Basics for synthetic hone set

Hey all,

Im sure this has been asked before but I wanted to get updated info with the newer Naniwa stones included.

Im looking to get a full set of synthetic hones (preferably all form one brand) to go from bevel set to finished and ready for the naturals and/or a strop.

Id like it to be as cheep as possible without having to upgrade later and without sacrificing edge quality.

In an answer id like to see a specific list of grits needed, the brand and the model. I was thinking about purchasing from https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com but if there is a better source id love to know!

any additional info is appreciated

thanks in advance

A commonly suggested progression is the Naniwa Specialty hones, which used to be the SuperStones. They seem to be identical except by name so get whichever you prefer by price.

For a bevel setter, replace the Specialty 1k with the Naniwa Chosera 1k. Trust me, it is worth it if you think that you will be honing any number of razors that need new bevels. The Specialty 1k works, but the Chosera is much better. The edge lives or dies off the bevel setting so you don't want to scrimp there.

Recommended progression options are:
1k, 3k, 8k, 12k

1k, 5k, 8k, 12k

Between these two, I consider the first to be better but both have been used and recommended frequently.

I would prefer:
1k, 2k, 5k, 8k, 12k
because I consider it critical to get out the 1k scratches and the 2k does a better job.

Id go with what Utopian said. Hes hit the nail on the head.

I ended up with 1k corsera, 2k, 3k, 5k, 8k, 12k all in specialty stones. And as far as ordering from that place, they want you happy so if a stone dont feel right or if you want to trade for another grit, they stand behind it. I traded in a 10k for the 3k. No questions asked. I had even took a sharpie to the side of the 10k marking it 10k so i could see it better and that was not an issue with them.

They have some sets too but if a set isnt the stones you want, call them and they will.work with you to get what you want. Good luck learning honing. Its fun, time consuming and frustrating at first, then with time it becomes more natural and you wont know why you were having a hard time in the beginning.

Well, since you mention using synths to be ready for naturals, I will say that a Suehiro 1k/3k synth combo is a really great set-up for a coticule from my experience, followed by a Welsh purple slate. Really all you need IMO.

I haven't experience with the Naniwa line, but obviously, they're well received here. As for Sharpening Supplies, I find them to be a good company to deal with. Great about returns for instance.

I personally purchased Shapton kuromaku stones, 1k,2k,5k,8k and a used 12k naniwa.
Bought all stones from Amazon and they are for the money awesome stones. Really affordable, after doing some reading and looking this about the best deal I could find getting all the same brand. I like the speed at which they work and the finish produced. These are the Japanese version of the Shapton pros IIRC. Great suggestions so far from these members.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

I personally purchased Shapton kuromaku stones, 1k,2k,5k,8k and a used 12k naniwa.
Bought all stones from Amazon and they are for the money awesome stones. Really affordable, after doing some reading and looking this about the best deal I could find getting all the same brand. I like the speed at which they work and the finish produced. These are the Japanese version of the Shapton pros IIRC. Great suggestions so far from these members.

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I do have the Shapton Pro 1k, 1.5k, and 2k and have used the full series. I can agree that the 1k Pro is a perfectly good bevel setter and I would prefer it over the Specialty/SuperStone 1k. I like the lower grit Pros but liked the higher grit ones less. My rate of having to go back and re-hone was about 2-3 out of 10 with the entire Pro series. If the Kuromaku hones are comparable to the Pros, then I think the lower grit hones he listed, followed by the Naniwa Specialty/SuperStone 12k is a perfectly viable option.

The Kuromaku stones are the same as pros in performance. Might be a slightly different formula for the pro series for the US market, but from what I gather they perform the same. I'd need more time with the mid & upper end of the series before I gave an more informed opinion, but I haven't a complaint with them so far.

What happened to the classic Norton 4/8 combo?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Airportcopper

What happened to the classic Norton 4/8 combo?

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The Norton set are still the meat and potatoes of my personal honing kit. A lot of folks don't like soaking the 4k, some don't like the feel of it. And I think many pick up a higher grit finisher, then end up shelving the Norton 4/8 in favor of the new brand.

