Thread: Hone Dilemma...Naniwa??Norton??

I realize this question has probably been asked in a similar fashion before, but I am going to ask it again because my situation might be different that the others, or maybe not.

I am new to this straight shaving thing, but I am not new to sharpening things. As a matter of fact I do a LOT of sharpening for both myself and others. The problem is that I specialize in putting convex edges on all kinds and sizes of knives using slack belts on a grinder, and that obviously will not work for straight razors. So, I need to order some hones.

My favorite razor (Stainless Duck) is with gssixgun to be honed and a few others are with him to be rescaled and or restored. I do have several other razors though that I have been picking up here and there and I would like to be able to hone them up so that I can start shaving with them while waiting on my others. Some of these razors will need the bevel reset and some will just need to be touched up. I will not be honing razors for other people, but I do want to start with quality stuff. Knowing myself I am sure I will wind up with several thousand dollars in hones within a year or so...lol!

I was thinking of starting with the Norton combo 220/1000, Norton 4000/8000, and Naniwa 12K, or just go Naniwa all the way and get a Naniwa 1K,3K,5K,8K,12K, or maybe add a 22o and drop the 3K. What say you guys?

I already have all kinds of strops, felts, pastes, and sprays, and so on.

I am not trying to stick to any particular budget or anything, just want to start with a decent foundation and would like y'alls opinion.

Thanks!

I actually have the progression you talked about...220/1000, 4/8k, and the nani 12k. I'm very happy with it. I wouldn't have done it any different. The nortons were great to learn on and it was an easy transition to the nani 12k. Honestly, I doubt you could go wrong either way.

You might just want to hold off, until you get the razors back as I can put a few different finishers on them, and that will at least give you an idea of what they feel like... Then go from there, the SS Dubl Duck is going on the Naniwa SS through the 12k for sure.. I can't remember the other razors here but I will try and go a few different directions for you...

I would follow Glens advice, I did so in the past too, and didn't regret it! I was in your shoes a time ago, and I got the Norton set, with the nani 12k. A very good set. Eventually I will get a naniwa 3k or 5k and 8k, I like the feel of the nani hones better. The 8k Norton feels great too, I wish the 4k would feel the same. Performance wise, for me, both sets are very good, the norton is a bit cheaper, and maybe a bit less maintenance hungry.

I was just debating this same question last week and i went with a Norton 4k/8k and the naniwa 12k. If i had to do it again i would probably get the 5k/8k/12k naniwa set from SRD. I enjoy the norton 8k but the 4k side of it isnt as nice as a naniwa or even the 8k side of the norton. and of course you can never go wrong with a 1k chosera.

Either set will work for you just fine. If a budget is not an issue, you could buy both, try them out for a while, and then sell whichever set you chose not to keep. These sets go very fast in the classifieds.

Originally Posted by larryforce

I was just debating this same question last week and i went with a Norton 4k/8k and the naniwa 12k. If i had to do it again i would probably get the 5k/8k/12k naniwa set from SRD. I enjoy the norton 8k but the 4k side of it isnt as nice as a naniwa or even the 8k side of the norton. and of course you can never go wrong with a 1k chosera.

The Norton 1k is another option. Have you ever used the 1k Chosera?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

You might just want to hold off, until you get the razors back as I can put a few different finishers on them, and that will at least give you an idea of what they feel like... Then go from there, the SS Dubl Duck is going on the Naniwa SS through the 12k for sure.. I can't remember the other razors here but I will try and go a few different directions for you...

Sounds like a plan Glen. By the way, I have picked up about a dozen or so more razors since I sent those to you, and a few of them need restores too. Maybe I can help you make a house payment or buy some new hones if I keep buying and sending them to ya for fixin' up....LOL!