I am looking for a finishing hone to compliment my 4K/8K Norton. Looking at the 12K Naniwa or 16K Shapton. I realize that this might be a highly debatable topic. What are the differences in the material they are made of, quality, and performance?
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I am looking for a finishing hone to compliment my 4K/8K Norton. Looking at the 12K Naniwa or 16K Shapton. I realize that this might be a highly debatable topic. What are the differences in the material they are made of, quality, and performance?
The Naniwa is the better option. The 15K is a hit-or-miss proposition even for experienced honers. Coming from a 5K JIS stone (Norton's grades are ANSI) means you'll need to spend time refining your edge, and the Naniwa is a less-aggressive stone. The 12K gives a very smooth result over a much wider variety of steel types.
I recently changed my Norton 4/8k for Naniwa Professional 3k and 5k ( I already had Naniwa 10K) and am very pleased with their performance. I've had the Shapton for some time and just cannot get used to it - so my advice would be the Naniwa, but go for the Professional series even though they are more expensive.
When I was in this spot I went with the Naniwa 12k and would do it again.
Easy to learn, consistent results and it seems to work well with everything I try.
Let us know whatever you decide works out of you..
I have a Naniwa 12K SS; later bought a Zulu Grey. Haven't used the Naniwa since.....
Either will work...
I have used both, probably the Shapton more so in the Norton 4/8 into 16k then any other since it was my first "Finisher"
The Naniwa 12k just feels better and is a bit more versatile IME, so if I knew then what I know now I would chose the Naniwa :)
This is one of the advantages of using the Norton 4/8 or the Naniwa 3/8 once you get it tweaked you can go just about any direction you want to now :)
naniwa 12k is my vote, hard to beat
+1...I'm in the Naniwa 12K camp as well. Very easy to use with consistent results no matter the steel. The 5-8-12K Naniwa finishing progression is hard to beat IMO...
For me the naniwa 12K is the easiest to use. So simple. I use the Naniwa 1-3-5-8-12K and finish with the Suehiro 20K. Until I got the 20K I stopped with the 12KNaniwa and it did a reall good job. I'm not a pro like some of the folks out there but get a decent shave off the edges I create thanks to the pros and there videos.Quote:
Originally Posted by Straightandproud
Well it sounds like most prefer the Naniwa. Thanks to everyone that chimed in I won't have to try both.
The only 12k I am finding is the Naniwa super stone. No professional in 12K. Is the Super Stone the one to get?
i think the professional series only goes up to 10k , the sharpening series ( was the super stone ,has the 12k)
i always thought my razors felt good on the SS 12k , the only thing i didnt like was that after i was done i didnt like the crisp sharp feel that the 12k left , and now finish on just a coticule or thuri , or thuri after a coticule
The super stone/speciality come in 12k the chosera/professional only go up to 10k.Quote:
Originally Posted by Straightandproud
Ok, that clears it up.Quote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
The 12k will be white. Sharpening supplies has it $104 but I got mine here for a lot less
http://www.knivesandtools.co.uk/en/p...ning-stone.htm
I love the edge I get with the naniwa 12K. I use the Apache strata after the naniwa and it WOWS ME
yes, but that is without a base. That's ok too I guess but I like them with the rubber base for the same money
I have a mat I got at wal mart it's a kitchen counter anti slip mat and I lay the stone on it and hone. works fine. stone doesn't slip at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by cubancigar2000
another consideration is the stone without base is only half as thick. I feel that's a biggy
True, with the SRD stone you still need to buy the base and lapping stone, if you don't already have them.
It is important to me to get it up off the table. doing it on a mat does not give much clearance. good luck in your purchase
Suehiro 15k .. A very overlooked finisher because the 20 k is so popular.. But it's very easy to use and produces a fantastic edge ..costly yes .. Oh forgot to mention the apache natural for about 80 bucks water only finisher pretty straight forward to use also with consistent results
I've posted time and time again that if you can't get a CCC shave (Clean Close & Comfortable) shave off of an 8K edge then chasing the more expensive 'finisher's and or using 'Magic Pastes and Sprays' to make your shaves smooth is a waste of time, money and material.
With that said the Naniwa12K has been a real workhorse for me :tu
I've sent close to a couple of hundred razors back to guys with their razors finished on it and have had nice reviews and not ONE Complaint!
The new ones don't come like mine (with a base attached) but believe me the smaller size that I have is of no matter, it will be many years before I even put a dent in it with lapping and I do lap it Every time I use it!
And a stone holder is less than $20 and it might be enough to get free shipping from where you purchase it at :shrug:
I do now use a Zulu but I also still use the Naniwa 12k with slurry before I go to the Z.
For a note; I just sent a razor back to a friend with the Z edge on it and he's thinking that he'd 'prefer' the Naniwa and it's slightly 'crispy' feel. Believe me it's not harsh by any means it's just 'different' but I've enjoyed it for many years and I do think that you will also.
Enjoy the Ride! :tu
I use the Naniwa Hayabusa 4K and Fuji 8K after bevel set on either a Chosera1K or 3K.
If you can max out on an 8K stone you can take that edge right to the Suehiro Gokumyo 20K, I get a great edge on almost all razors that I have tried. Not the cheapest setup but I'm finding it very consistent and easy.
I have shaved off of the Nani 12K and done well I could shave off this finisher every day.
Yeah the Naniwa 12K seems to have a universal following we all can't be wrong it's so easy to use and the edges are so persistently good off that stone.
I will buck the trend then. i dont find the 12 k to finish well. I feel the stone is too soft and the edge is nothing to write home about. All the naniwas are soft imo. And theyre gummy and need constant lapping. I like chosera and suehiros for synths. Faster cutters, better edges. More money but its worth it imo. Not trying to make a fuss, just my humble opinion.
Either one.