Thread: Hone buying question

I need some honest feedback.... I am looking into getting a set of hones. This is what I am looking at...either the Norton starter kit with the 220/1000, 4000/8000 combos and a lapping stone or the Naniwa 1000, 3000/8000 combo from SRD. Please help with some input.

The only one of those that I have is the 1000 Naniwa and I'm very happy with it. Cuts a beautiful bevel with a minimum of fuss. You might want to consider a finer polisher than the 8000, as well, though people do get good shaves off that grit. Hope this helps, there's a wealth of information on both types on the forums.

Either will work fine. There's loads of info on the Nortons, so if you get stuck, someone can surely help. Lots of guys also like the Naniwas. If cost doesn't matter (Nortons tend to be a bit cheaper), you won't really go wrong w/ either choice. You will need something to lap with, though. (Good quality) wet/dry sandpaper will do fine, but after a while, you'll find a D8C to be more cost-effective. You could end up spending as much on sandpaper as on the diamond plate after a while!

Personally I'd go for the Naniwas. I've been hearing nothing but rave reviews about them, loads of people use them on SRP so theres a good support network and they dont need soaking before use, just a quick spray of water and you're ready to go!

+1 on the Naniwas.

The 8000 leaves a decent edge, smoother than you might think, and if you want finer you could strop on CrOx or add the 10,00 or 12,000 offering in the same range of hones.

I don't rate the norton 220 very highly - unless you like honing with the stone practically submerged (or keep flooding it with water every 5-10 laps or so) and enjoy lapping a lot: it goes concave alarmingly quickly. At that sort of grit a coarse diamond plate is a better option, plus you can use it for lapping. And you will have to make some provision for lapping, even if it is only a truly flat surface with various grades of abrasive paper laid on it.

What Stubear says about soaking is very true - the naniwas only need a bit of water on the surface immediately prior to honing.

Regards,
Neil

One thing that is nice about the Nortons is you get the whole set for $120 (w/ free shipping too!) at amazon. here
The naniwas will likely be more expensive and require shipping. As well as a lapping plate. Though from what I've read the norton one breaks down and requires lapping itself so....
One thing I would be weary of, but I've heard its been done before is going 3k to 8k on the Naniwas but it shouldn't be bad just use less pressure on the 3k and a few more laps on the 8k.

I think either way you have a good support system but I personally (from limited use of the Nortons) prefer the Naniwas. However a wise man once posted: pick some stones and stick to them, its more about knowing how to use what you've got well than having "the best" stones.

Thanks for good info I have some time before I make a decision. SRD has free shipping also, so that isn't part of my decision making. Actually both sets are within a few dollars of each other. Anyway thanks again keep posting if there are more out there with info.

Here's another vote for the Naniwa's. I have both sets of stones. One thing, The Nortons have to soak. The Naniwa's dont'....

Originally Posted by zib

Here's another vote for the Naniwa's. I have both sets of stones. One thing, The Nortons have to soak. The Naniwa's dont'....

+ 1, another vote for the Naniwas.

I'm a coticule user but have a general question which might assist the OP too: what happens if you don't soak these Nortons? Do they explode or something?