more expensive than the king, But for the money you get a wider thicker stone.


If your wanting to avoid the budget range and step up Your choices change a little. You need to be looking at your finishing stone and buying the lower grit stones now so you can just drop in the final finishers at a later date.

You have several options.

Shapton do a full range of stones.
Naniwa super stones have a full range.
Naniwa Chosera have a full range.
King have a full range but the top end is less suited for razors.


Naniwa super stones would have a purchasing plan that looks like this.

8K + 5K first quarter. £100
12K third quarter. £75
1K + 3K Christmas. £90

Or if you can afford the full system in 1 go £265.

The 5 and 8K stones are needed for shaving. You can shave right off the 8K with some stropping. The 12K just take the edge to the next level, and the 1 and 3K stones are for when your looking on ebay and pick up razors that need the edge totally resetting.

With Naniwa Chosera the 12K is reduced to a 10K stone since there is no 12K Chosera, These stones are regarded as been better than the super stones, The super stones are fantastic in there own right.

Regardless of the system you choose you are going to need a lapping plate. A diamond 325 or 400 grit plate that is guaranteed flat is your best purchase. Ezlap, DMT and Atoma all do suitable plates. This plate should be seen as an essential part of your system without it you cannot guarantee the surface of your hones. Get a plate that is at least 8 inches long and at least 2 inches wide.


Your also going to learn to hone with 10pups, Give him a call and ask for 2 sessions. The first on his rocks so you can have a feel of them, and the second on your own rocks. Chances are he will have a few stones to show you, and you will like 1 more than the others. He might not be cool with this so ask him first.

I think you are doing yourself a service by thinking out the system you want.

I kind of went piece meal, even overlapping some knife stones with some straight stones... and though it all worked out, a system when starting out really helps! Put some thought into strops and any kind of pastes you might want too. There are more than a few pastes that for all intents and purpose, are backward stepping if you have a 12k finishing stone. Pastes and strops should in my opinion N.O.T be an afterthought!!

Were I to do it over, I would probably get Shapton's. I was worried that I would break then when I was deciding, but the truth is, all stones are fragile! The glass backing I think would aid in "flatness," and I understand they last longer.

I know norton are available at SRD. Where can I find Naniwa and Shaptons stones.

If 10 pups is going to coach you... follow his advice and buy what he recommends, so you are both on the same page.

Really it does not matter, they all do the same thing and technique is way more important than brand name.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

If 10 pups is going to coach you... follow his advice and buy what he recommends, so you are both on the same page.

Really it does not matter, they all do the same thing and technique is way more important than brand name.

+1. see what 10 pups is using and get a feel for them. I've tried most of them and like the norton 4/8 best of that grit range, but they are all good.