Naniwa 12k or Swaty for Touch-ups?

[Milkylee]

If I am only looking for a touch-up hone would it be better to buy a Naniwa 12k or a Swaty? I know this is just an opinion question, but I would love some feedback. Also where is the cheapest place to buy a Naniwa 12k if I decide to buy one? Thanks

[hi_bud_gl]

Touch up hone? Barber hone
final finishing hone Naniwa 12k.
i hope you know what is a differences between them.
gl

[Milkylee]

Yes I know the difference, I just saw someone on here was using a Naniwa 12k for touch ups. I have a three line Swaty and was just wondering which one would be better for touch-ups. Thanks

[loueedacat]

I'm curious myself. I understand a finishing hone is the hone you use at the end of your honing progression before you use the razor, whereas a touch up hone you'd use after you've been using the razor and it's starting to tug.

But why wouldn't your finishing hone be the perfect touch up? Ie isn't touching just "re-finishing" the edge?

[Milkylee]

Loueedacat,

I think you just bought that Shumate barber hone from me, am I correct in that assumption?

[Lynn]

I have given this matter considerable thought. In fact, I have spent hours pondering about it. I have decided unequivocally that the answer is YES......

Have fun,

Lynn

[Stubear]

I guess it really depends on what you want to do, as Sham says. If you're just after a touch up stone and will only ever want to touch a razor up then a barber hone should be fine.

If you just want to touch up now but think you're ever going to want to get into honing, then you might as well get the 12k and start building your hone collection now.

Either would work just fine for touch ups though.

[gary haywood]

I have both but never got round to trying my barber hone. they both will work but which one would give the smoothest edge? any one tryed both ? able to sat which one they preferd?

[ScottGoodman]

It is my understanding that most barber hones are around 12K+/-. Your Nani is 12K. Try each of them to see which one gives YOU the best results. Learn your stones, pay attention to the feedback and results they are giving you. This way, you can make decisions based on "what works for you".

[Joed]

Referring back to Hi_Bud_Gl's post, each hone was manufactured to have a specific function. I do not use barber's hones but I do have a bunch. A barber's hone is made to remove metal and provide a reasonable cutting edge. A Naniwa 12k is made to polish an edge to a smooth finish. Using a Naniwa 12k for touch ups will work but take more time than a barber's hone, depending on the wear on the edge when starting to refresh the edge. A barber's hone can and has been used to finish an edge as the one and only hone needed for touch ups before stropping and shaving. If it were able to produce as smooth a finish as the Naniwa 12k I would guess they would be extremely popular.

Coticules were also popular 'barber's hones' because with slurry they removed metal relatively quickly and w/ lather or water alone produced a smooth edge. The learning curve with coticules is much steeper than Naniwa 12k's and Swaty's.

As with everything in life, the devil is in the details.