Thread: Finisher after 12k stone

Like the other members said, learn your hone. If you can get yourself a good shaving edge on the 12k, I honestly don't think you need to spend a small fortune on a Suehiro 20k. Don't get me wrong the GMN20k is a great stone, but if you are not getting the results you want on your 12k, the 20k won't make it any better, and the natural stone field takes a long time and considerable effort to get right. Even 7 or so years ago the 8k naniwa/norton, were the 'thing', now it's a 20k stone, that with some delicate steels, can micro-chip. I think Lynn A once said, 'Whats the difference between great and magnificent, I don't know'' But a better edge than your 12k, is a bit of a state of mind rather than the state of your face.

i over came the harsh edge of 12 k naniwa. I was simply doing to many strokes. I have found 10 to 20 strokes, leaves a softer smoother edge, providing the process before hand has hit the full potential. Just five to seven lap on srd crox spray on felt gives the edge a nice glide. Having shaved of the 20 k twice I can say the 12 k plus tad of crox is just as nice. Same again to many strokes on crox and the edge can be a little harsh. Less strokes, you can always do more. Being a coticule honer I got use to doing bags of strokes, with superstones it's total opposite . Naniwa 12 k. Can achieve a polished edge very quickly, this is what I have found.

Originally Posted by gary haywood

i over came the harsh edge of 12 k naniwa. I was simply doing to many strokes. I have found 10 to 20 strokes, leaves a softer smoother edge, providing the process before hand has hit the full potential. Just five to seven lap on srd crox spray on felt gives the edge a nice glide. Having shaved of the 20 k twice I can say the 12 k plus tad of crox is just as nice. Same again to many strokes on crox and the edge can be a little harsh. Less strokes, you can always do more. Being a coticule honer I got use to doing bags of strokes, with superstones it's total opposite . Naniwa 12 k. Can achieve a polished edge very quickly, this is what I have found.

That was a lesson that I learned on the Shapton Glass 16K. I was doing too many strokes. Really sharp but needed to be toned down a little. 10-12 strokes...excellence.

As everyone has said, the nani12 is a really great stone. So if you're not sure what to do next, you should ask yourself whether you're looking for a good shave, or you love razor stuff and just need an excuse to buy more.
If the former, spend your time getting the most out of what you already have. If the latter, I'm afraid you will need a lot more than just one finishing stone. You'll need a Thuringian, at least 4 cotis, some J-nats, a gok20, shaptons, anglo-stones, US stones, a zulu...

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

As everyone has said, the nani12 is a really great stone. So if you're not sure what to do next, you should ask yourself whether you're looking for a good shave, or you love razor stuff and just need an excuse to buy more.
If the former, spend your time getting the most out of what you already have. If the latter, I'm afraid you will need a lot more than just one finishing stone. You'll need a Thuringian, at least 4 cotis, some J-nats, a gok20, shaptons, anglo-stones, US stones, a zulu...

Isn't that what everyone has? Lol.

12k Naniwa, strop and go is all you really need. I finish on an Escher after the 12k. Number of strokes is whenever the polishing is complete. This is determined by checking with a loop. Like others have said you absolutely need a complete and good bevel or you will never achieve what you are looking for.

Black Arkansas

Correction: Woops! I didn't mean comment on your post specifically, Hacker.

All this time I thought the Naniwa 12K WAS the finisher...

I'm with Jimmy - I'd finish on a good strop and call it a damn fine shave.

Originally Posted by Marshal

All this time I thought the Naniwa 12K WAS the finisher...

I'm with Jimmy - I'd finish on a good strop and call it a damn fine shave.

I just refreshed a razor last night, Escher in on hand after some water on the hone, razor in the other hand (liking this holding the stone to hone), about 20 good laps on the stone, wipe, then linen, then felt(Kanayama felt, under utilized IMO), then 100 solid leather laps...stropping is fundamental.

Awesome shave followed, and from experience, the next shave with that razor will be even smoother....

I love sharpening stones too!!

I tried your advice and after the 12k, I used a Coti. The results were amazing I got the best shave ever, really since I start honing my SR, this was the very best shave. The SR feels like it is sliding over my skin.
I mean it is sharp, but it feels different when the blade trims the facial hair. Thank you very much Phrank.