Thread: Naniwa 5000 or 8000?

SoI have acquired a number of straight razors in various states of disrepair. I'm getting ready to hone them. I have decided to go with naniwa speciality stones. My question is this , I 've already decided on 1000 to set the bevel and 12000 for finishing. For an intermediate stone would you suggest the 5000 or the 8000 if you could only pick one?

I would sugest the 3/8 combination stone from naniwa SS. I started with the 1K then the 3/8 combination then finished with the 12K naniwa SS. It worked out great for me. The combination stone is a little more expensive but in my opinion worth it.

1K-12K is a BIG jump, you would do best to have at least two stones between them.

The 3/8 naniwa combo, or the Norton 4/8K combo would be a good options that will get the job done..

If you have already decided the 1K is going to be your bevel setter and the 12K your finishing stone then the obvious choice in between those two hones are a simple logical choice 3K-5K-8K, the 5K is to far away from the 12K.

If you are sure you want only one hone in between then definitely go with the 5k. Grit size is halved when the grit number doubles so the 1k to 5k jump is much more problematic than the one up to the 12k. That is why the 5k is a better option over the 8k.

If you were willing to do 2 hones in between, then the 3k to 8k would be the better option among those already discussed.

Personally, I would prefer 1k, 2k, 5k, and then 12k in that 4 hone progression.

Two of the most commonly recommended progressions are as follows.

1k, 3k, 8k, 12k
or
1k, 5k, 8k, 12k

Of those two, I think the first one is better.

thanks for your replies.

My vendor does not stock combination stones so that rules that out.

Is it possible to set the bevel with a 3000 stone? in which case it would be 3k, 8k, 12k.

Originally Posted by jasonwr

thanks for your replies.

My vendor does not stock combination stones so that rules that out.

Is it possible to set the bevel with a 3000 stone? in which case it would be 3k, 8k, 12k.

Yes, it is possible, but it is significantly slower. It is a matter of patience and how many razors you need to hone.

If your needs change, you always can add a 1k later.

It's possible set a bevel with a 3K on a half decent razor, but believe me If you have some big old wedges that need major work then you may as well forget a 3K it's a complete waste of time, and a 5K to a 12K in my opinion is not a good progressive step.

If you don't already have the 12K then go with. 1, 5, 8K and pick up the 12K later.

The 8K stone is capable of giving a smooth shave, The 12K is just a little smoother. You can tell the difference between the 2 when you shave but an 8K finished edge is passable and shouldn't irritate you.

For the 1K stump up a little extra and get the 1K professional stone (chosera) rather than the Speciality (super stone). The Professional is regarded as one of the best bevel setters on the market. The 1K speciality (super) stone doesn't have anywhere near the same repute.

I'll link you the best UK site to get naniwa's on. I'm not sure if you are in NI or Eire but the price should be the same for both locations.

https://uk.knivesandtools.com/en/ct/...whetstones.htm

1K

https://uk.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/...stone-p310.htm

5K

https://uk.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/...one-sp-450.htm

8K

https://uk.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/...one-sp-480.htm

All 3 are going to be £150ish. They do a 1, 5, 10K set for £138 but I would want the pro 1K, and wouldn't bother with a 10K in favor of the 12K in an ideal rotation so it's probably better to go with the staggered purchase method.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

a 5K to a 12K in my opinion is not a good progressive step.

A 1k to 3k and a 1k to 5k progression are both bigger jumps than a 5k to 12k jump.