Thread: Looking for first set of stones

Wow, I am overwhelmed by all the advice, thanks alot!

I do live in Sweden, and have found the Norton to be hard to find here, and when found it's very expensive. I did however find the Naniwa 3k/8k in Germany for what seems to be a decent price at 79 Euro (https://www.fine-tools.com/naniwa-stones.html)

My straight collection only consists of one gold dollar that is not shave ready, and a PIF'ed Wilbert Cutlery 5/8 full hollow that was honed before it got PIF'ed to me. The later one is however in need of a touchup as it started to pull.

At the moment I am moving more and more away from DE's and towards straights, so the collection is likely to grow over time. I do think the ones I will be buying will be shave ready. I like the possibility to have both a 3k and a 8k though, if the edge I get from the 8k will provide me with a good shave.

The Chinese 12k looks good for my budget, but I've read so many mixed reviews wich makes me unconvinced.

While I'm here I'll throw another question out here, do you guys know any European shop that sells DMT 325 or any other good lapping stone?

Best regards

I like the naniwa 12k to start with, just to reiterate what has already been said. I understand your concern of trying to keep it affordable. The thing with hones is unless you do an incredible amount of honing or, God forbid, drop or lose it, you'll have it for the rest of your life. The ease of use of a synthetic theshave from, and quick cutting of the naniwa makes it my pick. Good luck with whatever direction you choose to go.

Originally Posted by jfk742

I like the naniwa 12k to start with, just to reiterate what has already been said. I understand your concern of trying to keep it affordable. The thing with hones is unless you do an incredible amount of honing or, God forbid, drop or lose it, you'll have it for the rest of your life. The ease of use of a synthetic theshave from, and quick cutting of the naniwa makes it my pick. Good luck with whatever direction you choose to go.

I was thinking about that as well, but with my very limited knowledge I am worried that the 12k will not be enough? As it sits now it's either the combo stone or the 12k, I can't do both.

So let's put it this way; What is the combo stone capeable of in terms of how dull blades is it capable of getting shave ready? And the same question for the 12k?

I just found a lapping stone called EZE-LAP Diamond Sharpening Stones on the same site that I found the Naniwa on. Does anyone know anything about this brand?

The stones are 203x76mm and come in grits of 150/250/400/600/1200.

Originally Posted by Doxster

I just found a lapping stone called EZE-LAP Diamond Sharpening Stones on the same site that I found the Naniwa on. Does anyone know anything about this brand?

The stones are 203x76mm and come in grits of 150/250/400/600/1200.

They are pretty much the same as DMT. But since you are looking at an order on fine tools, you can also get the atoma plates. They are worth their money.

Originally Posted by Vasilis

They are pretty much the same as DMT. But since you are looking at an order on fine tools, you can also get the atoma plates. They are worth their money.

What grit number would be my best bet? 250 or 400?

Originally Posted by Doxster

What grit number would be my best bet? 250 or 400?

It depends on what you intend to do with them. For lapping, something coarse would be a better choice. For slurry making, you can buy a finer one.
I find the atoma 400 to be good at both lapping and slurry making.
If you intend to buy the eze lap plates, the finer grades are notorious for shedding diamond particles when you use them for slurry making, like the DMT, making them a bad choice for raising slurry.

Originally Posted by Doxster

But I am in need of advice. What would be a total rookies best bet? I'm not on a budget, but I don't want to shell out any outrageous amounts on my first hones, I don't even know if I'll like it.

Any help or advice is welcome.

Best regards

As you can see there are Many Alternatives out there.

I would suggest that you have it honed by someone who know what they are doing. I do have a favorite pro/PM me for a reference. Right now I'm up to my Arse in Alligators/honing and cleaning up for some guys or I'd offer to help you out for just shipping to and from.

Then once you have a truly shave ready razor in hand you will have something to gauge your 'touch ups' by.

The Barbers hone and Naniwa 12K just for touching up are nice. If you want to go lower then the Norton 4/8K is a great stone.

Please keep in mind that while just mis-stropping can foul up an edge, a hone's damage can be 1000 times worse and much harder to correct.

Here's a video to give you some ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

I hope this has been of some help and hasn't added to the confusion.

Originally Posted by Doxster

I was thinking about that as well, but with my very limited knowledge I am worried that the 12k will not be enough? As it sits now it's either the combo stone or the 12k, I can't do both.

So let's put it this way; What is the combo stone capeable of in terms of how dull blades is it capable of getting shave ready? And the same question for the 12k?

The Naniwa 3/8 is obviously more versatile and you will have no problems getting a shave ready razor on the 8k. You could remove small nicks and refresh the bevel it will just take longer as it would with the Norton 4 / 8. The Naniwa 12k is a great finishing stone but less versatile due to the single high grit. If you believe that you will be investing in more razors in the future then it is unlikely you will stick with just 1 stone so get what is best for you immediate future and it will grow as your razor collection does. The atoma 400 is an amazing lapping stone. Very quick with the added bonus of being light enough to use by hand easily without having to resort to using a stone holder.

Originally Posted by eddy79

The Naniwa 3/8 is obviously more versatile and you will have no problems getting a shave ready razor on the 8k. You could remove small nicks and refresh the bevel it will just take longer as it would with the Norton 4 / 8. The Naniwa 12k is a great finishing stone but less versatile due to the single high grit. If you believe that you will be investing in more razors in the future then it is unlikely you will stick with just 1 stone so get what is best for you immediate future and it will grow as your razor collection does. The atoma 400 is an amazing lapping stone. Very quick with the added bonus of being light enough to use by hand easily without having to resort to using a stone holder.

Thanks eddy!

I'm leaning towards the combostone at the moment. I like to have options.

I'm also leaning towards EZE-LAP due to being cheaper than Atoma. Is 400 the grit of choice there as well? Is 250 to coarse?