Thread: What hone should I get next?

Coticules are alot easier to use than what everyone says.

I don't know what you mean by coarser or better bang for your buck can you explain?

The OP said he already has a 3k/8k naniwa, so he needs only a finisher to complete the set. The naniwa 12k is fast, big, and all the naniwas are all the same speed and grit, so he can get a lot of help easily. Cotis are much more expensive in bigger sizes, vary a lot, and are generally slower than the nani 12k. The coti is very versatile, but because the OP only needs a finsiher, I would go with the nani 12k, because it will be much faster to learn to use.

Originally Posted by jeness

The OP said he already has a 3k/8k naniwa, so he needs only a finisher to complete the set. The naniwa 12k is fast, big, and all the naniwas are all the same speed and grit, so he can get a lot of help easily. Cotis are much more expensive in bigger sizes, vary a lot, and are generally slower than the nani 12k. The coti is very versatile, but because the OP only needs a finsiher, I would go with the nani 12k, because it will be much faster to learn to use.

I agree with this. There's also the benefit that the Naniwas work well as a set, and you can raise a light slurry on the 12k as well. That works really well IMO.

Just thought I'd throw out my two cents.

I prefer the natural stones so just gave the o/p a option to consider.

Originally Posted by basil

Just thought I'd throw out my two cents.

I prefer the natural stones so just gave the o/p a option to consider.

May be if you'd argumented your opinion with something more than 'I just prefer natural stones' you could get some extra mileage out of those 2 cents. Otherwise your particular two cents are just as common and as stinky as the ones from the bum on the street corner...

I happen to have very specific preferences, but when I'm helping somebody I try to give the best advise for their specific situation.

Well they asked what stone to get next, so I said why not try a coticule.

If they then asked me why I would have given them reasons why.


But if you want to know why I said use a coticule then here's why I like them.

For me they are a do everything stone. I can set a bevel and sharpen a dull razor all on one stone which I find easier.

The edge they leave is smooth and forgiving and you don't feel a harsh edge which is what I've experience with synthetics.


Now that all being said some naturals like j-nats can be used from start to finish or others like the Escher are mostly just finishers.

In the end it's preference and for me it's natural over synthetics. And while I'd love a nice j-Nat or Escher they are out of my price range and so it's the coticule for me.

Originally Posted by basil

Well they asked what stone to get next, so I said why not try a coticule.

See, it's not about you, it should be about what's helpful to the other person. Your proposition is that he gets a three times more expensive stone just because it's just another option? Why stop there? Why not propose the six, or ten, or the twenty times more expensive options just because they are another option after all.

Originally Posted by basil

The edge they leave is smooth and forgiving and you don't feel a harsh edge which is what I've experience with synthetics.

So, you really don't know what you're talking about.

Originally Posted by basil

Now that all being said some naturals like j-nats can be used from start to finish or others like the Escher are mostly just finishers.

In the end it's preference and for me it's natural over synthetics. And while I'd love a nice j-Nat or Escher they are out of my price range and so it's the coticule for me.

Yes, indeed, you really don't know what you're talking about. If I were you I wouldn't make a religion out of what you've read on the internet. Get some more learning on both shaving and honing and hopefully you'll discover that there's more to all this than a couple of razors and a couple of hones.

Here's some food for thought - I've had one person think a razor I honed for him was really really harsh. Except that in my opinion (which counts far more than his because I have far more experience and statistically significant feedback on my valuations) it was really really smooth. I had honed it with an Escher. But it wouldn't have mattered if I had honed it with a coticule, or naniwa, or nakayama, or chromium oxide.

Just echoing what others have said. If there isn't a huge price difference between the 10K and 12K, I would go for the 12K. If there is a big difference, the 10K will be just fine and I know Martin at rasurpur finishes on that and I haven't seen anyone complain about those edges.