Thread: Naniwa Superstone 12k

I have N10k, N12k, and GS16k. I haven't really been able to conclude which is better. (I'm a knife sharpening addict so I had the 10k and 16k before I ever started with razors.) I've never tried the Norton 8k.

The two Naniwas are softer so they need lapping sooner, but they lap like warm butter. They are harder to keep wet during use and are probably less dimensionally stable. I think they leave a finer finish, but that might be steel dependent. I've only used these stones on a half dozen ebay razors, so I don't have extensive basis for opinions. I wish someone at Naniwa would explain why there is a 10k and 12k superstone.

For a home user that just wants to develop and maintain a modest set of razors I would go with lapping film The waterstones are fun to play with though.

In addition to str8's, I've been sharpening knives for the better part of 30 years. I have some old Norton oil stones that are about 12 x 2.5 or so..I have the entire Naniwa line.
Many times, I'll go from the 10k to 12k, then onto the Shapton 16k. It gives me great edges, and awesome shaves. If money was an issue, I'd skip the 12k, and go to pastes.
If you can afford it, I think it does provide some benefit. I really like the edge I get off my Naniwa 12k by itself too.

Originally Posted by currentman

Now theres a vendor with integrity

You fool! he just knows if you pass on the 12k, after several sleepless night you'll buy a 30k shapton instead! cause you know, an extra 2k is no big deal, but an extra 20k...! ahhhhhh, find myself being pulled by unseen hands to the sharpening center........must resist.........must resist........

Originally Posted by gary haywood

I have to say one thing jimmy you carn't beat the feeling of the 8k side of a norton in my opinion. I have the set of naniwas and i find they have a greasy feeling to them thats the feed back i get they look nice and come on a realy nice stand my advice is don't waste your cash the norton s do the same job if not better if you did'nt have either then the choice would be yours give a couple of months and there will be a new wet stone on the market it just goes on and on i fell in the trap like a lot of people do thinking could this hone be better. if you want you can buy mine there brand new i just lapped them.

I'm sorry but I respectfully disagree. I've used my 7 Norton hones for over 2 years. I haven't touched them since I bought almost the full line of Naniwas. I can't imagine ever bothering to go back to the Nortons. In my opinion, the Naniwas are just plain better. I don't understand the description of a "greasy feeling." For me, the Naniwas just plain feel better. I like them. I'm hooked on them. Of course, I'm still considering a set (or two) of Shaptons, because my curiosity remains rampant, but I am really glad that I bought my Naniwas.

Sure, there will occasionally be another next big SRP craze in hones. Lynn has openly declared a progression of hones that he has recommended. He used to consider the Coticules and Eschers to be ultimate finishers. He's now recommended other things. Lately he's praised the Naniwas and surprise, surprise...he sells them on SRP. Now, you might think that he got a good deal on them so he's hawking them on SRP. I doubt that is the reason. The man could sell any line of hones he chooses. If I had a website to selling razor honing supplies, I would do my damndest to sell Naniwas because I personally have found them to be incredibly good hones.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Lynn has openly declared a progression of hones that he has recommended. He used to consider the Coticules and Eschers to be ultimate finishers. He's now recommended other things.

ARRRGGHHH !!! Fourteen coticules, six Eschers and a couple of thousand dollars later .....

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

ARRRGGHHH !!! Fourteen coticules, six Eschers and a couple of thousand dollars later .....

Only 6?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

ARRRGGHHH !!! Fourteen coticules, six Eschers and a couple of thousand dollars later .....

Three coticules, 2 eschers and a Nakayama...I'm catchin' up Jimmy!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Sure, there will occasionally be another next big SRP craze in hones....

.....used to consider the Coticules and Eschers to be ultimate finishers. He's now recommended other things. Lately he's praised the Naniwas......

And that's why I bought the shaptons.

I know you've gotten a lot of experience honing, so it's VERY safe to believe you when you say the naniwas are good, but it just seems like if you ask 10 experience razor honemeisters what the "best" set of hones is, you'll get at least 20 different answers.

I needed a set of hones, the shaptons were on sale for a GREAT price, I bought all the hones I was going to need for honing razors.

Agreed. I don't think I would ever ever advise a particular set of hones to be the best. Individual tastes comes into play too much to allow me to suggest that, but I am perfectly comfortable recommending hones as being really good. I'd say my Nortons, Naniwas, Eschers, coticules, Japanese hones, and a few dozen barber hones all fall into that category. They'll all get your razors sharp if you figure out how to use them.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I'm sorry but I respectfully disagree. I've used my 7 Norton hones for over 2 years. I haven't touched them since I bought almost the full line of Naniwas. I can't imagine ever bothering to go back to the Nortons. In my opinion, the Naniwas are just plain better. I don't understand the description of a "greasy feeling." For me, the Naniwas just plain feel better. I like them. I'm hooked on them. Of course, I'm still considering a set (or two) of Shaptons, because my curiosity remains rampant, but I am really glad that I bought my Naniwas.

Sure, there will occasionally be another next big SRP craze in hones. Lynn has openly declared a progression of hones that he has recommended. He used to consider the Coticules and Eschers to be ultimate finishers. He's now recommended other things. Lately he's praised the Naniwas and surprise, surprise...he sells them on SRP. Now, you might think that he got a good deal on them so he's hawking them on SRP. I doubt that is the reason. The man could sell any line of hones he chooses. If I had a website to selling razor honing supplies, I would do my damndest to sell Naniwas because I personally have found them to be incredibly good hones.

It's funny - I feel the same way about my Shaptons. When I first started looking for "the best" sharpening system for my reed knives, I purchased many different hones. And even though I have my Shapton Pros, I still keep an open mind, and keep looking for something better - not that I am dissatisfied with my Shaptons - I think the search for sharpening knowledge includes knowing as much as I can about every kind of sharpening medium to better serve my customers' needs, as well as my own. It also makes my posts look much better!

Everyone's standards and criteria for evaluating what stones or system is "better" is different depending on budget, tolerance, skills, knowledge, and desire to spend time sharpening. The SRD and the like cater specifically to the straight razor market, and they provide what they think are the best suited products that meet all of those criteria.

The problem I keep having is that my Shaptons always win out. (for my criteria - you'll notice that I am probably the only retalier in the world selling only Shapton, and no other sharpening product lines.)