Is Adding a 3k Stone into the Mix Worth it?

Hello...I can do a decent job honing a razor but believe there is always room for improvement. My current set up is a flight of Naniwa Super Stones 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k. I also have a coticule, BBW, and chunk of Welsh slate which I am continuing to learn. Must say I get more consistent results (and more easily) from the Naniwas.

Recently I stumbled upon a fair deal for a Shapton 3k Glass Stone. Question being..would this be worth acquiring and fitting into the progression of the Naniwa SS scheme, or would it be redundant??

Thanks..........

You could try the 3K and see if you like it. I use the same progression as you are using daily with great results and although I have tried it with a 3K and a 10K in the progression, I have not found the end result to differ at all. YMMV.

Have fun.

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Lynn uses a 1k--5k progression. Since it works for him without an intermediate, no you do not NEED a 3k hone between the 1k and 5k.

Personally prefer to use as small of grit jumps as possible, so I FEEL better using two hones between the 1k and 5k. However, if I were to pick only one, it would be a 2k to follow the 1k because of the logarithmic progression of the grit sizes.

In general, it is better not to switch around with different brands of hones as their grit sizes and characteristics might not play well together. In other words, it would probably be better to put a SuperStone between the two SuperStones but I would guess a GlassStone 3k would be fine for that transition if you really want it.

No. If you were missing the 5k stone it might make more sense. Otherwise, as fast as synthetics cut and as deep as they cut, there's no great reason to have 3k and 5k stones.

There's other variables, too, the type of abrasive, hardness of the binder and the particle size. It's not necessarily the case that they are very far apart in general effect.

I have the Naniwa 1K- and the combination stone of 3/8 naniwa then the 12K and getting OK results. I'm thinking of getting the 20K stone for a better finisher. I've had good results with the naniwa and consistent .

The 1,5,8,12K Super Stone is a good progression with the 1-5 being a large jump to the 5K, whose job is to reduce the deepest 1K stria.

But, yes it would be redundant. As the 5K may take a few extra laps but not that many, especially if you begin the polish on the 1k.

The goal of bevel setting is to make the bevels flat and bring the two bevels together in a straight sharp edge. Once the bevels are flat each progressive stone just removes the previous stria further refining the edge.

Once you have established a set bevel, do 10 “no pressure” full laps to reduce the land height and begin the polishing process. This will greatly reduce the amount of time and laps you will need to do on you 5K (or whatever you next stone is) and prevent the temptation to use pressure on the 5K, (to remove the 1K stria) and potentially cause problems with the edge.

You have a good progression, your goal now is to learn how to squeeze the maximum performance from each stone.

Learn the Super Stones first, then experiment with the natural finishers, the 12k will produce a fine shaving edge that will become your gold standard.

I added a 2k hone to my progression and consistently get better results since I did. I've got Shapton Ceramic Pro stones and I use 1k, 2k, 5k, 8k and 12k.

Good advice all. Thank you. I think I'll save my pennies. Gonna have to come up with some serious coin for the Brian Brown next year (or maybe sooner, doubtful that though) anyway.