Looking to try Finisher

I am new to SR shaving. It has been a few months for me now, and just today I put an edge on a DD Goldenedge with my Naniwa 12k. Before I took the DD to the stone it was not able to shave my face well, after it did a good job with a little tugging when I was going ATG. I probably could have given it a few more laps. My question is, now that I know I am hooked, what would you recommend as far as a nest Hone. I would like to give a different finisher a shot the next time one of my razors needs a touch up.

To steal a few quotes from Gssixgun:

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

and,

"The Naniwa 12K is a hard stone to beat at any price."

My suggestion - spend more time with the Naniwa, and less getting wrapped up in finisher after finisher.

Hard to beat 12k but if you want to look for naturals with high finish look into jnats. You should be getting a tug free shave with the 12k though. Probably still more learning for honingg to do but learning on natural can be fun, and sometimes more difficult

If my only stone was a Naniwa 12k, my next stone purchase would be a Naniwa 8k. After that I would get a 5k.

The 12K is and has been my finisher for a while and it can put a very nice sharp edge on a razor. Sometimes I think a bit too sharp but then I go to the strop for a few hundred laps and it tones it down just a touch. Had a shave to other day with a 4/8 razor that was extra hollow and thin. In other words, very light in weight. During the shave I wasn't sure it was cutting but it sure was. Like wiping the whiskers off!

You most likely need more time with that 12K. I'm now experimenting with Coticules but have not been very happy yet with my results. I'd say if you want more and want to spend money go the natural stones way. Lots to choose from and after a grand out of your wallet you might find just what you want. Ha. And please do so I dont have to spend the money myself. Ha.

The basis of every great edge is a great bevel set. So as long as you are going with pre honed razors and all you plan on doing is touch ups, stick with the 12K until you have discovered all there is to learn. By that time you will have an idea what you want to get the taste of next. Some naturals you have to have a relationship with, others are pretty user friendly. An Escher is pretty simple and a good likely candidate.

Thank you all for the feedback. I will just continue with the Naniwa 12k I have for the time being. This seems to be the best for my current level, and as it turns out all my favorite shavers from my meager collection are finished on a Naniwa 12k. When the time comes that I come across a SR that needs something more than the 12k, I will go with the Naniwa 8k and take bluesman7's suggestion. Once I master the Naniwa 12k and I happen to find a good deal on an Escher I may pick one up just to give it a try and see if it is for me or not taking Rezdog's suggestion there.

But all n all from the sounds of it, I should just keep shaving and using the Naniwa when needed. - From all of your suggestions.

I'm still waiting for Rez to find me that perfect Thuri for free. Come on Rez. You can find two.

A free thuri is harder to find than a free lunch Jerry!

For me, to take the 12k to the highest level, honing under running water is the way to go. If the surface of the stone isn't perfectly clean before you use it, be sure to use a cleaner stone or lapping stone to ready it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RezDog

A free thuri is harder to find than a free lunch Jerry!

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Come on REZ. Where you live I bet there are hundreds of them laying around. Ha. Its got to bit a pain at times when living in the middle of no where.

its been said, and take It to heart. to be honest you should be taking an 8k to the max and shaving with it. then learn to max your 12k. if you aint there with that 12k, then you still need lots of work. that stone is going to rival just about anything you can try it against. once you get great edges off it then go ahead and try other edges. or have a pro hone your razors on different stones and try them and see what you like.

my guess is if your new you wont be able to tell the difference between the different stones as long as their maxed out. Tc

Great input guys. I will be sticking with the 12k. I am going to take the Goldenedge to it tomorrow morning if time permits and see if I can get rid of that pulling. I will try running water. Have beenI lapping the stone with a DMT 325 prior to using it each time.

Matt you have gotten some good advice here. Taking your time and becoming proficient with your Naniwa 12k will reward you in the future. The Naniwa 12k can produce a very comfortable shave. As you progress read all you can here on honing and hones and you will be much more comfortable in moving on to something else. Ask questions.