Thread: DMT vs Naniwa

Opinions on honing and stones vary wildly as do how people achieve razor sharpness. I'm looking at two different methods, diamond honing versus wet stone honing. The DMT 1200 and 8000 or the Naniwa super stone set 1000, 5000, 8000. Lapping versus no lapping. Both sets will require a polishing stone. Please give me reasons to choose one system over the other and which stone would you use to do the final polishing?

Let's hear from all the hone masters, pick your poison!

I have to go with the naniwas because I like the feel of the edges on my face better than if I was using the plates. I have the plates BTW so I have compared them. I would get the naniwas, a dmt 325 to lap them and a naniwa 12k to finish them.

naniwas will be a lot better choose. You could add 12k too and that is all.gl

I think the Naniwas are a better option for a new guy, because they are much gentler on the razors so you are less likely to remove excessive amounts of steel from your razor.

Also, you can get a great shave off the Naniwa 8k, so you won't need to invest in a polisher right away. If you can't get a really good shave off your Naniwa 8k, a polishing hone won't help you. (I do have a DMT8k, but I've not tried shaving off it yet, so I can't comment on that, but since Jimmy has already commented on that we know his preference, which I myself would take as an answer.)

woodturner,

+1 on the above advice.

I am very much a honing newbie, and the Naniwas have given me excellent results

I use the 1, 3, 8 & 12k for the honing itself, and the 10 or 12k for monthly touch-ups.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Fixable stone vs non-fixable steel plate...

Shave results (wait for it) aside... The stone must be flattened and is flattenable. The plate SHOULD be flat but who's to say that it still is after the grit has been aplied and used for a while, there is no fixing that...

Get a DMT Course and a JNAT all you need.

Originally Posted by Memorael

Get a DMT Course and a JNAT all you need.

SHHHH No giving out the secrets...

+1 on the Naniwas. The DMT's are pretty aggressive I find, and I had to rehone en eBay razor that the seller had honed up to 8k DMT. The edge was like a hacksaw, and very harsh on the skin.

Definately go with the Naniwas, you wont be disappointed with them! I use the 1/3/8/12k stones, and then finish on a Nakayama Maruichi or Charnley Forest, and thats giving me the best edges I've ever had. They really are excellent stones..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

By the way,
after the Naniwa Super 8k NO polishing stone is required.
You can strop on chromium oxide or 0.5 diamond and shave as comofrtable as it gets!

I would go with Naniwa Super all the way.
Nice feel, perfect (and I mean perfect) polish, good quickness.