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