Thread: Help with Naniwa set up

Originally Posted by khaos

I'm also still considering the Shapton 1k 4k 8k which would be a lot easier. I just have to think about the Nani's though. And it turns out that a Nani 5k is actually close in micron size to a Shapton 8k and I think a Norton 8k. I don't have the chart on my laptop but its on SRP somewhere. which makes life even harder. Basically people have found (and the micron sizes of the different grits support it) that pyramiding nani 3k/5k is like a norton 4k/8k. Sigh.

Karl, at first glance that is the impression I got too but not quite. First of all if Smokintbird's grit chart is accurate the Shapton pro and glass are the same in microns as the Naniwa and that puts a Naniwa 3/5 in the same ballpark as a Norton 4/8 but not exactly. IOW if you look at the microns on the right in the chart rather than where the stones are listed in the text the grits are close but not naniwa 3k = norton 4k.

IMO in honing it appears to be better to do the pyramid with a 2 or a 3k and a 5k if you're using the Japanese hones for the same result, or close to it if you are using the Nortons.

When I first got the Shapton pros I did pyramids with the 5/8 and it seemed like I wasn't getting anywhere. I eventually was able to get some results but it took a lot of time. I found myself going to the Norton 4/8 most of the time and the Shap pro 15 for icing on the cake.

Yesterday my Naniwas arrived and I lapped a 1k and set a bevel then a 3/5k and did 1 aggressive and 1 conservative pyramid and shaved. I got the same shave as I would have if I had used the Norton 4/8.

I could have done the same thing with my Shapton pros using a 2/5 (they don't make a 3k) but I sent all of my Shapton pros to a friend who wanted to try them out and I won't have them back for a week or two. I will give it a go with the 2/5 when I get them back but I think I like the Naniwa better.

While it may be jumping the gun to recommend the Naniwa set after honing 1 razor I have to say that I love the feel of these stones. As I have read they have a really nice feel when the blade is on the hone and they seem to be very efficient cutters.

On the one HC blade, a vintage 8/8 Henckles they didn't load up and cut fast. The thing is I really liked the feel. I will take that same razor today and give it one more conservative pyramid.

Then I will go to the 8k and do some polishing and shave again. I will do the 10 and 12k tomorrow and shave with it yet again and I will also do the 3/5 pyramids on a few others. I think I am on to something here but it requires further testing.

Anyway, it seems like the Naniwas may have shot the Shaptons out of the saddle for me and the Nortons too.