Thread: Honing feel: Norton vs Naniwa

I am about to buy a combination hone, but I don't know which one. I have a DMT 8k, but I want to add a good waterstone to compliment my other stones. I have been using a Naniwa 3k/8k lately that I got for trying, and I like the feel of it very much. I tried a Norton a year ago, but I don't remember very good if I liked it or not, and the stone wasn't lapped properly. I would go with the Norton in the first place because it is cheaper, a lot of people are using it, comes with a box, and it is well documented. But I would like to know that how much different is the feel of the Norton 4k/8k then the naniwas? All your opinions are appreciated

Naniwas, which line? Looking for the economical superstones? That's what I'm thinking, given your interest in Nortons. Naniwa SSs are softer feeling and have "give". They are more complicated in the soaking/hydration department. Do they swell too much when soaked for too long? Is it best to just spray them lightly a few minutes before lapping/sharpening? Is it best to soak very briefly? I re-flattened my Naniwa 3k after a spraying, now I have to soak it "right" for just a few minutes after reading a post, I believe it was Utopian, about that. Good luck.

Yes, the superstones. The chosera line is way out of my sight

My favorite hone in the planet is my Norton 4/8K, I have used it for almost three years now and it never fails to make me happy. All you need to do is lap it a few times to make it smooth and it'll work nicely for you. The super Stones are great but I've heard they're best when you use the whole set and finish on their 12K. I own the Naniwa SS 12K and it's also a great stone, as far as the others, I haven't purchased them....


....yet?

Originally Posted by Disburden

I own the Naniwa SS 12K and it's also a great stone, as far as the others, I haven't purchased them....


....yet?

the Naniwa 1k is very nice, feels like they give a very smooth edge, actually shaved off the 1k, little rough but I've had worse, I desparately want the others as well...

its a little slow to cut but I think its quite good for beginners like myself

Originally Posted by gimpyalex

the Naniwa 1k is very nice, feels like they give a very smooth edge, actually shaved off the 1k, little rough but I've had worse, I desparately want the others as well...

its a little slow to cut but I think its quite good for beginners like myself

I also like the 1K, I have that too, I forgot to mention it.

Originally Posted by jeness

I am about to buy a combination hone, but I don't know which one. I have a DMT 8k, but I want to add a good waterstone to compliment my other stones. I have been using a Naniwa 3k/8k lately that I got for trying, and I like the feel of it very much.

Ugh. I forgot to mention that I am displeased with my naniwa 3k as an attempted replacement for my norton 4k (it's in a combo stone with 8k) which is very bad. (trust me I can't remove the bad and reveal the good, it's a true Sith's stone) I think the naniwa 3k is more like a norton 6k, from what it's scratch pattern looks like under a microscope. And I have no idea what a Naniwa 5k would be. It wouldn't surprise me that someone can pull off an XTG shave finished on the Naniwa "3,000."

Originally Posted by AxelH

Ugh. I forgot to mention that I am displeased with my naniwa 3k as an attempted replacement for my norton 4k (it's in a combo stone with 8k) which is very bad. (trust me I can't remove the bad and reveal the good, it's a true Sith's stone) I think the naniwa 3k is more like a norton 6k, from what it's scratch pattern looks like under a microscope. And I have no idea what a Naniwa 5k would be. It wouldn't surprise me that someone can pull off an XTG shave finished on the Naniwa "3,000."

I'm confused, what don't you like about the naniwa ss 3k? The chocera 3k is what god would use if he wanted to remove 1k scratches btw.

Originally Posted by jeness

I am about to buy a combination hone, but I don't know which one. I have a DMT 8k, but I want to add a good waterstone to compliment my other stones. I have been using a Naniwa 3k/8k lately that I got for trying, and I like the feel of it very much. I tried a Norton a year ago, but I don't remember very good if I liked it or not, and the stone wasn't lapped properly. I would go with the Norton in the first place because it is cheaper, a lot of people are using it, comes with a box, and it is well documented. But I would like to know that how much different is the feel of the Norton 4k/8k then the naniwas? All your opinions are appreciated

I use either or, I find no discernible difference in the outcome of the razor...
There is some difference in the feel / action of the hone...

Disclosure: I use both as a lead in to natural finishers
If I owned more heavy Sheffielders I would lean more toward the Norton but it would not be a hard lean...

Thank you very much, I was waiting for a post like this. That means I can buy the norton without hesitation. I will use it before a vintage very hard coti, after reaching a positive shave test off the 8k.