Thread: Buying a Polishing Hone, but which one?

Since money's no issue for you check out Japanblade

Alex is very informative with regards to Japanese naturals. Very passionate and a nice gentleman to boot.

He also goes by the handle Alx.

Check this thread by OLD_SCHOOL

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Since money's no issue for you check out Japanblade

These are European razors. So they should be honed on a European hone. Preferably an Escher. Or a nice Coticule/BBW natural combination stone. One of the fastest ways to burn money in any event.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

These are European razors. So they should be honed on a European hone. Preferably an Escher. Or a nice Coticule/BBW natural combination stone. One of the fastest ways to burn money in any event.

I am not sure if you are being serious or not.
Will you rid yourself of non-european synthetics?
Or why not close the borders further; only german hones on german razors

Originally Posted by kevint

I am not sure if you are being serious or not.

Absolutely not.

I went from a Shapton 8K to a Shapton 16K just recently. I'm very happy.

Not tried the other "finishing" stones. And don't know if my experience would directly translate into a Norton 8K to Shapton 16K situation.

I know the Shapton 16K cuts plenty fast. First time I used it I made some passes, tested..."NICE!!!!!!!!!" Made a few more passes, tested..."Ugghh?" So dropped back down to the 8K, and then up to the 16K and as soon as I had "NICE!!!!!" again I called it good.


My experience in "finishing" stones is limited solely to Shaptons though, so YMMV

The rarest most expensive one!

Seriously... for availability/bang for the buck I'll continue praising the "Chinese 12k" (about 1 micron) forever, in this sea of expensive "exotic" finishers. It's tough to beat... 20-30$ and quite versatile but can be kind of slow if you don't use it with slurry.

Else, I'd consider the naniwa 12k (~8x3" / 72$) or Shapton 16k (~8x3",95$) if you prefer bigger stones.

It seems like you're only really looking to get your razors sharp and enjoy a nice shave so I wouldn't really recommend the Japanese naturals to get like... 0.000000112% more smoothness out of them...

Originally Posted by v76

The rarest most expensive one!

Seriously... for availability/bang for the buck I'll continue praising the "Chinese 12k" (about 1 micron) forever, in this sea of expensive "exotic" finishers. It's tough to beat... 20-30$ and quite versatile but can be kind of slow if you don't use it with slurry.

Else, I'd consider the naniwa 12k (~8x3" / 72$) or Shapton 16k (~8x3",95$) if you prefer bigger stones.

It seems like you're only really looking to get your razors sharp and enjoy a nice shave so I wouldn't really recommend the Japanese naturals to get like... 0.000000112% more smoothness out of them...

I do not think that is true. I have Asagi that is fine enough to skip the CrO strop, the edge off it is just amazing.

I think I've narrowed it to Naniwa 12k, Belgian Coticule, or maybe the Thuringen Timber Tools sells. Any thoughts? I wouldn't mind spending $1200 on a Japanese stone if it was definately the perfect stone, but I don't want to experiment with a $1200 stone that might not be what I want.

Any votes?

Originally Posted by mainaman

I do not think that is true. I have Asagi that is fine enough to skip the CrO strop, the edge off it is just amazing.

That would make it similar to my "C12k", no need for CrO with that one. :P I'm not against Jnats, I'm sure they do a stellar job, but probably not 300-2000% (or even 10000%) better than a C12k...

Jnats look like infinite fun for people really into honing, experimentation and tradition... at the end of the day a smooth edge is a smooth edge and If I can make it with more $$ in my pockets for soaps, creams and razors, that's even better, IMO.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the OP sounded like he just wanted a good and easy to find & use tool without regard to price (if well justified). I'd have a serious look at a Shapton 30k in that case. (But then 30k will probably be the same as CrO... for 300$ more - 16k would be the better deal and better after a N4k/8k)