Yet another newbie seeking opinion: Norton / Naniwa

[finrazer]

Hi.
Just got a razor during X-Mas, Edwin Jagger (branded Dovo Sohlingen). It's in factory blade, meaning sharp but just not sharp enough for me.
Thus, I need to hone it. I have King 1000/3000 grit whetstone, but that might be suitable for bevel setting and/or knives, but not for finishing my razor.
I've looked for Norton 4000/8000, but those are only available from USA and I'm living in Europe.
Buying from USA means that there are hefty postages and then some taxes added on top. That results to prices I see in dollars are prices I pay in Euros once I get the stuff.

Ok, so here is the dilemma:
Norton 4000/8000 to my understanding is the starter set. That I can get from the perfect edge, just add $35 for postage or $55 if I want it insured postage. Total approx 120-130$ shipped.

The other option is to get Naniwas from Europe. 11€ postage, shorter delivery time etc.
Is Naniwa combination stone 3000/8000 be just as good as norton 4000/8000 combo?
The Naniwa combo would be the cheapest option of all, some 85€ including shipment.

Or would I be happier with 2 naniwas: 5000 + 10000?

Do I need to lap the Naniwas before the first use?

[Lesslemming]

Hello my european fellow. I live in Germany thus understand the dilemma you are in. But rest assured there is a perfect solution for us.
The Norton water stones are highly common and recommended in the USA where these are widely available. Here in europe these are hard to come by.
You can safely forget them! There are other options that will work just as fine. The variety of stones available in europe is not nearly slim.
Did you take a look at this site for example? Dictum
Try "tools -> sharpening"

I buy there a lot and they deliver throughout europe. Just contact them for details.
There you will find all the other recommended manufacturers like Shapton and Naniwa.
Another recommendes site is this one Homepage of Dieter Schmid's Fine Tools
They carry the naniwas and the shapton pros.

Now you have three options, all of which are recommended by honers and honemeisters.
Naniwa Superstone, Shapton Professional and Shapton Glassstone.

First of all: All stones regardless the manufacturer need to be lapped before the first use.
Check the lapping 101 in the wiki-section for cheap and bulletproof options.

All of the three mentioned systems will work charmingly. Lately the Naniwa Superstones tend to be the most recommmended stones.
I have a full set of all three options and think the Naniwas are the easiest to use.
I would recommend a 3k/8k combination stone as well as the 800/5k from Naniwa.
This will cover anything you will encounter in your sharpening career and adds a valuable stone between the 3k and the 8k to make the transition smooth.
But if you´re on a tight budget grad the 3k/8k now and the 800/5k later.

The 3k works pretty fast and will let you keep your razors sharp. The Naniwa 8k gives a very keen edge that you can shave off.
I would recommend a fine paste/spray on felt/balsa/leather afterwards, for the perfect shaving experience.
Dictum carries only the DMT diamond pastes wich are heavily pricey. Check Ebay for a vendor for diamond sprays.
I used to buy from a guy from poland (open_razor) and was very satisfied

[eleblu05]

i would go with the Naniwa they work great

[finrazer]

Hello my european fellow. I live in Germany thus understand the dilemma you are in.
....(cut)...
Another recommendes site is this one Homepage of Dieter Schmid's Fine Tools
They carry the naniwas and the shapton pros.

Actually, the above mentioned site, Homepage of Dieter Schmid's Fine Tools is the source for which I quote my Naniwa purchase prices . I think I'll go as you instructed, the naniwa 3/8k combo. Then later experiment with the strops with pastes.
(I do have a leather strop, but that's not to be used with paste)

[Lesslemming]

Making a pasted strop is simple as pie. You don´t nead expensive leather. You can use felt that you can buy at your local hardware store
and glue it to a wooden flat surface. Spray on some diamond spray and there you have your pasted strop for a little more than the cost of the diamond spray itself

[finrazer]

Thank you for all the help, I ended up getting myself 3000/8000 stone and 5000 stone (non-combo). I already have king 1000/3000 which I figure I can use when I need coarser grit.
In addition I bought the artificial nagura stone. Not sure if I need one, but as it was only 6 euros, it didn't add much to the purchase.

[Lesslemming]

You´ll be very happy with the Naniwas. Remember to flatten them bevore first use.
The Nagura won´t do you any good other than a cleaning stone after a long honing session, when the Naniwas become dirty and clogged.
Rub the nagura against the stones under running water and rinse well