Thread: The REAL holy grail of hones?

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Thanks for posting Joel! My intent by starting this thread wasn't to say the stone was or wasn't as good as I had heard, but really to see if anyone had in fact used it for straights. I do appreciate your input! I'm not really one to get into real stone cravings (HAD) and try a ton of honing options as we know it can be expensive, but this sounded like a finishing stone one might never want to replace. Hopefully someone will eventually test it out here and we can see the response. Care to trade for some nice shave ready straights with custom scales?

I didn't for a second think anyone was anything other than curious. My solution of course is get the stone and if you don't like it return it. The trade idea is very tempting and I might take you up on it - but truthfully the kind of straight I want is something brand new from 1910 - high end then with MOP scales- but not so rare I can't use it. And even if one turned up I am afraid to get it - I have too many collections and if I get some straight that fits the bill I know I'm going to start collecting them and I just can't - it's not just the time learning about what to get and how - it's not just the time to make sure the collection is stored correctly along with the books and bookmarks, it's everything I try learning these days means something else drops out of my brain - so starting any new collection is a big commitment.

joel

I have the white Naniwa 10k stone. Got it from a guy in Japan looking to increase his market in the U.S. I finish honed a few razors with it and decided not to carry it. Why? Well first, I get a better edge with a Shapton 30k than I have with any other artificial stone. If you've already got Shaptons and are committed to the Shapton system, the 30k is the bomb! I've had a few people physically come over in the last month to have me hone their razors. I finish on the Shap 30 and when they test it out, they all do the same thing . . . smile broadly and start giggling. It's THAT sharp. If you do your final honing on a Shap 16, you could try finishing on a hone such as a coticule, escher, or the Naniwa. People do ask me if the shap 30 is that much better than the Shap 16 and my answer is yes, absolutely. I'll get razor burn after only a 16k but not after a 30k.
As most of you who know me already know . . . I prefer natural stones over synthetic ones as I enjoy the honing experience more due to the feel and feedback of a natural hone.

Howard

Originally Posted by Philadelph

So I have been checking out some hones and came across a lot of talk about this particular stone... The Naniwa Chocera 10k. Now I know it doesn't sound like much... 10k whatever, but seriously this stone is supposed to be IT. This is a different series than the Naniwa Superstones so make sure you look into the Chocera 10k. Anyway, supposedly it is the ultimate stone for finishing samurai swords. I started reading a lot of reviews and people say that it IMPROVES the edge after using alllll kinds of finishing hones including shapton gs 16k with ONE PASS. Now they aren't talking straight razors, but honestly people have said that ANY knife honed on this with one pass after being polished up to a good level will be significantly improved. Anyone look into it for Razors yet? I'm surprised I haven't heard much talk of it here. Then again, it is an expensive stone. Anyone use it??

Originally Posted by Howard

I have the white Naniwa 10k stone. Got it from a guy in Japan looking to increase his market in the U.S.

Naniwa does make a bunch of white/ish hones around 10k so can you double check that it's the Chosera? I think it is their newest hone series but not sure when exactly they came out. They are supposed to feel more like a natural than other synthetics.

It's not white, it's a pale blue and comes wrapped in a golden yellow dusting cloth. Naniwa are very proud of it.

Take a look at the German internet site, it's really interesting, the size of the range and the different shapes and sizes they make.

Naniwa Deutschland - Naniwa-Lexikon

There's just one thing that I would appreciate someone clearing up for me, how come prices within the EU (at Rasurpur and the German site that English linked to) are so much cheaper than in the US, where the cheapest option is around about $260. I have never known products to cost more in America than in Europe.
This may sound a little silly, I know most people complain about prices being too high in Europe, not too low, but does this mean that there are two different versions of the stone? One for the US and one for the EU? Like Shapton with there domestic market Hano-Kuromako stones and the Pro-series for the rest of the world.
Kind regards,
Alex

That is weird indeed. I am used to simple dollars for euros substitution, which extra money on top
Usually the price in euros is the price in dollar x 1.25, not the other way around.

Originally Posted by Bruno

That is weird indeed. I am used to simple dollars for euros substitution, which extra money on top
Usually the price in euros is the price in dollar x 1.25, not the other way around.

I know, according to today's exchane rate 110 Euros (the price on the German site) comes to $140.966, compared to $269.95 at Tools for Working Wood. I'm not knocking Joel's prices here, he is by far and away the cheapest US seller of these stones, the few other sellers I was made aware of were asking $300 and up. I just don't see how these can be the same stones with such a big price difference, especially as that price difference works out costing European consumers less for once
Kind regards,
Alex

There is nothing to clear up. It's the same hone. It's just less expensive at Rasupur.de. Well it is at the moment. No conspiracy theory just a fair price of a respected trader.

Originally Posted by English

There is nothing to clear up. It's the same hone. It's just less expensive at Rasupur.de. Well it is at the moment. No conspiracy theory just a fair price of a respected trader.

Yeah, well thanks English. The one thing I would like to clear up is the suggested retail that Naniwa places on the hone. IOW, is Martin pricing it lower then suggested or is Joel pricing it higher? I have bought from both and gotten good service and prices.

My HAD is kicking up but I need this hone like I need another hole in my head. Worst of all after reading the blurbs I want to get the 2, 5 and 10. I probably will just stick with the dozen or more I now have figuring the grass is always greener on the other side but it is always grass.

I'm right where you are, Jimmy. Trying to convince myself of the fact that I have all the stones I'd ever really need to hone any type of razor and instead start working with each stone extensively to really begin to know each stone backwards and forwards.

Chris L