Thread: Naniwa 3000/10000 or Thuringian + Arkansas?

Greetings shavers,

I'm currently looking to buy my first set of hones, not for restauration purposes but just maintaining my own herd.

The vintage barbershop I also bought my first few razors and supplies from has recommended me a Thuringian of approximately 8k in combination with an Arkansas oilstone of also approximately 8k. Now my first question is, what is the main difference between the two? They are both 8k, but I suppose the difference comes from the oil use?

Now today I stumbled over a local webshop that offers a Naniwa superstone combination of 3000/10000. Both the above mentioned setup and the Naniwa stone are approximately 85 euro, so for the price it doesn't matter to me. What would you guys recommend me to do? My budget is very tight, so I cannot afford to buy an entire set of stones right now.

Thanks in advance

Barbershop Classics The Shaving Shop Thuringian stone
Barbershop Classics The Shaving Shop Arkansas Stone

These are the links to the specific stones if interested..

if it is for maintaining , i would go with a naniwa 12k .

Also the question came to mind, what would be the difference using either a Naniwa SS 8k, a Thuringian 8k or a Coti 8k? Considering they vary heavily in price, I would figure they do not make substitutes for each other?

consistency, synthetic stone's are more consistent imo.

But would you also consider the price difference, in this case being €33 euro for the Thuringian vs for €65 for a Naniwa 8K worth it?

You are bouncing all over



For maintenance only

Any of the stones/hones will work but you only need one, heck just buy a Barber's hone and be done


For a bit more than maintenance but not restoration

Then the 3k 8k 12k setup is the way to go

A very good Coticule could also do this, but not as easily


Anything else is in the Possible but PITA category... that is American for it ain't worth the time

Hey guys,

So I'm pretty much in the same situation as the OP. I've bought a razor off of theinvisibleedge.co.uk which comes pre-sharpened. I've asked what I'd need to keep it properly honed and I was told a Naniwa 10k would be enough. It seems though that most folks around here are quite adamant about going through a progression even on non-restoration work. So in that case would a 3k/10k combo actually work, or is the spread just too large.

Or conversely am I just worrying too much and the 10k can actually do a perfect job.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

The basic honing arsenal consists of 3-4 stones. One for bevel setting-refreshing usually 1k, something intermediate between 3-6k and a finisher or two, 8k or higher.
Bevel setters are used less than the other two categories, so if you intend to buy one stone, buy something that belongs in those categories before you buy a bevel setter, especially if the razor is prehoned with a correctly set bevel. Any combination of a finisher with an intermediate grit stone will work.
Man made stones are friendlier, faster and all stones are guaranteed to be what you bought. With naturals you don't know what you are buying, so, without experience it is not a good idea.

These guys have you covered & here's my $.02 (two-cents).

I didn't know Naniwa made a 3/10k stone, I thought it was 3/8K. Either way, this stone would serve you well for touch-ups & regular maintenance...so would a barber stone. I personally don't recommend natural stones for beginners.