Thread: Me first stone! Naniwa, Coti?

For a beginner I would go with the Naniwa's. Easier to use and your Naniwa's will be the same as everybody else's so it is alot easier for others on the forum to help out when you are having problems. Coticules are all different so it is a bit tougher to get help.

I own eight coticules and love em all, but somedays they frustrate the crap out of me.

Originally Posted by Danricgro

For a beginner I would go with the Naniwa's. Easier to use and your Naniwa's will be the same as everybody else's so it is alot easier for others on the forum to help out when you are having problems. Coticules are all different so it is a bit tougher to get help.

I own eight coticules and love em all, but somedays they frustrate the crap out of me.

thanks for the response guys, would the three set from SRD be enough or do I need any more stones?

How long have you been straight razor shaving?

Originally Posted by eastoahu

thanks for the response guys, would the three set from SRD be enough or do I need any more stones?

I'd advise going with a synthetic set first to learn honing. Get a coticule to work with after you've mastered the basics and are getting good shave ready edges with the synthetics.

I personally like the norton 4/8 better than naniwa or shapton but that is just me. I think the 3 set would be good enough if you know how to use them. You could learn on them if you don't know yet. Just get some inexpensive used razors to practice on before you take your new razors to them.

You'll need a lapping plate to keep them flat and the Dia-Sharp DMT D8C continuous diamond plate is pretty much the default plate that the majority of members here use. Invest in one of those when you buy whichever stones you finally choose.

Everyones experience is different. I had the King 1k, Norton 4/8k and could not get an edge off them to save my life.

Struggled for weeks and weeks and thought I was just retarded for not being able to get the hang of it. Was given a Coticule to try and first shot managed to get a wonderful edge. Super Smooth and comfortable shaves and i was able to repeat the results with every razor I took to it.

Are there any members close by to you that may have a variety of stones? Or a local meetup where there will be a group of people that can let you play with their rocks for a day? I found that a huge help as well.