Thread: Norton vs. Naniwa

Ok, so I've been shaving for a little over a year with a straight razor and have accumulated three razors so far--two new ones from SRD and a vintage one that belonged to my wife's great grandfather that Glenn did a beautiful restoration on. I'm getting proficient enough with them to learn which techniques to use with which razors and to know that I'm not really good enough yet to use a wedge. Now I'm starting to watch the classifieds for a barber hone for touch-ups.

But as is perhaps frequent, I'm beginning to think about learning to hone. In addition to looking for a barber hone for touch ups of the razors I already have, I'm wondering about getting a set of hones to use on any razors I can pick up in antique stores, etc.

I've ready the honing sections of the Wiki and read through a number of posts in this area of the forum as well. I know that many learned on the Norton system and have stated that it is a good system to learn to hone with. On the other hand, I know that some who started with the Norton have switched to the Naniwa stones and these are supposed to be excellent.

The cost of an a starter Norton set (220/1K, 4K/8K, and a flattening stone) on Amazon is $180. The price of the Naniwa Value pack (with 5K, 8K, and 12K grits) is $174 and a lapping plate would be another $22. So the startup costs for the two systems is roughly the same.

What is the recommendation of the experienced honers in this situation? Is one system better than the other to learn on? Would it be better just to get one system and perfect one's technique on it without worrying about the other system? If so, which one?

Also, is there anything I'm overlooking?

I don't think it matters which set you get - they are both great if you spend the time to learn to use them.

But there are some differences. The Nortons extend to lower grits, which will allow you set bevels. The Naniwa set extends higher, giving you a finisher. You could add a bevel setter to the Naniwa kit; you could add a finisher to the Norton set.

Also, For the Norton set, the Flattening Stone will need to be lapped initially and then periodically, so you will still need something to lap with. If the lapping plate for $22 you are referring to is the Naniwa one, that too will need to be lapped initially and then periodically. For this reason, I prefer a DMT-325 (Coarse) for lapping my hones.

SRD has the Norton set for $127 now,so the price is a bit different so now there is a choice...


I like the feel of the Naniwas myself they are fantastic,,, But the Norton is a workhorse set... As Dylan pointed out you need a bevel setter with the Naniwa set if you are E-baying..

The Norton set will sharpen any razor bottom to top I have never seen it fail... The Naniwa will sharpen it more comfortable

So the choice is really irrelevant until much later in your honing career, and by then you will own both anyway hehehe

I think the Naniwa set you described is incomplete. If you intend to do your own honing beyond maintenance, then you will need something lower than 5k. Bevel setting is almost universally done on the 1k, and I personally don't like the jump from 1k to 5k. I'm a big fan of the 2k that no one mentions. In fact, I had a hard time finding one when I got mine.

This is very helpful. Thank you all for your replies.

So if I went with the Norton set that Glen very helpfully pointed out was now $127 at SRD, I would wind up paying an extra $72 for the Naniwa 12K for a total of $199. On the other hand, if I went with the Naniwa set, I could pay only $37 for the Norton 1K for a total of $211--again roughly the same price as going the other way.

Either way, if I have the Naniwa 12K I shouldn't need a barber hone for finishing, should I?

And Holli4, thanks for the suggestion of the DMT-325 for lapping the hones.

Any other input?

Flip a coin

The Naniwa 12k is plenty good as a finisher you don't need anything after it....In fact most all barber's hones after that would be going down in grit (comparatively since they don't have grit ratings)

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Flip a coin

Aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh. . . . You're killing the systematic approach I've been trying to work with!

But seriously, that's pretty much what I had surmised. I just needed someone to tell me that my thinking wasn't completely off-base.

In that case I can go ahead and stage my purchases: get the Naniwa 12K first (and the DMT-325 to lap it with) so I can try my hand at touching up my current razors as needed, followed soon by the Norton set--though I don't really have any other razors yet to work on. But of course, once I buy the Norton set then I'll have an excuse to buy a razor or two to work on, right?

Once again, I'm amazed by the wealth of knowledge on this board and the willingness of the participants to help newcomers. Many thanks!

Or buy the Naniwa set and don't worry about anything to set a bevel with until I need to do so. AAAAAAAAARGGGHHHHHH!

Do you remember which stones I used to hone your W&B with ????
I always write the set I used on that info sheet in with the razor...

Might help you decide if you liked the finish on that one...

or the nani 3/8 combo and a 12k and get a 1k when needed