Thread: Norton 4k/8k or Naniwa 3k/8k to buy?

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I think a lot of the pros still use their nortons. They just so happen to also use their naniwas, shaptons, coticules, nakayamas, eschers,etc....

Of many choices and stones that I have purchased over years of sharpening, they all get used for something. Naniwas are one of the few stones that I don't have and would not want to predjudice the OP with how I started. Of coarse the Norton is a great choice and the fact that it can handle just about any kind of steel along with it's generous size is without question....but knowing the new Naniwas and their surge in popularity with the pros, if you were going to make your first investment, what would you do now?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Didn't I just answer this question in another thread ????

It doesn't matter between them,,,

If I owned mostly Sheffield razors I would lean very very slightly toward the Nortons...
Otherwise I like the feel of honing on the Naniwas..

The are so close on performance I see no difference...and yes I own and use both sets...

Sorry Glenn, did not see your reply. If you had to pick one what would it be? Feel is actually quite important to me personally and it does translate into more enjoyment in the actual honing experience IME.

Originally Posted by Kingfish

Sorry Glenn, did not see your reply. If you had to pick one what would it be? Feel is actually quite important to me personally and it does translate into more enjoyment in the actual honing experience IME.

Hmmmm tuff one

But honestly I have answered this in other threads to, If I had to pick one set of hones and only one set of hones for only my razors...I would choose the full set of Naniwa SS... There are NO razors they can't handle, they handle those hard as all get out TI, Wackers, Revisors, Friodurs, Damascus, Takeda, and they turn around and handle the SS razors like a dream too...
They also do a respectable job on the older Sheffields...
I have even done a few Kamisori on the 8k and the 12k and they will do well there too...

Yep that would be my one set, IF I HAD TO but don't take my other stones away ok??? I like them to much

The difference is mostly in feedback and price not very much in the end result, so I don't know what a poll gives you.
Prioritize what's important to you specifically and pick the one that fits better.

I own a set of naniwa superstones which replaced my nortons, but that doesn't mean you'd like them better the way I do and you'll probably pay more, although since you're in europe that may be different too.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hmmmm tuff one

Yep that would be my one set, IF I HAD TO but don't take my other stones away ok??? I like them to much

Glenn,

I would never take your other stones away from you.

My Mama and Papa raised me the right way. "Thou shalt not covet" but we can admire....I hope.

After reading all these comments, I think after about a year of Norton mastering, I will have to buy the Naniwa too

On a daily basis, I use a Naniwa 1K and 12K along with a Norton 4k/8K. When I don't use this set up, it's usually all Naniwa and I will alternate some different finishing stones. You really can't go wrong with either of these sets and they remain extremely reliable and consistent in producing great results.

Have fun,

Lynn

I'm with the others. I have both, but I mostly use and prefer my Naniwa's. I like the feel or Feedback I get from them. (I wouldn't give up my other rocks either) but the Naniwa's are my workhorses.

Originally Posted by jeness

After reading all these comments, I think after about a year of Norton mastering, I will have to buy the Naniwa too

Or you may find out you don't really want to. You may find an opportunity to try these hones without buying them. I know of at least a couple of well experienced people who replaced their nortons with shaptons and in several months bought nortons again because they liked them better.

As you figured it out once you have a good reliable honing system the most important is spending the time to master it.

Have fun with your new hones

I started with Norton, tried Shapton pro and Naniwa superstones, and went back to the norton 4/8 as my daily driver. They are all good though once you get the hang of them. Just IMHO.