Thread: Finisher after 12k stone

Just purchased a 12k Naniwa stone and was wondering for those of you who use 12k stones, what do you do after the 12k, if anything. I know it is a personal preference sort of thing, but was just curious what works for you. Let us know what you use and how many laps you do. I was thinking of purchasing CrOx on Balsa or maybe Diamond spray on felt. I know some move to a 20k or Zulu Grey stone, or a JNat.

Suehiro 20k. Because I use the 20k, I do VERY few laps on the 12k. Maybe five or seven.

I would suggest you stay with the 12k naniwa for awhile and get to know it. A 12k naniwa could very well be a final finisher with outstanding results. A lot of guys that used to be around here were happy shaving off the 8k. Many of us seem to desire the elusive 'best' in a never ending quest for higher grits and exotic naturals, don't ask me how I know.

As for chrom-ox. I never understood finishing a razor on an expensive stone, with a great reputation, and then modifying the edge with $0.50 of powder. A lot of guys like the green stuff, and if I'm in the midst of the shave, the edge feels harsh, I might strop on chrom-ox impregnated wool felt, but as a rule I get my razors shave ready with the stones and linen/leather.

After the Naniwa 12K, I finish on the Charnley Forest (around 16K) with Herbertz honing oil, 100x. It gives a very smooth edge. Crox on rough leather I only use for a quick (7x) touch-up when I'm away from home/the hones. The edge from the Crox feels a bit harsh, and I sure prefer shaving from the Charnley Forest, and leather. Anyway, as Jimmy said, shaving from the Naniwa 12K, linen and leather, should give an excellent shave.

I have also only recently acquired a Naniwa 12K and have not gone to anything after it just yet. I have until now went with the 10K and a natural. I have not used CrOx for some time. It did offer a small amount of refinement off of the 8K. I try not to get too many things going on at one time. I may over time switch to a natural after the 12K, but right now I am just trying to see what the 12K does for and to my edges. It is not my first synthetic finisher, but I could never make friends with the other one.

Totally agree with JimmyHad, you need to get to know your 12k first.

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 Justino14

Just purchased a 12k Naniwa stone and was wondering for those of you who use 12k stones, what do you do after the 12k, if anything. I know it is a personal preference sort of thing, but was just curious what works for you. Let us know what you use and how many laps you do. I was thinking of purchasing CrOx on Balsa or maybe Diamond spray on felt. I know some move to a 20k or Zulu Grey stone, or a JNat.

For me, after the Nani 12k, I go to a natural stone and finish on an Escher/Thuri, some go Coti then Thuri/Escher or just Coti, gives the razor that smooth velvet edge, removes any harshness that I find the synthetics can give....YMMV.

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.