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

Ok, so I've been reading up and watching all the videos on honing and hones, and lapping, etc. I don't plan on getting any hones for a while after getting my first razor(which I haven't gotten yet, soon). Basically I plan to get an SRD 3" Latigo and either paste the webbing side with .5 Cromium Oxide, or get another strop/paddle strop to paste, still unsure which option. Either way I plan to use that to refresh the edge while I develop my stropping technique for a while before I get into honing, at which point I'll probably get a second razor so I have a fallback when beginning to practice honing; maybe even get a third, cheapo razor to practice on instead.

Anyway, after weighing my options and looking at the many hones available, I'm pretty set on a Naniwa 5K/8K/12K/ set from SRD along with a DMT 325 for lapping said stones. And use the pasted strop as a finisher. What I am unsure of is what hone to get in the 1K range, and if a jump from 1K to 5K Naniwa would be too much or just fine.?

As I understand it the Naniwa 1K is not the same grit as for example the Norton 1K, yet it is a fast cutter regardless. My doubt here is whether the Naniwa 1K is enough for the initial bevel setting of a dull blade requiring a new bevel(pardon the redundancy). Btw, I don't plan on restoring razors; but I'd still get a 1K for say if I ruined a razor for any reason and needed to reset the bevel, and also possibly to use it fro sharpening other knives at home(read:kitchen knives).

Would a Naniwa 1K do said job? Or would different 1K stone be better? I searched for an answer on the forums and wiki but got mixed results. Some have said the Naniwa 1K is great at setting bevels(I think Lynn uses one for that purpose?) while I also read others saying they found it too soft bevel setting and need to use a Norton 1K or other stone.

Sorry for clogging the place up with yet another noob question >_>

I personally like the 1k Chosera, out of the 3-4 1k stones I have tried this is so far the best feeling and fastest stone.

Thanks for the opinion! I hadn't looked at the Chosera, will now.

Anyone else?

I reccomend keeping with what you have, if you end up getting the naniwa set then get a naniwa 1K, like wise for shapton, norton etc. some synthetics work well as a system weather progressive honing or finishing with a pyramid.
having said that I personally go from norton 8K to shapton 16K ergo side stepping my own advise.
Also most 1K's are pretty cheap (not that you or I'd actually use a whole one in our lifetime) so if whatever you get wears out quickly or you simply don't like it, just get another IMO ^_^

I didn't like how soft the Naniwa SS 1k felt. I like the feel of my Shapton 1k and my King 1k. I've heard the King is slow, but it's worked really well for me. The nicest I've used (only a few times) was the Naniwa Chosera 1k as Stefan recommended.

The 1k to 5k jump is totally doable. I do it regularly.

I also think the SS 1k feels softer than I'd like, but it's still a great hone. Especially if you don't hone a ton of razors. It is definitely a very capable bevel setter. I would be afraid to do a knife on it, though, for fear of gouging and/or dishing the hone. But I know next to nothing about sharpening knives, so you could probably ignore that part.

The Chosera is my ideal recommendation, but it's expensive. I wouldn't recommend it to a new guy, and not to someone who doesn't set a lot of bevels either.

Originally Posted by KalgoorlieBoi

I reccomend keeping with what you have, if you end up getting the naniwa set then get a naniwa 1K, like wise for shapton, norton etc. some synthetics work well as a system weather progressive honing or finishing with a pyramid.

Thanks. That's the logic in my mind, but I didn't/don't know how much of it is based in actual fact. As to what I have, that's why I'm askinbg this here now, I don't have anything yet and won't for a while. I want to get it right the first time so I don't end up paying more than I need/want to

Originally Posted by heirkb

I didn't like how soft the Naniwa SS 1k felt. I like the feel of my Shapton 1k and my King 1k. I've heard the King is slow, but it's worked really well for me. The nicest I've used (only a few times) was the Naniwa Chosera 1k as Stefan recommended.

Another vote for the Chosera eh? Duly noted.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

The 1k to 5k jump is totally doable. I do it regularly.

I also think the SS 1k feels softer than I'd like, but it's still a great hone. Especially if you don't hone a ton of razors. It is definitely a very capable bevel setter. I would be afraid to do a knife on it, though, for fear of gouging and/or dishing the hone. But I know next to nothing about sharpening knives, so you could probably ignore that part.

The Chosera is my ideal recommendation, but it's expensive. I wouldn't recommend it to a new guy, and not to someone who doesn't set a lot of bevels either.

Thanks, nice to hear the 1K to 5K is doable and that it comes from personal experience. As to the knife sharpening, it is very similar to straights form what I've seen; the main difference is that you usually start with a stronger grit(say a 200 or 300ish) and can finish on something like a 1K or 2K depending on the task of the knife. And of course you need to hold the blade at a consistent angle. Not sure about the gouging/dishing concerns though, will have to research that as well.

I assume you do not recommend the Chosera for me(I wouldn't be setting many bevels, if any for a long while, and I'm a new guy) because it is a fast cutter and it expensive no? I'm assuming the 1k is softer so it takes more strokes to set the bevel on it than a faster cutting 1k no? And I guess the feedback you get is different than harder hone?

Hmm, many variables to consider. I guess I could get the Naniwa and then if I find I need/want the Chosera I could just get it anyway. It does make sense to get the cheaper(the SS) one first as well.

Originally Posted by HColl

Ok, so I've been reading up and watching all the videos on honing and hones, and lapping, etc.
....snip...
Anyway, after weighing my options and looking at the many hones available, I'm pretty set on a Naniwa 5K/8K/12K/ set from SRD along with a DMT 325 for lapping said stones.
...snip...
What I am unsure of is what hone to get in the 1K range, and if a jump from 1K to 5K Naniwa would be too much or just fine.?

Since you are asking the school solution is
to stick with a single maker. Their progression
"progresses" systematically....

So if you have a set of Naniwa hones it is better but
not required to stick with Naniwa. And yes if you
buy a Chosera you will be happy with it to the point
that you will want more of them many more.

The jump from a 1K to a 5K (one maker) should be just fine.
If you are honing dozens of razors a day you will
want shorter jumps to speed things up. Modern
water hones like Naniwa, Norton and Chosera cut
gosh durn fast.

I love to watch the swarf pattern
when honing one of my magnetic razors.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Since you are asking the school solution is
to stick with a single maker. Their progression
"progresses" systematically....

So if you have a set of Naniwa hones it is better but
not required to stick with Naniwa. And yes if you
buy a Chosera you will be happy with it to the point
that you will want more of them many more.

The jump from a 1K to a 5K (one maker) should be just fine.
If you are honing dozens of razors a day you will
want shorter jumps to speed things up. Modern
water hones like Naniwa, Norton and Chosera cut
gosh durn fast.

I love to watch the swarf pattern
when honing one of my magnetic razors.

Thank you very much for your reply. I've been reading on the Choseras and yes they seem to be of very high quality, so your comment " if you
buy a Chosera you will be happy with it to the point
that you will want more of them many more" definitely hits home, as I wouldn't want to buy the one and end up wanting to buy the whole set along with the SS Naniwas, or replacing the SS all together; and I know I am perfectly capable of being seduced by the Choseras, as I am with any high quality item, that's why I ended up here after all

I have used Norton 1k and shapton 1k. some Japanese 1kish stone.
i can say norton is a lot aggressive then shapton if we compare two.
i have used recently mostly shapton and now it is life going to end.
I am looking 1k aggressive stone which will not put deep scratches same as dmt1200?"
if anyone knows link and name please let me know.
thank you