Thread: Finishing stone?

So far all I have for a finishing stone is my 8k Norton, I would either like to get a 15k Shapton Waterstone, or could I get by with a good Frank Swaty off E-Bay? Just throwing this out there. I know about the 12k SS but I like my waterstones. Thanks.

theres a few factors that i recommend analyzing before committing. whats your budget is the main one. A lot of times if you save up a little more you can get something that will be much better and not leave you wanting more. a 12k synthetic is a good choice, but maybe try sending a razor out to be honed on the stone you are looking at before buying. that way you know what you can expect. my recommendation is going to be a jnat every time. they can be expensive, yes, however you can find affordable ones that are just as good.

also, a 12k ss is a waterstone too, not sure what you meant by that statement

Little confused by your post but I will try

Shapton 15k is the Pro and really has never been a popular choice for SR's
I understand that many out there think quite highly of the Swaty BH's but honestly I doubt they are near as fine a polish as your Norton 8k
The Naniwa SS is a waterstone and is quite hard to beat at any price point

I use a 12k synthetic then finish on 1/2 inch thick sheet of glass before stropping.

There are many choices out there for barber hones. The water hones seem to be far more popular these days. Perhaps a way that you could narrow the choices would be to to get a blade finished on a water hone of your choice, by someone that has one and see how you like the shave. It seems to make sense to me that if you are looking for a hone to use touching up your razors it should be the finisher that you like the shave from the best. There are so very many choices and going to a meet would be a way of discovering more about what choices you have without actually having to buy them all.

I say no to the Swaty as a finisher. Naniwa 12k and finish on a crox pasted strop is hard to beat for the price.

I would throw trying out a coticule as an affordable (sometimes slightly challenging) option! No to the barber hone as they work but, better options for the money imho.

Depending on budget, the synthetic Suehiro Gokumyo 20k, Or any select grade coticules are lovely to finish on. Just depends on your own wishes, sky is the limit, that's what makes this such a great past-time. Enjoy! Cheers Bob

For the past year I've been finishing on a 12k Nani SS. The edge is certainly far superior to an 8k. I am also using a felt pad with diamond spray and then a CrOx leather to soften the edge after the diamond and am getting great edges but will be adding the 20k Suehero Gokumyo as soon as funds permit to get away from the diamond and CrOx strops. I think you'll be happy with the 12k in comparison to the 8k but then are we ever really satisfied or are we always trying to find something a little better.

Originally Posted by apipeguy

For the past year I've been finishing on a 12k Nani SS. The edge is certainly far superior to an 8k. I am also using a felt pad with diamond spray and then a CrOx leather to soften the edge after the diamond and am getting great edges but will be adding the 20k Suehero Gokumyo as soon as funds permit to get away from the diamond and CrOx strops. I think you'll be happy with the 12k in comparison to the 8k but then are we ever really satisfied or are we always trying to find something a little better.

Yes we are always trying to achieve better results. That what keeps our interest going and its fun. I would imagine the difference between your edges now and after the 20k may not even be noticeable.