Another Chosera 1k Thread....

[Denvernoob]

Ok so let me qualify my remarks by saying I had the privilege of watching and learning from Glen honing in person yesterday at the Denver GTG....an eye opening experience for sure. With that in mind, take everything I have to say here with a grain of salt as I am a fairly new honer, I certainly do not hone in high volume, and my technique when bevel setting still needs some work, though after yesterday I feel like I am still moving in the right direction....

I have a pretty typical setup for beginners....Norton 220/1k, 4k/8k, and a Naniwa 12k finisher. Since I have begun honing, I have found the 4k/8k and 12k to be to my liking, but have never been the biggest fan of the 1k side of the 220/1k hone. It seems to lose cutting "potency" very quickly, and to me seems slow. In fact, I find I spend a lot more time on my 4k to finish a bevel because I think I get far better feedback from that stone, and it also isn't as thirsty....as the 1k requires nearly constant attention with water even after a long soak.

So all of this brings me to the Chosera, which I watched Glen use with ease....not that this should surprise anyone, but there was some discussion about the amount of abrasive in one versus the other. I now, after some thought, am thinking about moving in that direction for my bevel setter. I know the Chosera is a well regarded stone, but I am more interested in knowing thoughts on the 1k and if I will really be pleased with the upgrade considering the up-front cost of the Chosera? I really don't like being on the bevel setter longer than is necessary and feel perhaps a faster stone will get me where I want to go. Am I correct in my observations? Might this be the path for me going forward?

Many thanks for your thoughts in advance! I have a couple of nice vintage razors now in the mail and want to get them dialed in right the first time (a lightly used vintage King Cutter, and a NOS Fili 13 DT JMP. All of this came with some frustrations on the 1k setting the bevel on a NOS DD Goldedge. Problem resolved on that one thanks to Glen!

-Ted

[RezDog]

I recently moved from the Norton 1K to the Chosera. I am quite content with the move. I really like the feel of the Chosera over the Norton. It is faster but not crazy fast, which I also like. It does not require the same same soak time, which I also like. I do not feel that I know this hone well yet, I think I still have things to learn as well.

[alpla444]

Yes I started with a Norton 1k but never seemed happy with it, as you say it has some thirst, I chose the Chosera 1K and been very happy with it, very easy to use and little water required in comparison.

[Sedell]

I moved from the Naniwa Superstone 1k to the Nani Pro 1k quite recently adn I'm very satisfied. For me the feel of the Pro is much nicer. It's fast, but feel smoother to me and I really like that harder feel compared with the Nani SS.

I'm satisfied with my bevel when it 1) looks good and even and 2) is popping hairs all along. I felt that the results stepped up, and came more consistently when I started using the Nani Pro. Of course, since I'm not a seasoned honer, the results might have stepped up on the superstone as well, as a result of experience.

just my thoughts.

Best, Sedell

[celticcrusader]

I have used a few 1K synthetics of various makes in the past and for the last few years I only use the Chosera 1K it's a great stone and I personally think it's the best 1K money can buy, I'm also thinking the Chosera 800 stone could also do the same job If given the opportunity.

[holli4pirating]

If the cost isn't an issue, I cannot think of any reason not to get a Chosera 1k.

[bluesman7]

I have only used a Norton 1k once for a very short time at a meet. I immediately disliked both the feel and performance and went back to using a King with pleasure. I now use a Chosera (now called the Pro by Naniwa). I love my 12k but I regard my 1k and 3k as my most important stones.

[Euclid440]

So, the terms faster, honing and novice, used in concert, always seem to foretell, “Issues”. Setting a bevel, is not where you want to cut corners, on time or effort.

The Chosera is a fine stone, I have used one for years, but recently I pulled out my old Norton 1k after not having used it in as many years. It worked just fine and really, not all that much different than the Chosera, certainly not as different as many claim or I remember.

The Chosera feels smoother than the Norton, but both produce the same 1k edge, not better, just a different feel, because of the way the binder breaks down, both have 1k grits.

Trust me, the problems you experienced were not the fault of the stone. As have been said many times, a “Better”, (More Expensive) stone will NOT make you a better honer…

If it makes you happy, buy the Chosera, but you will just have to LEARN how to use it also…

[ace]

I bought the Chosera 1K after using the Norton for four plus years. It just sits in a drawer because I use 1K so little these days and because the Norton works fine for me.

[FranfC]

My first set of stones were the Nortons, singles, 1k,4k,8k, and they performed well. Ya the 1k Norton is thirsty and the feedback is not to my liking but the stones worked well for me.

I have since moved on to Naniwa stones for my synthetic progression up to 8K, using the Professional P310-1K and the P330-3K (new Choseras) in my lineup.

I find that I like the feedback of the P310 much better than the Norton 1K and appreciate that it's a splash and go stone that's a fraction as thirsty as the Norton 1K.

I also would echo the idea that speed in setting bevels should come low on the list of priorities when it comes to choosing what stone you might choose.
I want to set the absolute best (straightest) bevel I can, then achieve the smoothest scratch pattern before moving on to a higher grit.
I have experience with only these two 1K stones so far, and for me the Naniwa Professional P310, 1K stone is the better stone for what my needs are.

I would not hesitate to use the Norton 1k stone on any razor that needed that coarse a stone to set the bevel, I just prefer the feedback, and other characteristics, of the Naniwa stones better.

I absolutely agree that (better), (more expensive) stones will not make anyone a better honer.

If you want to become better at honing razors, HONE A HUNDRED MORE RAZORS, on the appropriate stones that you have!

Will you enjoy the experience more with different stones? PERHAPS



FrankC