Thread: Me first stone! Naniwa, Coti?

Originally Posted by Speedster

Yes, except get the 10k vs. the 2.

Yeah? That. Sounds good too, but i Thought I read somewhere that the 8k to the 12k doesn't make any difference but I may be wrong.

I use the 1-3-5-8-10-12 and the DMT 325 to lap them all,,, I own the 250 and the 400 but they are knife stones only

The DMT 325 is by far the most important hone in my collection I use it for many things on the restore side, however actually honing an edge just doesn't happen on it

I most often use the 3 and the 8 regardless of what direction I might be going after that, I do suggest for starting out you limit yourself to the 1-3-8 until you can get a comfortable shave consistantly from just that then like shaving, expand from there as you feel more comfortable

Okay sounds like 1,3,5,8,10, and 12 along with dmt 325 is my order.

Gssix should I use the 1k even when im refreshing a blade? Or only after a few blade refreshes as the bevel rounds out?/?

Yippeee!

The 1k is for re-setting bevels, if you are honing only your own razors you most likey will only have to use it once per razor,, I have never re-set a bevel after the initial honing on any of mine,, except my test razors

You will however find that after you learn you will want to make all your razor have "Your Edges" an excuse to hone more hehehe

Looks like you are already set on buying a progression of stones. I like it.
I agree with gssixgun in that 1-3-8 is probably all you will need. I would even go further and say, even if you have the fund, buy only 8k if your razors are already somewhat shave-ready. Then when you feel like you need another stone, buy the one you need. As you try to master one stone, then run into limitations that you can't overcome, I think you will gain much deeper appreciation for having multiple stones.

There is no reason to buy 2 DMT's just for lapping, I use 2 only because I have two. In fact, I have long used XC for lapping all my stones. As long as the blade is drawn in cross motion, the inconsistencies should not matter. All the razors can get scary sharp. Qualitatively, however, there is something addictive about running your fingers across that super stone and feeling the chill of the cool spring morning and the buttery smoothness to go with it.

I started with a king 1k($25), a 175x40 vintage coticule($150) and a DMT8c$(45). I really just like the appeal of natural stones. I have since replaced the king1k with a Cretan hone. So I am all natural now.

Honing with a coticule is not rocket science it just takes some time to learn your stone and how it behaves. I love the mellow edge I get off of a coticule.

Wow you guys have been such a huge help! Thank you all very much. For now ill. 1,3,8.

One more thing i dont quite fully understand (sorry) are the in between stones like 2,5, and 10 very crucial? Or does it speed up the process? Lower chances of messing up resulting in a need for jumping way back to bevel reset?

I wouldn't think you would need every grit. But I did read somewhere on here that someone said that it reduces strokes, thus leaving less room for error. You are going to have a learning curve whether you have all the grits or not. Just learn from your mistakes, move on and practice more. I would get you a few practice razors so you can hone them without wearing your good razors out.

Need and Want are two different things,

The only time I use the entire set is if I am doing problem razors, hard chippy steel ie: Revisors, newer TI's, those big Henckels Friodurs, Wackers, many Customs, any razor that has a tendency to be chippy, I have found that by using a full set and using light slurry on them gives me a 100% hit ratio on them.. The small steps up that ladder seems to really work well... Naniwa SS are probably one of the best "Polishing" hones you can use they are just so easy to bring a near perfect polish to the bevels and edges.. If you take the time to learn to actually use them they are very hard to beat ....

Many times if I am running Naturals I will hone

1-3-8 then Coticule or Thurigen or Escher or J-nat or whatever direction I decide the steel wants to take me,, This is the true versitility of the Synthetics you can get to shave ready, then use a finisher as a finisher...

You might want to read this thread

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...iwa-users.html

Also this system from the thread is on Youtube if you search "gssixgun, Naniwa"

There is a ton of info just on these hones

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Need and Want are two different things,

The only time I use the entire set is if I am doing problem razors, hard chippy steel ie: Revisors, newer TI's, those big Henckels Friodurs, Wackers, many Customs, any razor that has a tendency to be chippy, I have found that by using a full set and using light slurry on them gives me a 100% hit ratio on them.. The small steps up that ladder seems to really work well... Naniwa SS are probably one of the best "Polishing" hones you can use they are just so easy to bring a near perfect polish to the bevels and edges.. If you take the time to learn to actually use them they are very hard to beat ....

Many times if I am running Naturals I will hone

1-3-8 then Coticule or Thurigen or Escher or J-nat or whatever direction I decide the steel wants to take me,, This is the true versitility of the Synthetics you can get to shave ready, then use a finisher as a finisher...

You might want to read this thread

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...iwa-users.html

Also this system from the thread is on Youtube if you search "gssixgun, Naniwa"

There is a ton of info just on these hones

Very interesting Gsssix, does this system result in smoother edges???

Im going for the most comfortable shave because of my sensitive skin, so money isn't really an issue (besides full shapton sets)

Would a 12k finish followed by say 10 strokes on crOx be comfortable? What can I do for the maximum comfort? Escher?