Thread: Naniwa SS or Shapton Glass Stone

Hey Everyone!!
I am absolutely loving str8's, and I love working with my hands as well as knives and razors, I am really liking the idea of honing and refurbing razors, so naturally I plan to get a set of hones. Oz has been giving me lots of advice on types of hones, as well as a recommended order to purchase .

So I was thinking of getting either: -
1. Naniwa Superstone 400, 1k, 3K, 5K and 8K

or

2. Shapton Glass Stone 500, 1k, 2K, 4K and 8K

Then once I have got enough skills, ill purchase a Japanese Natural or something else for final finishing .

I have noticed the Shaptons are considerable more expensive than the Naniwas, so I'm leaning towards the Naniwas.

I have also spent the last 5 days reading about honing, as well as being fortunate enough to watch Oz honing my razor

So what is everyones opinions on either brands? As well as peoples opinions on purchase order and anything else relating to hones, honing or refurbishing?

Thanks!!!!!
Marco

I can't comment on Shapton vs. Naniwa as I've never worked with Shaptons...

A comment about your Naniwa selection though:
On your Nani's you may want to drop either the 3K or the 5K and add a 12k.
I know you said you want to get a finisher later... For now, you might even get a chinese 12k and a slurry stone for finishing. It's not essential to make a blade shave but, IMO, your face will like you better if you have some kind of a finisher...

As to whether the 3k or 5k Nani is more useful... Well, it seems to be a preference thing, but most people go with the 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k.


I'm a honing rookie, but did a lot of reading before ordering any of my stones. Additionally I know my stones work for a good honing progression.

It doesn't matter which you get, so long as you take the time to learn to use what you do get. They may feel a bit different when honing, but they both work great.

For Naniwas, I don't think you need the 3 and the 5, but that's personal preference. I've tried both, and just 3 and just 5. I decided to buy just the 5.

For Shaptons, I don't think you need the 2 and the 4. I've gone from 1 to 4 and, with nani's, 1 to 5 with no problem and no extra work. Again, personal preference.

I also don't think you'll need or should use a 400 or a 500 as a new guy. IMO, if a bevel needs that much work and you are not comfortable with honing yet, it's not something you should undertake.

Thanks for the input!!!!!!! I see what you mean about the 5k and the 3k. Im thinking maybe just the 5K, that way the jump to 8K isn't as big?

agree with this. I have been using the 3k/8k without any problems with the jump.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

It doesn't matter which you get, so long as you take the time to learn to use what you do get. They may feel a bit different when honing, but they both work great.

For Naniwas, I don't think you need the 3 and the 5, but that's personal preference. I've tried both, and just 3 and just 5. I decided to buy just the 5.

For Shaptons, I don't think you need the 2 and the 4. I've gone from 1 to 4 and, with nani's, 1 to 5 with no problem and no extra work. Again, personal preference.

I also don't think you'll need or should use a 400 or a 500 as a new guy. IMO, if a bevel needs that much work and you are not comfortable with honing yet, it's not something you should undertake.

Thanks , yeah i thought the 400 was a bit rough lol, especially for a beginner

What about the Naniwa 3k/8k combo?

Could i get 1k, 3k/8k combo and 12k? Would that be the cheapest way?

The 1k, 3k/8k combo is $194.97, and the 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k is $206.98, where the 5k, 8k and 12k come in that combo thing on SRD.

For the exta $12 i could get the 5k, and all the stones would have a base.

Im liking the 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k for $206.98, looks like a nice range and they all have that base :P

Whats everyones input?

P.S. I just won an auction on eBay for this razor. I should get her in 7-10 days . Ill be able to start cleaning her up with wet/dry paper till a nice mirror polish . Then get my hands on some hones .

EDIT:
Hmm i cant seem to get the ebay link to work . But its a German forged and ground razor, and its got "Hamburg Ring" on the side

I like the Naniwa 1,3,5,8 and 12. Just what I have found works well for me. For coarse work I use a DMT 600. Dead link on that ebay thing.

For an extra $12, it would be hard for me to pass up the complete set.

Thanks
Yeah i think the 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k would be best to start off with . That way if i need anything in the middle i can buy it, but if i buy something i may not need, i have wasted money .

If anyone else has any inputs it would be much appreciated .

Can anyone tell me how to link ebay pages? I won the auction about 3 hours ago

I dont know if you would ever *need* anything else with that set. You may want to add more stones though

Originally Posted by Spartigus

Thanks
Yeah i think the 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k would be best to start off with . That way if i need anything in the middle i can buy it, but if i buy something i may not need, i have wasted money .

If anyone else has any inputs it would be much appreciated .

Can anyone tell me how to link ebay pages? I won the auction about 3 hours ago