Thread: Differents naniwa hones

In my opinion, the Specialty 1K works fine. I normally work on a dozen razors at a time and this stone never fails to do a reliable and consistent job on setting bevels. I normally clean it with a Trend 300 plate after the dozen razors are done. It is a resin bound stone though so it feels softer than it's magnesium bound brother the Professional 1K which is my preference because of the little firmer feeling it gives me on bevel setting. In terms of speed so to speak, I find little difference. Both are good cutters without the abrasive qualities of a stone like the Norton 1K. I think the reason I have liked Naniwa Selective's over all is that that softer feeling provides wonderful feedback when honing razors along with them being so effective. YMMV as always.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I should clarify that. "Too slow" is a relative term. If you are honing a couple razors a week, then it is okay. If you are honing a few razors per day, then you might want something that will get the job done faster and with less surface refreshing needed. The Specialty 1k WILL work to set a bevel, but the Professional will work faster. It will cost more but I believe it is worth it giving its ability to save you time.

There is a reason that I have the full set of the Specialty hones. I love the way the Specialty hones feel while honing but I prefer a harder 1k for bevel setting, but I always follow up whatever other bevel setter I may use with the Specialty 1k to "condition" the blade for the rest of the Specialty hones. (Voodoo I know but it makes me feel better!) I used up a Specialty 1k and went ahead and bought two more. By my perception, the Specialty 1k is slower than the Pro, but part of that may be my annoyance with the amount of swarf it accumulates. As I already said above, the Specialty 1k DOES work but I think the Pro is a better option, and I consider it to be faster. If Lynn thinks they are the same speed for bevel setting, I'm going to believe him.

Originally Posted by Kristian

Well I don't agree with you all. Of cause there's a difference between SS and Professional hones, but the professionals are made for pros...

That is just not true. They've only been called Professionals for a year or two at most. Before that they were called Choseras. Who were they made for then? The Specialty hones, are they only for special occasions?

Yes, of course there is a difference between the hones, and yes, both hones will do the job; but there is a good reason why the Professional is so highly recommended.

I've never tried the professional but have a set of the SS in 1, 5 and 10k. I find them to be excellent and have never had a problem bevel setting with the 1k, but then I only do 1 or 2 a month. Don't forget you'll also need to lap these stones, so consider the cost of a lapping plate or stone too. I have the DMT D8C which works brilliantly.

If you are upgrading just because the stone loads up, you can clean it with a scotch bite sponge while it is in the holder or give it a quick lap with another stone, (I often use a Translucent Ark Slip) and rinse with a squirt of water, takes just seconds.

Really all good synthetic 1k’s, deliver the same finish and that finish will be refined by your progression, so buying the “best” most expensive stone is not necessary if you are not production honing. The Chosera 1k is a nice stone, but so is the King. They both finish leave a 1k edge at vastly different cost.

Buying larger stones will make honing easier, a full size set of quality stones is a lifetime purchase, so do buy quality, brands don’t matter all that much.

To answer your original question, the Specialty/Super Stones are, thinner, softer and cheaper than the Pro/Chosera stone. I have both and they both provide the same finish.

Apparently there are 2 combo stones one with 2 Specialty stones glued together and a smaller set of Economical stones glued. SRD sells the Specialty combo stone.

There is also a full size, 20mm thick Specialty Stone called the Sharpening Stone here is a link to the full line.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

If you are upgrading just because the stone loads up, you can clean it with a scotch bite sponge while it is in the holder or give it a quick lap with another stone,

might be my english level, but i don't really see what does mean "scotch bite sponge" ?

ÂScotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scour Pad

tampon vert

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ta...w=1861&bih=899

oh ok. i see. i already tried this way but it does not work on my hone. i was using than the sandpaper but now it does not work neither

What hone is it and do you have any pictures of it.

It's rare to find a hone that won't clean up. It may just be a case of contamination. Oil would be the prime candidate if the stone is discoloured and now feels a lot slower. It could be a case of a few days soak in some soapy water to clear it out if the stone is a soak stone.

Originally Posted by Iceni

What hone is it and do you have any pictures of it.

It's rare to find a hone that won't clean up. It may just be a case of contamination. Oil would be the prime candidate if the stone is discoloured and now feels a lot slower. It could be a case of a few days soak in some soapy water to clear it out if the stone is a soak stone.

these are some cheap hones i found. i don't have the pictures right now. i can take some later. i think they are chineses.