Thread: What hone should I get next?

Gentlemen,

I currently have the Naniwa 3000 and 8000 grit hones. I am a real novice at honing, but managed to do a decent job after a few attempts. My question is what is the better choice after the 8000 hone? Should I get the 10000 or 12000 hone next? I also made a balsa hone for the chromium oxide. I would appreciate any advise before I make a purchase. Thank you.

If you like the shaves, I don't think you need more. Try to master the 3k/8k and your shaves will improve a fair bit. If you want to go further, the 12k and the 10k are both very nice stones. I have the 12k, and I like it a lot, never regretted buying it.

Definitely the 12k, that's what I'd do.. FWIW, I think the crox would fair better on some leather or material. You can cheap pieces of leather at Tandy. They have stores everywhere, and they are online. I got a piece 3" w x 50" l. Cut it, glue it, and your good to go....

My advice is 12K. Plus you have a gap between 3K and 8K, add 5K or probably 6k. Honing will be more smooth.

Another vote for the Naniwa 12K.
Jeness gives good advice though, focusing on getting the most out of the 3K and the 8K is important.
You will get good shaves off of the 8K when done properly.

VikingFan,

I have the 10 & 12 k Naniwas, and they both have given excellents results for me.

I tend to use the 12 k the most (in a 3-8-12 sequence, or alone for touch-ups)

THese days I use the 10 k for touch ups if a little more 'oomph' is needed.

Either of the stones will give you excellent results

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

12K without a question...

Thanks to all. I will definately try to improve my honomg on the 8K before I venture to the 12K. Also, I will try some chromium oxide on leather as opposed to balsa. I will experiment with both.

Just to throw this out there but why not try a natural stone.

Obviously it's not the stone it's how well you know your stone which can either make it or break it during a honing session.

That being said a coticule at the end of the progression can work well. Eventually if you learn that stone well enough it could be the only one you need.

I wouldn't advise a newbie to use a coti when he already knows how to use synthetics. A naniwa 12k compared to a coti is much bigger, faster, more predictable, and he can get much more help easily. That said I like my coti, but the naniwa is so much better bang for the buck if you have already coarser stones.