Thread: Help for new stone purchase..

A lot depends on your experience and how much honing you intend to do.

If you are fairy new to honing and are just maintaining a few razors, keep it simple. The 12K Super Stone is a no brainer and very well proven performer, post 8K. And if later, you progress to the GS20k, the 12K SS is a nice and proven step to it.

As said many of the stones listed will have a learning curve and may not deliver expected results.

There is a reason so many have made the 12KSS a key component of their progression, it is also a very aggressive and versatile stone.

You can re-invent the wheel… but why?

Many thanks to all the posters in reply to my question. The insight & advice ...Priceless! Anyway, I decided to go with the Naniwa 12kSS, to succeed from the Norton 8k
Mainly because of the differences between the resin bound and the glass stones, but also for the closer progression rather than going from 8 to 15-20. While much of my collection is for art and U.S. history, there are many that just need some help to be shave worthy. So this stone is going to get a workout and I expect some nice results, after 15 years of shaving with nothing finer than the 8k. Maybe one day I'll pop for a GS and a finer polish, but I first need to peddle some more shavers. Again, thx to all.

Good choice. I have the Naniwa 1, 5, 8, 12. After the 12, I use a pasted 4 sided strop and that smooths out the (fins) edge nicely, then it goes to the leather strop. I liked the diamond paste followed by the Chrom.

Paster

I have been wanting the Suehiro 20k for some time but the pricing keeps pushing me away.

Originally Posted by jgkeegan

I have been wanting the Suehiro 20k for some time but the pricing keeps pushing me away.

What price have you been seeing.

Originally Posted by jgkeegan

I have been wanting the Suehiro 20k for some time but the pricing keeps pushing me away.

Originally Posted by rlmnshvstr8

What price have you been seeing.

Lately, I have seen prices for the full sized stones ranging from the low $200s to the high $400s and an eBay offer of $300 ($50/month/6 months).

If I came across an edge pro sized one (1" x 6"), I'd probably give it some thought.

--james

Welcome back James !

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Welcome back James !

Why thanks. I was never really gone as in gone; more like living a lot of changes in my life many of which are still ongoing.

As always, this is good place for me.

I've had the Suehiro 20k for 6 weeks, and although more an amateur, I have enjoyed it's ways. Now, it's expensive and in itself takes time to use properly, I'd simply say that it is not a problem to go from a 10k to the 20k. It is a stone that requires some learning to use well, so don't just pull it out of the box and expect miracles, it takes work, but is worth it. You won't dish it it your lifetime, it's a durable stone. For a pro, it may need lapping now and then, but in general it's hard and flat. Enjoy. Bob

Originally Posted by bobski

I've had the Suehiro 20k for 6 weeks, and although more an amateur, I have enjoyed it's ways. Now, it's expensive and in itself takes time to use properly, I'd simply say that it is not a problem to go from a 10k to the 20k. It is a stone that requires some learning to use well, so don't just pull it out of the box and expect miracles, it takes work, but is worth it. You won't dish it it your lifetime, it's a durable stone. For a pro, it may need lapping now and then, but in general it's hard and flat. Enjoy. Bob

My anal nature compels me to lap my synthetics after each use. I was curious about the maintenance on a Suehiro 20k. Actually I have read some complimentary reviews about several of the Suehiro line.

--james