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I want to ask those who have them, or have used them. Which one would you buy of the two? I know both are good, and have different disadvantages. I read a lot about both stones, but I am still struggling :D Are there any advantages to the Norton over the Naniwa?
I think it is largely personal preference. I like the Naniwas, but I prefer a 5k to the 3k.
You won't be unhappy with any of them. gl
I am curious about a few opinions, because I read only one comment who said that he likes his norton better, and a lot of comments about liking the naniwa better. The others did mostly try only one of them.
The Naniwa's are slow cutting but give a smooth edge and : the Nortons - and I'm only goin on other threads I've seen - are consistant, reliable workhorses, that cut relatively quick.
Others will chime in with more experience I'm sure.
Can't speak for the Nortons, but I have a Naniwa 3k/8k combo stone and it has been great. The 3-8 jump is a bit much, but it just means more laps at the 8k. My naniwa has treated me very well.
If you want to hear a positive response to Nortons here is one. I started on them with razors cause back then, the pros were saying that was a great choice and got some really great shaves for a beginer at that time.
Having said that, seems like lots of the pros are now using the Nanis, might be something to that..
The help you gave me in the first sentence, was destroyed in the second :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingfish
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....
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...
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by Slartibartfast
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingfish
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Glenn,
I would never take your other stones away from you.:angel:
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 :D
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by jeness
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.
After all I bought this set: DMT 325 for lapping, DMT 1200 for bevels, Norton 4k/8k, Naniwa 12k. After reading a lot on the forum, I think I won't be disappointed :)
Good, proven setup! Make sure you break in both DMTs--especially the 1200. When you come off of it, try this trick to reduce the scratch pattern that your 4K has to deal with: do about 5 figure-8s (w/ your 325) on the 8k side, leave the slurry on the stone & do 10 light x-strokes. Then rinse your Norton & razor & proceed to the 4k as usual.
Would love to try some of the different stones out there, but all I've ever used is Norton 220/1000 & 4000/8000. It has kept all my razors extremely sharp with very smooth edges. I'm a Norton fan all the way, but like I said, they are all I've ever used/owned. And like some of the other guys said, master what you've got before buying something else. Everyone has their preferences. I will try different stones in the future, but for now my Norton's are just fine. Good Luck on your decision what ever it may be, and stick with it till you get it down. JMHO
Oh and a Norton lapping stone also came with this set, It was lapped with a DMT 325 by a friend
here is where I got mine, and MODS if this link is out of place, please take it off.
Norton Waterstones - Peachtree Woodworking Supply