I'm probably an oddball in that I have another full set of stones, but still defer to the tried & true Norton kit for the vast majority of my honing. Aside from needing a little soak it hasn't done me wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

A commonly suggested progression is the Naniwa Specialty hones, which used to be the SuperStones. They seem to be identical except by name so get whichever you prefer by price.

For a bevel setter, replace the Specialty 1k with the Naniwa Chosera 1k. Trust me, it is worth it if you think that you will be honing any number of razors that need new bevels. The Specialty 1k works, but the Chosera is much better. The edge lives or dies off the bevel setting so you don't want to scrimp there.

Recommended progression options are:
1k, 3k, 8k, 12k

1k, 5k, 8k, 12k

Between these two, I consider the first to be better but both have been used and recommended frequently.

I would prefer:
1k, 2k, 5k, 8k, 12k
because I consider it critical to get out the 1k scratches and the 2k does a better job.

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I think this pretty much echos my thought. I have not used a wide variety of synthetic hones and soon this will be my progression.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Airportcopper

What happened to the classic Norton 4/8 combo?

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Nothing .

I prefer the Chosera 1K, Norton 4/8 then a finishing stone.

Buy one really good natural hone (not a sole endfinisher) that is able for wide range honing (a good coticule or Jnat i.e.), learn how to hon with it and you can skip nearly all of this one grit synthetic hones -maybe with exception of the 1 k that gives you a defined bevel and starting point.

Plus the others.
Chosera 1k, Superstones 2k, 3k, 5k, 8k, 10k then either a natural of your choice and or the Suehiro Gokumyo 20k.
There is no brand that could lay claim to be the best. Shapton for example have excellent progressions in either glass or pro versions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hatzicho

Buy one really good natural hone (not a sole endfinisher) that is able for wide range honing (a good coticule or Jnat i.e.), learn how to hon with it and you can skip nearly all of this one grit synthetic hones -maybe with exception of the 1 k that gives you a defined bevel and starting point.

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I did this for many years with a Washita and a coticule/bbw. Only had two razors during that time frame so the only time that I had to use the Washita was when I would get a chip or ding.

I was in the same boat earlier, debating the different synthetics, talked to many of the folks on this forum. I ended up buying the Shapton Kuromaku's 1K,3K,5K,8k and 12K, so far I'm pretty satisfied with this set-up.
All that said, once you get the honing bug you always want to try something else! But this is a good way to get started, probably more than you really need unless you plan on doing a lot of razor restorations, but with a set like this or the Naniwa's you can handle just about any razor task. After all the stone work a good strop is essential, I purchased a 3-inch wide red latigo from SRP and really like it!
Good luck with your choice!
Stay sharp!

1K, 4K, 8K 12K for synthetics or after the 8K either JNAT or Coti for a natural finish.

Recently I've been using my Naniwa superstones again, because of things earlier mentioned, I did notice the 1K to be a very fast cutting stone and to be used accordingly.

Lately I've been using also a Coticule, the one I have is an extremely fast stone. I can't finish wel on this stone, but it's an amazing bevel setter, super fast and great edges coming off that stone.
So instead of my Naniwa 1K I'm using a very fast Coticule on slurry.

From the Coticule I go to a BBW with slurry to perfect the bevel, or I just skip the BBW and go the synthetic way. After the BBW I also go the synthtic way and go to a Naniwa 5K - 8K and finish on the 12K. I then go to either an Escher or a Coticule under running water. The Escher gets "sticky" rather fast coming off the 12K and I know I got a good edge when I get that feeling.

So I can share the sentiment most people on here have, a synthetic line-up with a natural finisher at the end (I also prefer to start with a Coticule)

For me the challenging part lies in the zone between the perfected bevel and the finishing. In a progressive honing setup where I use natural stones, I use other synthetic hones to fill that void to make my life a little easier.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hatzicho

Buy one really good natural hone (not a sole endfinisher) that is able for wide range honing (a good coticule or Jnat i.e.), learn how to hon with it and you can skip nearly all of this one grit synthetic hones -maybe with exception of the 1 k that gives you a defined bevel and starting point.

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I have recently aquired a Nakayama Kiita with two tested tomo's ( pre finish and finish ) and i believe I could use a 1K and this Kiita and be done, really need to test this theory.