Thread: Stop what you are doing and go buy Naniwas

I must finish my Kings, I must finish my kings, it'll be worth it, the learning and the hours spent, I must finish my kings...

I've just sat down and had a long hard look at my finances and needs vs wants - I think I'm going to have to put off on buying ANY hones (Naniwa or otherwise) until my birthday in July - just got too much stuff to get first, like clothes and such. I'll just have to make do with my DE if my razors become too blunt for use before then.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Also whoever was asking about going to a 16k Shapton after the 12k Naniwa I haven't ever thought about using it or the 30k...

The other thing I have noticed is I tend to stay away from harsher Diamond sprays/pastes after the Naniwas, and use the softer CrOx and CeOx...

I was the one asking about the Shapton 16k. after my Nani 12k. Just wondered if there was anything I was missing. Sounds like, "Not really."

En route is SRP's wool strop with the linen extra. 0.5 diamond spray's going on the wool, CrOx is going on one side of the linen. To date, my only paste option has been CrOx on balsa. Typically I touch up with a barber's hone, and use the CrOx after going through the full honing progression with an antique find.

I've read so much about the diamond on wool that I think I have to try it out. Lynn seems to use the spray after the Nani 12k, so it can't be a crazy option.

Has anyone used the CrOx on the hard wool? Perhaps I should be putting that on the side opposite the diamond spray? Or would Crox be better suited for the linen?

I should have pointed that out, different Strops make for different effects...

The Wool is the least "aggressive" I have used so far you don't get the harsh bite with the diamonds that you can get off of other material...

IIRC Lynn was using his wool with one side diamond and one side CrOx cant quite remember though...

Each strop can give different results with the same paste/spray, personally I dont use Balsa at all because I think it is just too harsh but that is a personal opinion and has no proof other than my own face...

I like the diamond spray(.50/.25) on the wool, and I like the CrOx and CeOx on the leather again this is just my own bias...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I should have pointed that out, different Strops make for different effects...

The Wool is the least "aggressive" I have used so far you don't get the harsh bite with the diamonds that you can get off of other material...

IIRC Lynn was using his wool with one side diamond and one side CrOx cant quite remember though...

Each strop can give different results with the same paste/spray, personally I dont use Balsa at all because I think it is just too harsh but that is a personal opinion and has no proof other than my own face...

I like the diamond spray(.50/.25) on the wool, and I like the CrOx and CeOx on the leather again this is just my own bias...

Thanks for the input. As for CrOx, I was thinking about putting that on the reverse side of my SRD red latigo. Does anyone have any e experience with that leather and CrOx? Or does the leather need to be suede-like or nappier?

Originally Posted by Basset

This morning I sold a DE and used the $ to buy a Naniwa 3k. We'll see how it works.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I knew DE's had to have some use; they can be pawned off to others for useful equipment!

;-p

I have been hanging onto a certain special unused Gillette with the case and cardboard box just for something like this. If I sell it, I could get the whole kit and kaboodle, plus a lapping plate. I would never use it, it's just too nice. Something for a real collector.

Man, have I been jonesing over these Naniwas! You guys have just about put me over the top.

And in my sort time here, I've gathered more razors than I can afford to send out to be honed. Time to start learning my own.

Kevin

Originally Posted by kevbell

I have been hanging onto a certain special unused Gillette with the case and cardboard box just for something like this. If I sell it, I could get the whole kit and kaboodle, plus a lapping plate. I would never use it, it's just too nice. Something for a real collector.

Man, have I been jonesing over these Naniwas! You guys have just about put me over the top.

And in my sort time here, I've gathered more razors than I can afford to send out to be honed. Time to start learning my own.

Kevin

That's the way it was with me. I kept finding vintage straights at antique shops and it was clear that getting them all honed would be very costly.

So I sent a couple out for honing (Ken Rupkalvis) and used those as models for my own honing efforts.

Then I bought a DMT 8c lapping plate, then Naniwa 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k hones. Free shipping from SRD was nice.

Perhaps it was beginner's luck, but my very first effort at honing an antique store find was quite successful. (It was a W&B half-hollow in pretty good shape (no warping, hone wear, or chips)).

I started with 2-handed honing with a light touch, and had no problems. Lynn's video re the circle technique really speeds up the process, or so it seems.

You'll probably like the Naniwa hones, and of course, you can always recoup most of the investment by selling them on the boards.

I just picked up the Nani 3k and will be trying it this weekend.

Originally Posted by kevbell

I have been hanging onto a certain special unused Gillette with the case and cardboard box just for something like this. If I sell it, I could get the whole kit and kaboodle, plus a lapping plate. I would never use it, it's just too nice. Something for a real collector.

Man, have I been jonesing over these Naniwas! You guys have just about put me over the top.

And in my sort time here, I've gathered more razors than I can afford to send out to be honed. Time to start learning my own.

Kevin

Out of curiosity .... which model Gillette ? If you learn how to hone your own it can be great fun. Especially if you have a lot of razors to practice on. Talk about something being habit forming. You'll see why Lynn calls it a sport.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Out of curiosity .... which model Gillette ? If you learn how to hone your own it can be great fun. Especially if you have a lot of razors to practice on. Talk about something being habit forming. You'll see why Lynn calls it a sport.

It's a president. Still has all the paper tags and an unopened pack of blades.

Kevin

Originally Posted by kevbell

It's a president. Still has all the paper tags and an unopened pack of blades.

Kevin

One of the most beautiful models Gillette ever made. I've had a couple come and go when I was really into vintage DEs. You're right about the value of one in pristine condition with all of the extras. If I had it I would be torn between hanging on to it or cashing in.