Thread: Thuringian stone vs 12k naniwa

Originally Posted by aaron1234

I own a thuringian stone and I heard that it's pretty hard to beat a 12k naniwa as a razor finish stone so I was wondering if anyone knew how they compare. My thuringian stone gives a very clean comfortable shave so I was wondering if the 12k would do any better.

Well in my experience with both these stones I feel they actually compliment each other. The Thury is a very slow cutter you really can challenge its abilities trying to bring back a dull razor. On the other hand it gives forth comfort and smoothness with the best of them. When done well the thury edge is a joy to shave with. The Naniwa 12k is a performer as far as edge refinement and keeness and much faster cutter really amazing in that regards actually for its grit. When I say complimentary I mean to use the tool that does one thing best. Naniwa will get your blade really sharp and crisp almost harsh then follow up with Thury and all the nasties melt away and you have a lovely shaving instrument, sharp and smooth what we all crave.

I would take a y/g thuri over a naniwa stone at the same price. What thuris bring these days, though, I wouldn't pay.

I'd buy four small japanese stones described as finishers from a stone dealer, and sell the three I didn't like that much. One of the four would probably be finer than a thuri.

(or I'd buy a translucent arkansas).

If you're used to working with synthetics, you might find that you don't like a thuri and don't get much out of it. Or you could go the other way, natural stones just work differently than synthetics in terms of how they cut and it makes you feel more involved.

Yup. That's why it's important to try them all!

Yeah, I know guys who finish with the Naniwa 12k, then smooth it out on the Thuringian.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Yeah, I know guys who finish with the Naniwa 12k, then smooth it out on the Thuringian.

That's what I do - seems as a noob, I get a nice consistent edge off the Nani 12k - then I move to an Escher to get that smooth edge. Wolfpack mentioned, and many others do the same, going to the Coti then to the Thuri...