Thread: Naniwa cracking

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

All of the synthetics Norton, Chosera, SuperStones, Shaptons, you name it, are tool hones aren't they ?

Yes, but I don't think an American company will see any point in going higher.

Bought my Naniwa SS set some time back. 1k 5k 8k 12k.
Never any problems. Spray and play...They have never been soaked. Don't get a ton of use because I use a coticule a lot. Glad I didn't replacethem with Choseras, ehich I once upon a time thought of doing

Originally Posted by eddy79

Have the Chosera 1k, naniwa ss 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 and soak the lot often for 15 minutes or so still they stabilize just like Glen does in his YouTube vids.

I answer these threads with trepidation every time

I have the Original SS set on the Plastic stands 1-3-5-8-10-12
I have the Chosera 1-5-10

I abuse mine from what I read here from you guys

I had minor crazing on my 5k Chosera at about 5mm down after a couple of years it just appeared, I flipped the stone over and used the other side, no issues since.. It never affected the honing anyway but it bugged my OCD brain

The SS have ALWAYS swelled from day one,, it took a bit of lapping and wasted hone for me to realize what was happening and I stopped trying to lap them straight, I dunk them they settle in I do a few figure 8's and I start honing do a few figure 8's before each razor and keep on honing

To me they are all tools to be used.. I look at my naturals with a bit more fondness, but Synthetics are simply tools that can be replaced when I am done using them up...

Anyway that is my experience with them

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I had minor crazing on my 5k Chosera at about 5mm down after a couple of years it just appeared, I flipped the stone over and used the other side, no issues since.. It never affected the honing anyway but it bugged my OCD brain

I could do that with my 5k, but my OCD brain will require me to lap off the identifying markings I put on the sides and ends of the hone. I CANNOT work with an upside down hone!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Yes, but I don't think an American company will see any point in going higher.

You might be right there. I guess if you count the Black and Translucent Arkies they do have stones that'll get you where you need to go. Just thinking out loud that it would be nice to have a higher grit synthetic option without branching out of the Norton line. The 1/4/8 have grown on me. My wallet and I would also hate to buy a 12K SS only to then be tempted to work back down the Naniwa line.

That's how HAD starts, you get one hone you end up with them all. Or at least a basic 1/2/5/12 setup.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I could do that with my 5k, but my OCD brain will require me to lap off the identifying markings I put on the sides and ends of the hone. I CANNOT work with an upside down hone!

You have to reverse the stroke of course, because the hone is upside down

Originally Posted by Utopian

I could do that with my 5k, but my OCD brain will require me to lap off the identifying markings I put on the sides and ends of the hone. I CANNOT work with an upside down hone!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

You have to reverse the stroke of course, because the hone is upside down

Or hone standing on your head ...........

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Or hone standing on your head ...........

And for my next trick, I'll hone while standing on YOUR head... lol

I'm with you on the Norton's, Jimmy. I love my Chosera, but I switched from SS 5k and 8k to Norton's and much prefer them. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I have your 4k/8k combo...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The SS have ALWAYS swelled from day one,, it took a bit of lapping and wasted hone for me to realize what was happening and I stopped trying to lap them straight, I dunk them they settle in I do a few figure 8's and I start honing do a few figure 8's before each razor and keep on honing

I tried using the ss as splash and go but found due to the swelling that as they soaked more of the water up during use they constantly went out of flat. Soak first to swell then lap and they stay flat no worries.

I just do as you do a couple laps between razors on the lower grits or every couple on higher grit to clean and keep true.

I have used naniwas and pro and never had any cracking nor bad warping. I lap mine regularly before most honings. Never soaked mine just sprayed and honed.

I,m in the uk maybe different climate. Unless some are just faulty.