Thread: Beginners stone

Originally Posted by JackeHj

I have used the Naniwa Super Stone 10K (which is basicly the same as Specialty Stone, or am I wrong) for a few years. It is a good stone, and you can use it as a finnisher/touch up stone. I do sometimes use another stone after the 10k, but it is not necessary.

I lerned to hone on my Naniwa SS stones too, and they where good learning stones In my opinion.

So my answer would be that it is a good idea!
If the price isnt too high, but we are not really allowed to discuss that here.

If you eventually want to learn to hone, I would recomend bying a combo stone, with 10K on one side. That will reduce the total cost of your hone set, because you will need at least 3+ different grit sizes...

Good luck!
Jacke

The only Naniwa combinations I'm familiar with are the 3/8 specialty stone, and the low grit ceramic ones that we really don't see used often as razor stones. Not that there isn't one, but with all the looking at Naniwas, those are the only ones I've laid eyes on. With a 10K I'd say the 3/8 is kinda redundant as you wouldn't necessarily need the 8K. I'd go 1/2/5/10 personally.

But agreed, the 10K is a good place to start. And you can pick up lower grit stones on an as-needed basis.

Price is relative. I'd be willing to pay a few dollars extra if I could walk into a store to get it without having to sit back a week and wait for shipping. But that's just me, YMMV.

I have a 220/1000 combo and a 3000/10000 combo in the Super Stone series... (the 220 grit isnt really usefull for razors at all, exept maby for breadknifing) they do exist. But I dont know how it is now with the specialty stones...

I agree, I prefer bying from stores in person.

Must be something they don't have available in the US markets. Just did a quick search and only saw the standard 3/8 option.

Might be...
This is a store I found on a quick search, from Germany.
http://https://www.fine-tools.com/naniwa-stones.html

They have a 800/5000 combo too, a stone on my list...

I've seen the 800/5K stone too. Shame that's not a 1k/5k. Then with 2 stones you could have the 1/3/5/8 progression people seem so fond of. I guess in theory the 800 works too, and probably for a wider range of cutlery.

I agree! But still, with 2 combo stones you can get 800/3k/5k/8k or 10k. And that quite alright, I dont know about setting a bevel on the 800 though, it might not be optimal for razors at all...

Btw, I only use 1/3/10. Quite a gap from 3 to 10, but if I spend some time on the 10k it is alright! I wouldn't say this is the best progression, but it works fine for me so far

Skipping stones is just a matter of being willing to spend extra time on the next step up. And I've seen 1 stone instructions for just about every finishing hone known to man. So a lot of these high grit hones are actually quite flexible.

I've used the 800 to set bevels. Better for chip removal, followed by a good 1k. But it can be done. You just have to spend extra time on the next stone because the 800 grit naturally leaves deeper scratches than a 1k.

Really the largest benefit to the "right" progression is expedience. Using the right hone at the right time will save you strokes, thus time, on the later phases.

If the edge was honed with tape and you do not use tape, it will not hurt the edge but neither will it improve it until as Ron says, the new bevel extends to the apex.

Sharpie the bevel, make a light pass or two across the hone and look at the bevel with magnification. You'll be able to see if it was honed with tape or not. If the Sharpie is removed to the apex you're good to go.

Cheers, Steve

If your ever planning on buying the Naniwa 12k, then I would say that the 10k would have to be a lot cheaper than the 12k to make it worth buying. JMO

I have a full set of Naniwa sharpening stones (new Superstones), every available grit. I do not need that many, but I like having them. It reduces the number of strokes I need to hone a razor.

The Naniwas are very nice stones. The Naniwa 12K can put a mirror polish on an edge, but on some types of steel you can get microchips in the edge. Also the 12K edge can be a little harsh/too keen on some razors. The Naniwa 10K does not seem to have either problem.

Although the 10K can be used as a finisher, I like the finish of a natural stone more so than the synthetics. The edge might not be quite as polished as on a Naniwa 12K, but the balance between sharp and smooth seems to be better. Thus, my current progression starts on the Naniwa 1K, takes me up through the 10K and then on to a natural stone for finishing.

Getting a Naniwa 10K is a good way to get into honing. It will be good for refreshing razors. Then if you want to go into other aspects of honing, add a Naniwa 1K and 5K. That will give you a bevel setter, a mid range and a finisher. Then, if you can afford it, add the intermediate stones.

A lot of people like the Norton stones, but realize that Norton and Naniwa rate grits on a different scale. Norton stones do not go higher than an 8K and their 8K is similar in grit to a Naniwa 5K, so it is not a true finisher, although some people shave off one. You can go from a Norton 8K to another finishing stone, but if you want a series of stones with a similar feel, Naniwas are a good choice.