Thread: Well, I bit the bullet...

I have a whole pile of razors that I want to restore. I figure this is as good of a time as any to learn to hone.

I just bought:

Naniwa: 400, 1k/3k, 8k, 12k
A flattening stone
A paddle strop and some 1/2 micron compound


Is there anything else I need?

I've honed up a couple of razors on the Naniwa using the 1, 3, 8, and 12 with .5 diamond after, and I don't think you'll need anything. Never used the 400, and I haven't heard anyone talk much about it, so I can't comment on that. I'm sure having it can't be a bad thing!

I'd say you are good to go. Also, congrats. I'm itchy to get some Nani's, but haven't been able to talk myself into ponying up yet.

I bought the entire set of Naniwa's from SRD, I love them. They are very soft stones,and fast cutters. The 12k is great. I've used the 400 with good results. When you get that low, you know you have some serious work to do...I think you'll like the edge you get off the 12k. Try it first before the .5, is it Diamond....See how you like it.
You can always go back to the .5

I've honed razors from Unbeveled (not even butterknifed... unbeveled as in appear to have never had an edge ground on them) to shave ready on a DMT 1200 and ~8k(mesh) King. You've got plenty of stones. Any more and you'll have to admit it's just for the HAD.

Personally I'd go for DMT's up to 1200 over anything else. The advantages of DMTs are heavily favorable at low grits and the disadvantages (people's displeasure with the shave-readyness of the edge off EE's) are meaningless. So if you were just swimming in money (and didn't feel the need to indulge HAD with some natural finishers) I'd probably replace that 400 and 1000 with a F/VF DMT benchstone... but your stones will work fine I'm sure (just a little less convenient). Looks like a really good starter setup in fact. I'm jealous of that 3k... I haven't been willing to spring for one yet, though I do want one.

Originally Posted by IanS

I'd probably replace that 400 and 1000 with a F/VF DMT benchstone...

How does the Nani 400 compare to the DMT's you're talking about?

The fine is 600 the VF is 1200

It's a bit of a bump up grit wise, but DMT claims to be outrageously aggressive for the grit rating at low end (The insert that comes with them makes some claim about 30secs on a DMT being ~10mins on a whetstone) so I doubt the increase would even be noticeable.

I was asking how those DMT's compare to the Naniwa. You said you would replace the Naniwa with the DMT's, so I'm wondering what advantage they offer over the Naniwa.

Only reason I see to ever go under ~1k on a razor is to chew off metal. That requires pressure... that wears waterstones fast... heck that wears oilstones fast. If it's a choice between the highest maintenance option (waterstone) and the lowest (Diamond plate) at the most demanding maintenance level (low grit, aggressive cutting) I'd definitely recommend the maintenance free option unless waterstones offered major advantages, which at this grit, as far as I can see, they offer none. Supposedly DMT's are much faster as well, but I can't vouch for that. I haven't been willing to try to remove metal on whetstones. I'm actually looking to the other direction... power tools.

Now he probably won't need the 400 stone enough that this will even matter, but if someone does look to purchase one who will need that low of a grit commonly, I'd recommend they went for the plates instead of a stone for the reasons above.

Also, personal preference for me is DMT when it's a viable option. Reasons include: storage, durability, preptime (spray bottle vs soaking), surface (DMT bench is quite convenient), and a major personal reason being that I sharpen knives as well... I have to lap my waterstones immediately after I use them on knives before they can be used on razors again. That is a nonissue with DMT's. Less of an issue if you only use the stones for razors, but even razors do wear the stones after awhile (especially some of the meat cleavers I've been working on lately).

I'm sure the OP will value all that info when he considers your recommendation. I know that without all the background, I would not have been able to make an informed decision. I still can't actually, because I don't know anything about the Naniwa 400.

I don't have personal experience with Naniwa's either, but I have worked with other Synthetics in that grit range, and zib is far from the first person I've seen mention that Naniwa's tend to be pretty soft. And from knowing what I use my low grit DMT's for, I can only say I am VERY glad I don't have to worry about maintaining a flat surface on them. Maybe it's a minor inconvenience for others. It'd drive me crazy. I'm a lazy, lazy man. My 4k king is my softest stone... and it is a constant nuisance. Every time I overcorrect an angle for a smile by even the tiniest amount... huge scratch along the surface and once again it's lapping time. And these are zero pressure passes on a polishing stone. Leaning into a grinding stone... I don't want to even think about how often I'd wind up lapping that thing.