Thread: Which 1K should I get along with a Naniwa 5K/8K/12K set?

I have a question, thought I'd spare the space and not start another thread. Would I actually benefit from pasting a strop with CroX and finishing on it after using the Naniwa 12k? I know technically the .5 micron is smoother than 12k, but would I notice a difference?

I ask because as I said in the OP I was planning on pasting the webbing side of my would be first strop(3" latigo from SRD) with .5 CroX and use that to touch up the razor, or do it on a second strop. But seeing as I plan on getting the Naniwa 5k/8k/12k set eventually, I'm wondering if it's worth the money/time to use the CroX or if I can just finish up and touch up on the 12k and then go straight to the strop?

Finishing with a paste after the 12k will definitely give you a different feel. As to whether you like it more or less, that is largely personal preference. But I do think you'll like it at the very least as something new to try and play with. I'd say go for it.

Remember, it's not the grit size, it's how the edge is effected by the full package (the hone or the paste and what the paste is on). A great example is that the same paste on different surfaces will act differently.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Finishing with a paste after the 12k will definitely give you a different feel. As to whether you like it more or less, that is largely personal preference. But I do think you'll like it at the very least as something new to try and play with. I'd say go for it.

Remember, it's not the grit size, it's how the edge is effected by the full package (the hone or the paste and what the paste is on). A great example is that the same paste on different surfaces will act differently.

Hmm, I see. *sigh* Why is it that when I try to save money you guys say stuff like that and make me want to get more stuff

I'm thinking of simply getting the Naniwa set(or maybe the 12k alone to begin with $80 would sound better to my gf than $180...) and learn to set the best edge possible with that before considering a pasted strop. I figure if I can use the 12k properly it'll be easier for me to not screw up on the paste, especially after having the added practice with the normal strop. I imagine this would be wiser than using the pasted strop before getting the hone/s?

Definitely nothing wrong with maintaining your razor with a pasted strop. You could even start with the 1, 5, and 8k hones (with or without the pasted strop), as adding a 12k without getting great results off the 8k won't help you anyway. But that only works if you are going to learn to hone from the ground up.

I personally think it's easier to learn from the top down, in which case you would start with the 12k, then the 8, then 5, then 1. Add in the paste if/when you feel like trying it out.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I personally think it's easier to learn from the top down, in which case you would start with the 12k, then the 8, then 5, then 1. Add in the paste if/when you feel like trying it out.

This has been my thinking as well. I figure the hardest part to learn would be how to set the bevel properly and knowing when it is actually set. Thus why I don't plan on getting the 1k until I actually need it. I was thinking of getting the 5/8/12k set because it came out cheaper. But I only save like $6(at least on SRD) by getting the set instead of each stone individually. So I'll probably get 12k first. It is almost $80 by itself after all, but I figure that should let me maintain my first razor for a few months right? Hopefully enough time to let me get a second professionally honed razor, which I can then use to compare the other one with

I'm probably over thinking this, but it's my nature with everything I do, and spend money on.

Originally Posted by HColl

So I'll probably get 12k first. It is almost $80 by itself after all, but I figure that should let me maintain my first razor for a few months right?

And then some

Originally Posted by onimaru55

And then some

Awesome. Glad to hear.

Originally Posted by HColl

Hmm, I see. *sigh* Why is it that when I try to save money you guys say stuff like that and make me want to get more stuff

I'm thinking of simply getting the Naniwa set(or maybe the 12k alone to begin with $80 would sound better to my gf than $180...) and learn to set the best edge possible with that before considering a pasted strop. I figure if I can use the 12k properly it'll be easier for me to not screw up on the paste, especially after having the added practice with the normal strop. I imagine this would be wiser than using the pasted strop before getting the hone/s?

The 12Ksuperstone is super, you may not need any more.

In my personal opinion a lightly pasted strop takes the harshness
from some edges that is common after honing but so does a couple
shaves.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

The 12Ksuperstone is super, you may not need any more.

In my personal opinion a lightly pasted strop takes the harshness
from some edges that is common after honing but so does a couple
shaves.

Yeah, I'm gonna be getting the 12k by itself. For now I'm not planning on getting a pasted strop(or making one rather). If I find I can't get a smooth anough edge on the 12k and stropping...I'll go back and practice some more on the 12k until I get it. From what I've read(and as you just wrote) a pasted strop does smooth it out a little more, but one can get a very good edge off of the 12k, so that's what I'm aiming for. I'm basically looking for as basic yet effective setup I can get to simply maintain an edge for a long time. I'm really enjoying the lathering and shaving process as a whole, but I doubt I'd have the patience and skill to get into full on razor restoration, i.e. going from reseting a bevel to finishing. Plus I'm not really very interested in honing other than doing it to maintain my razor so I can keep getting a nice shave

That may change of course, but for now this is the plan. I really appreciate everyone's help, this honestly is the forum with the most helpful, kindest members I have seen, and I've been from the lowest rung of the internet ladder(*cough*4chan*cough*) to some of the biggest sites with some form of a community(read:forums/blogs/etc.) out there. But I guess it takes a certain type of person to get into such a lost art as traditional Straght Razor shaving and men's grooming; proper men's grooming, like all gentlemen used to do.

Anyway, just thought I'd say thank you.