Looking for a good set of stones... Tips?

[mainaman]

for razors and for knives at the same time I'd go for super stones

[holli4pirating]

I don't know about knives, so I'll skip that part.

For lapping, I really prefer a DMT. The Norton and Naniwa lapping plates themselves need to be lapped now and then; they are whetstones. A DMT will always be flat, so it's easier in that regard.

[nun2sharp]

I agree with Dylan, go with the DMT and for the same reasons.

[gssixgun]

Having used just about all of them at one time or another, If I had to pick only one system with what I know now, I would pick the Naniwa SS..

I have a very simple reason for it too, when I get problem razors in, you know the ones people say are chippy, hard to hone, etc: etc: I always seems to end up on the Naniwas to get it sorted out... Easy razors to hone, it just doesn't much matter what Stones/Hones you use...

The only thing that would have me thinking Norton instead of Naniwa is if by chance you hone mostly Heavy Sheffield Steel,

Of course this is just one man's opinion, and YMMV yada yada yada

Honestly though whatever you end up with you can adapt with to make it work...

[thehekler]

Thanks for the tips guys, sounds like I'll definitely need a DMT for lapping is the 220 okay? I know most use the 125 but I don't mind the extra time spent lapping if a 220 will work and figure the finer grit on the lapping plate can only help to give an end result with a finer scratch pattern. Seems like the naniwa SS system has a lot of believers, there's three reasons I stayed away from that when first looking, I want to buy a set and SRD offers a set with 5/8/12 so I would buy an additional 1k I was worried the jump from 1k to 5k would be a little bit more then is recommended leading to more work (which I don't mind) and more difficult progress (which I do mind). Also if I went with the SS line would it be better to buy a 1k SS or the Chosera 1k, and finally is it really possible for the 12k SS to give as fine a finish as the 16k Shapton? Thanks again guys the honing side or straights is new to me just trying to get as much knowledge as possible before jumping in.

[gssixgun]

Thanks for the tips guys, sounds like I'll definitely need a DMT for lapping is the 220 okay? I know most use the 125 but I don't mind the extra time spent lapping if a 220 will work and figure the finer grit on the lapping plate can only help to give an end result with a finer scratch pattern. Seems like the naniwa SS system has a lot of believers, there's three reasons I stayed away from that when first looking, I want to buy a set and SRD offers a set with 5/8/12 so I would buy an additional 1k I was worried the jump from 1k to 5k would be a little bit more then is recommended leading to more work (which I don't mind) and more difficult progress (which I do mind). Also if I went with the SS line would it be better to buy a 1k SS or the Chosera 1k, and finally is it really possible for the 12k SS to give as fine a finish as the 16k Shapton? Thanks again guys the honing side or straights is new to me just trying to get as much knowledge as possible before jumping in.

I believe that most of us use the DMT 325 for lapping except for the worst of jobs...

If you can afford the Chosera, get it

The 1K --5K is not a problem

Don't get hung up on the numbers, I doubt you could feel a difference between the 16k Shapton and the 12k Naniwa in the shave...

[smgunn]

I believe that most of us use the DMT 325 for lapping except for the worst of jobs...

If you can afford the Chosera, get it

The 1K --5K is not a problem

Don't get hung up on the numbers, I doubt you could feel a difference between the 16k Shapton and the 12k Naniwa in the shave...

+1 with the 1k-5k
I have the 1 5 8 &12k Naniwa SS's and it seems the 1 to 5 jump easily for me. I was worried when I bought it but Lynn assured me that it was no problem with the SS's. I had planned on buying the 3k as soon as my wife allowed me to make another "hobby" purchase just incase (not in doubt of Lynn but of my own ability). I immediately realized though that the 1k-5k wasn't a problem at all and I still haven't bought the 3k (though I do intend on having the entire set, eventually).
Just to make sure I don't give the wrong impression, I haven't even been honing for a year. I'm wary of giving advice because everything that I think and do could be absolutely wrong (though if I'm agreeing with Glen and Lynn then I'm most likely right). And my face appears to be very, Very happy with what's going on (but what does it know?).

Glen, I wanted to ask what the Issue with Sheffield steel and SS's was. And if it is just certain grinds that have the problem.
Thanks,
Sean

[mlp2147]

Great thread! Thanks for posting.
Mike

[Legion]

I know this in no way answers your question, since you seem to have your heart set on a synthetic set of stones, but today I did two more razors, from bevel set to scary sharp, with a coticle and some CrOx. My synthetic stones have been gathering dust since I got my coticules worked out. It's just so much more convenient. One stone, no soaking, no drying out, very little lapping. I'm a coticle convert. There was a bit of a learning curve, but it really is an option.

[gssixgun]

[QUOTE=smgunn;794655Glen, I wanted to ask what the Issue with Sheffield steel and SS's was. And if it is just certain grinds that have the problem.
Thanks,
Sean[/QUOTE]

Issue is the wrong word, they just would not be my first choice of stone if I were an Old Sheffiled Chopper shaver... They sharpen them just fine..

BTW I am a picky bastard and I have the choices to pick what direction I want to go...