Thread: Chosera

I think I might have skirted around this subject before.

I am very likely going to get a 1k chosera but from everything i've read it will almost certainly craze because I am honing my own razors and won't use it often (enough).

Do I care if my Chosera crazes, will it matter, will it affect my razors, can I just lap the crazing off?

Is a Chosera 1k really that much better than the other stones?

Originally Posted by STF

I think I might have skirted around this subject before.

I am very likely going to get a 1k chosera but from everything i've read it will almost certainly craze because I am honing my own razors and won't use it often (enough).

Do I care if my Chosera crazes, will it matter, will it affect my razors, can I just lap the crazing off?

Is a Chosera 1k really that much better than the other stones?

Why not just get the Naniwa Super Stone 1K instead unless you are going to be doing a ton of razors from bevel set and up. Once the bevel is set you should rarely need to go all the way back to a bevel setter 1K.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Why not just get the Naniwa Super Stone 1K instead unless you are going to be doing a ton of razors from bevel set and up. Once the bevel is set you should rarely need to go all the way back to a bevel setter 1K.

Bob

I already have a 1K superstone Bob but people tell me that a chosera is The stone to use so I am just checking out my options. You do make a good point though, I shouldn't need to set a bevel often once it's been done.

Yes, the super/specialty stone is fine for all purposes. But....if you see yourself restoring more razors down the road, you might think about the professional series.

As some call it..the big green brick.!

I wore out 1 super stone, bought another, then bought the professional.

Long story short. Wishes I'd bought the pro in the beginning. No crazing, or warping, and it hardly needs lapped. And I've honed hundreds off it.

If you do decide on the pro, get the dressing stone, too. AKA. The brown turd. It cleans off the swarf, and conditions the surface of the hone. It also works as a slurry stone

Shapton 1.5k Kuromaku is a great stone that doesn't craze or glaze and stop cutting.
I have had Norton and Naniwa - always shied away from Chosera's for the same reason.
Can't recommend it enough!

I aint bragging here

I set more bevels than anyone that I know of, many are NOT in great shape at all

So far after all the 1k's I have tried nothing compares to the Chosera/Pro 1k to do the job

I am on my second one now,,

This one is the Pro my first was the Chosera

Both have been excellent hones, and honestly I abuse mine, they are simply tools nothing more..

The biggest attribute of the Green Brick is the Density of the grit, that allows it to cut VERY fast BUT doesn't leave deep Striations like so many 1k's do
I had 2mm left when I passed my first to a new guy that wanted to try it before buying one, I started at 25mm.. Even with my abuse while using it that includes Soaking and Refreshing with a Diamond Plate after every two razors, I was nearing 20,000 razors honed when I replaced it

I actual had a chance to buy a third for a great price and have it as back up, just in case, I won't be without one, they are that good

IME I haven't found one that can beat it yet, if I do I will say so

Originally Posted by STF

I already have a 1K superstone Bob but people tell me that a chosera is The stone to use so I am just checking out my options. You do make a good point though, I shouldn't need to set a bevel often once it's been done.

From my pov, you may well be wasting your money on a Chosera/Professional series 1K if you are not honing hundreds if not thousands of razors as Outback and Glen have been doing. I am not arguing that the Chosera/Professional series is not a superior hone, only that it might be overkill for the average straight razor user doing their own.

Bob

Yep most will never even wear out the 1k you got, your just trying to justify spending to scratch an itch. You won’t set as many bevels in your lifetime as Glen or Mike does in a month, so in short you have a great tool already. And all the glitter of the next best thing is just that. You know I always go back to what glen has said in the beginning and it still holds true;

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

I don't regret getting my Chosera 1k. Mine did get the little cracks, but it didn't effect the honing at all.

If the cost is a hang-up, I agree with others that the Chosera is faster than the superstones but does not leave deep scratches, so if you value your time, it's worth it. I also had wet/wait/lap my superstones but never had that issue with the Chosera. Another time saver, plus less prep work.

You'd have to check your local prices but Naniwa also has the Gouken Arata range which is the Chosera but in 15 mm instead of 25mm & it has no stand or nagura supplied. Big price difference on the 10 k down here, the 1k maybe $50 cheaper.