Thread: Finally buoght a Naniwa SS 12k

Ooops,"bought" not buoght...lol!
I know, right? What? You don't already have one?!
Yes, I've been putting off getting one because I didn't really think I needed it because I have so many other kinds of finishing stones. But I'm constantly bombarded with hearing about how they are the new standard for a razor replacing the Norton 8k.
Ordered from SRD on Saturday so hopefully I get it by the end of the week.
Any tips or gotcha's from you guys on the use and maintenance of the Nani 12k?

I've found it to be a real workhorse. In fact I bought one for two friends so they could enjoy it (they both paid me back).

I use slurry on all of my hones including the Naniwa 12K, then finish on clear water. I don't use pasted strops unless I'm asked to and I find the Naniwa 12K to give a nice smooth shave. With that said pinklather finds it a bit 'crispy' but still an enjoyable shave.

Have fun learning it. As Glen says:

"No amount of money spent on a Stone can ever replace the value of the time it takes learning to use it properly"
Very Respectfully - Glen

Great info, thanks.
So if PL is finding it crispy, is he doing any kind of stropping afterwards? Wouldn't that have some effect on the final feeling of the shave?
I just started using strops a couple months ago so I'm still learning them too. The coolest part of learning a stone is learning to use it in different ways for different outcomes. Like you said.

I bought a Hart razor here a couple weeks ago that was "touched" by Glen. That edge was so incredible I had to talk to him on the phone about it. What an awesome guy he is. He uses a Nani 12k and likes it, probably what kicked me into buying it now that I think about it. Yea.... sometimes the electrons fire off in the right order in this gray matter of mine...lol

pinklather belongs to what he calls the 'Strop Till You Drop Club' it's not unusual for him to strop 200+ laps on leather alone for an everyday shave.

What is crisp anyway? Perfect? A little too close?

Originally Posted by Aerdvaark

What is crisp anyway? Perfect? A little too close?

I've found that 99.9% of Everything about shaving with a straight razor is 'Personal Preference' and pinklather prefers a 'buttery smooth' feel to an edge. I on the other hand like a slightly 'crispy' feel. Crispy isn't 'harsh' it just lets you know that the edge is there. I guess that's why I don't use pasted strops. I like the feel of the edge right off of the hones and plain strops.

Which brings me to stropping after honing. Typically, I strop 50-60 on cloth (usually Neil Miller Linen) and then 200 to 250 on leather.

I love the edge off of the 12k, but I have to be more careful using an edge off of it than a natural stone finished edge.

It is a very close cutting, yet unforgiving edge.

Ok, yea, we're definitely on the same page. That was exactly what I thought it was. In between perfect and too sharp. Lets you know it's there, but for me then it is usually too late.
Well after talking to you guys I'm really pumped to try it out. Hell yea I'll go a couple of rounds with a Naniwa 12k! Bring it!

I don't mean to say it is a bad edge, but definitely prefer it when the edge starts to go grayer at the temples.

Probably 100 on linen, then 250ish on leather fresh off the stone, minimum. But i am a fairly light handed stropper, if that makes sense.

The 12k was my first "finisher" and I still love it. Over time I've developed a feeling for how many stroke to use on a particular blade. If I'm working with a very thin bevel I may only do 8-10 laps and up to 25-30 on a really stubborn wedge. There is a sweet spot for getting a great edge on the 12k. I find that too manny laps will give a harsh edge. Once you get used to it you'll find that it's predictable, consistent and very user friendly.

As far as stropping goes. I'll usually do about 100 laps after honing and about 40 between shaves. I find that I will see improvement on HHT up until about 100 laps(on leather) and very little difference after that.