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

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.