Thread: Naniwa Economical Hones??

Does anyone have any experience with Naniwa's economical stone offerings? I was hoping to save a few bucks this holiday season when I treated myself to some stones to learn on, and a combo 1k/3k is only $24. I know they are smaller but what else is different between them and the traditional stones Naniwa offers?

I have already gotten recommendations for the Naniwa SS and chosera stones but as a father of 5 the holiday season means I have to save money on my hobbies so they can have more and better. I was hoping to learn to hone this winter while I was shut up inside. If these stones are good enough I will start with a DMT combo 325/600 and the combo I mentioned earlier and upgrade after the holidays with the Naniwa specialty 8k and 12k. I know that I will be unable to get razors to shave ready with a 3k stone but I have 6 blades that need a lot of work so I can use the month or two between one order and the next to get those blades in good enough shape to use a finer stone. As long as the economical stone isn't a complete waste of money I may get one even if it's not great then upgrade at a later date to a chosera 1k and specialty stone 3k.

Thank you so very much for any responses. I have asked about these stones on another forum but no one there has used them so I'm branching out to find more information.

You may be better off with a Norton 4/8 then get a finer finisher when funds allow. You may be surprised how smooth a shave you can get from the 8k. Get a king 1k of the bay for like $25 shipped. Save a few more $ by using wet/dry sand paper and a piece of glass or flat tile to lap them and presto you may be in it for like 110-120 depending on how good a price you can find the Norton.

Originally Posted by DduckyMark

Does anyone have any experience with Naniwa's economical stone offerings? I was hoping to save a few bucks this holiday season when I treated myself to some stones to learn on, and a combo 1k/3k is only $24. I know they are smaller but what else is different between them and the traditional stones Naniwa offers?

I have already gotten recommendations for the Naniwa SS and chosera stones but as a father of 5 the holiday season means I have to save money on my hobbies so they can have more and better. I was hoping to learn to hone this winter while I was shut up inside. If these stones are good enough I will start with a DMT combo 325/600 and the combo I mentioned earlier and upgrade after the holidays with the Naniwa specialty 8k and 12k. I know that I will be unable to get razors to shave ready with a 3k stone but I have 6 blades that need a lot of work so I can use the month or two between one order and the next to get those blades in good enough shape to use a finer stone. As long as the economical stone isn't a complete waste of money I may get one even if it's not great then upgrade at a later date to a chosera 1k and specialty stone 3k.

Thank you so very much for any responses. I have asked about these stones on another forum but no one there has used them so I'm branching out to find more information.

Maybe you'll have to spear head this pioneer mission!!!

If worst comes to worst you're out 24 bucks and will always have sharp kitchen knives. What is to lose?

I was going to go with the norton combo stones but I was talked out of it. I was told that the quality on the 4k nortons has gone the way of the dodo bird and that I would be better off starting with Naniwa. I probably will end up with the economy combo stone to try since no one knows much about it. I can't hurt the blades I have that need work any more then they are already. one has a frown and 3 have mild chips. I'll start with those and if it seems to do alright I'll move on to the better blades in my junk box. If it works out I'll have to make scales for all these razors.

I don't know about the 1/3 hone but I have the 3/8 and love it. The 1K when I bought it wasn't that expensive so I started out with the 1K 3/8K naniwa. I also bought a Norton 4/8K hone and used it a short time. I found that the naniwa worked better for me. Each to his or her own.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I don't know about the 1/3 hone but I have the 3/8 and love it. The 1K when I bought it wasn't that expensive so I started out with the 1K 3/8K naniwa. I also bought a Norton 4/8K hone and used it a short time. I found that the naniwa worked better for me. Each to his or her own.

I think the 3k/8k hone is the specialty series and I looked into that at first when Gssixgun suggested the Naniwa stones to me on the other forum. From what I've been able to see it looks like the economy stones are cut down stones from Naniwa's traditional line. If I don't end up liking the economy I may still get the 3k/8k combo since it's cheaper than those stones separately.

Originally Posted by DduckyMark

I think the 3k/8k hone is the specialty series and I looked into that at first when Gssixgun suggested the Naniwa stones to me on the other forum. From what I've been able to see it looks like the economy stones are cut down stones from Naniwa's traditional line. If I don't end up liking the economy I may still get the 3k/8k combo since it's cheaper than those stones separately.

Each to his own. When I started out with the hones I watched many of the videos out there. More than one of the best really liked the naniwa hones. I know for me they make honing my razors easier. I get a hold of a few with chips. for along time I used the 1K and then I dropped down to the 400 naniwa. It removes the chip quickly and then I go to the 1K. I really don't know how long my naniwa hones will last but at my age I don't believe I will wear them out.

I'm excited to start. I was going to use the DMT combo to work out chips and frowns. 325/600 seems like it would work well for that and I can use it to lap whatever stones I get as well. I'm going to try really hard to only have a minimal setup since I will only ever do my own razors. I don't want any duplicates. They make it hard to sell this hobby to my fiance when she sees the costs of everything.

Originally Posted by DduckyMark

I'm excited to start. I was going to use the DMT combo to work out chips and frowns. 325/600 seems like it would work well for that and I can use it to lap whatever stones I get as well. I'm going to try really hard to only have a minimal setup since I will only ever do my own razors. I don't want any duplicates. They make it hard to sell this hobby to my fiance when she sees the costs of everything.

I know what you mean on selling the hobby. I wonder what she would say if you ask what the cost of the beauty shop is each time she go's. also all the make up. you know the face powder shampoo conditioner lip stick eye liner eye braw pencil hand cream boddy location perfume hair spray nail polish and this is the short list and add this up over a year or two. then we look at the hand bags shoes different out fits for what ever comes up and she's never got anything to wear. I brought this up to the wife a bout a month ago. i'll let you know what she said when she starts speaking to me again. come to think of it maybe i'll bring it up again.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I know what you mean on selling the hobby. I wonder what she would say if you ask what the cost of the beauty shop is each time she go's. also all the make up. you know the face powder shampoo conditioner lip stick eye liner eye braw pencil hand cream boddy location perfume hair spray nail polish and this is the short list and add this up over a year or two. then we look at the hand bags shoes different out fits for what ever comes up and she's never got anything to wear. I brought this up to the wife a bout a month ago. i'll let you know what she said when she starts speaking to me again. come to think of it maybe i'll bring it up again.

Mine doesn't wear makeup except for special occasions, doesn't go to beauty shops except for inexpensive haircuts a few times a year and wears chuck taylor low tops with everything. She said she would wear them at our wedding too. She tends to be an inexpensive woman to have around and I'm so very lucky to have her. She fully supports this as a hobby because she thinks it's neat but I try not to push my luck on expensive things.