Thread: 12k Naniwa - is Barber hone needed?

I'm thinking of getting the Naniwa set: 5K, 8K and 12K.

I'm also thinking picking up a barber hone.

If I have a 12K Naniwa would the barber hone be needed? Could the 12K be used for refreshing the blade instead?

Also - is CrOx necessary or would 12K Naniwa, canvas and leather be fine?

(Btw my canvas is home made denim strop).

Thanks,
Michael.

The 12K is much finer than any barber hone I can think of, so you would not need the latter.
Most touchups, the 12K would probably be just fine (paste afterward optional), unless you had really let it go a long time. Then a lower grit hone might speed the process up. A really light touchup might even be fine with just paste.

CrOx is a matter of personal preference--I use it after the 12K for extra smoothness, but it's a YMMV type of thing. Only you can decide if you like it.

Hope this helps.

I also don't think the barber hone would be necessary if you already have a high grit hone such as the naniwa 12k. I don't have the Naniwas, but anything of such a high grit would be more than suitable than for touch ups. The benefit you would have with a barber hone is that it's much smaller and better suited for travel.

I also agree with the chromium oxide, it's not necessary. You really should be able to get great shaves straight from the 12k (with regular stropping), but you can add the paste afterwards if you prefer the feel, but it's truly optional IMO.

I'm a big fan of barber hones, and I maintain some of my razors with only barber hones, but the Naniwas are more than sufficient by themselves. Usually the 12k should be sufficient. If you fall behind with the honing, you might need to drop down to the 8k but only a few strokes should probably be sufficient. The Naniwas are great hones.

The Naniwa hones are all you will ever need but the barber hone can be stored inside the medicine cabinet and used at a moments notice! Barber hones usually range in the 8000 - 10,000 grit range. They don't cost much, travel very well and fit in your shirt pocket!

Originally Posted by randydance062449

They don't cost much,

Unless they get caught in a bidding frenzy on the bay! (Like one I'm watching at the moment )

Thanks again everyone - so many choices out there!!

There seems to be a difference in the Grits between one company and the next. I started out using the 4/8k Norton with some belgians and nani's mixed in. Then I went to all Nani's and here is what I found. The 3k nani was = 4k norton. The 5k nani = 8k norton. The 8k nani = 12k, and the 12k nani = 16k shapton. Now as confusing as this may seem, it really isn't once you get the numbers straight in your head. So here is my procedure. To set the bevel I like to use the 1200 DMT and finish with the 1k nani. This speeds things up, and the nani smooths things out. I then do my pyramid with the 3k/5k nani's and then go to the 8k for about 20 strokes. Then I go to the 16k shapton because I just like it better than the 12k nani. From there I go to a dry spyderco Ultra fine. This stone was introduced to me by Leighton, and it really gives a nice smooth finish. Problem with it though, it took 4 hrs to flatten. Then I strop as usual and most of the time declare it finished.

So here's my take on the barbers hone. The only reason I would consider getting one would be for travel. It is more compact and easier to carry. As for the Nani's... think about a 3k/5k/8k combination instead of the 5k/8k/12k.

Just my humble opinion.

Ray

Originally Posted by rayman

So here's my take on the barbers hone. The only reason I would consider getting one would be for travel. It is more compact and easier to carry. As for the Nani's... think about a 3k/5k/8k combination instead of the 5k/8k/12k.

Ray, I came to the same conclusion on the Japanese synthetics based on the PDF grit comparison chart posted by Smokintbird here. In honing on the Naniwa Superstones it does seem that is an accurate assessment. I say it seems like it because it worked but these things tend to be subjective and I haven't heard Lynn's opinion on it from his perspective. He hones more razors in a month than I've honed in my life.

As for barber hones, I have had one for 25 years that I got from an old barber. I picked up a few more at the behest of HAD and have only recently started fooling with them. Until I felt I had come a pretty good ways in my honing skill I was sticking with larger rocks. Now I like them because it is fun and adds a bit of variety to the mix. Fun in seeing what I can do with a barber hone to improve an 8k edge.

Originally Posted by rayman

So here's my take on the barbers hone. The only reason I would consider getting one would be for travel. It is more compact and easier to carry.

Ray

Wouldn't the Spyderco UF be just as easy to travel with and a better touch up hone than a barber hone?

regards

Originally Posted by rayman

So here's my take on the barbers hone. The only reason I would consider getting one would be for travel. It is more compact and easier to carry. As for the Nani's... think about a 3k/5k/8k combination instead of the 5k/8k/12k.

I completely disagree, after posting the same question last week, and I'll tell you why.

I keep my barber hone in the bathroom cupboard. On my first pass today, I felt like my Admiral's was tugging too much. Instead of having to switch razors, stop to hone, or deal with a bad shave, I just grabbed my barber hone, slapped some lather on it from my brush, did 5 quick laps, and then a quick 25 lap stropping, and I was ready for my second pass. The whole process took only 2 minutes including the extra stropping.

A barber hone is the perfect tool for a quick, no-nonsense touch up.