Thread: Thoughts on some ebay hones?

I'm not sure if "newbies" need an easy man-made stone, like the norton or naniwa ones. BBW+C12k with slurry stones do the same thing with half the price, and, you get to know two of the most famous naturals. Get accustomed with the naturals if you like the natural thing. You will sooner or later face them. Why not try them now, yes, make your mistakes, but, that's life. That includes those 3 hones. Although I'm not sure if they get as fine as a good C12k or a vintage yellow lake, but, they are cheap.

Edit; Tomorrow I will order 3 natural Spanish hones, big ones, I have high hopes. In about a week if everything goes well, I'll open a thread about them.

I like the dark green and purple stones in this set, but they are finishers and require a fair bit of work to get the best out of them. A synthetic 12K like the Naniwa is easier and quicker but with the trade off of price.

For one or two razors, a fair bit of work is 10 mins? Try honing a sword with them . For those hones, you pay less, and you gain experience. Is there something more that someone needs for honing? Give it your best, and if it's not good enough, try again.

I've had good luck with all my stone purchases from eBay (including the Welsh slate hones that the OP linked to).... but my experiences may be the exception rather than the rule. If you aren't going to be doing any "real" honing, then I'd just go with a Naniwa 12k or a barber's hone. They're consistent so you know exactly what you're getting, and there's a bunch of guys on the forum that can help you if you're having trouble with it. The naturals are far more fickle, and that can cause a noob honer a lot of trouble.

Originally Posted by myersn024

I've had good luck with all my stone purchases from eBay (including the Welsh slate hones that the OP linked to).... but my experiences may be the exception rather than the rule. If you aren't going to be doing any "real" honing, then I'd just go with a Naniwa 12k or a barber's hone. They're consistent so you know exactly what you're getting, and there's a bunch of guys on the forum that can help you if you're having trouble with it. The naturals are far more fickle, and that can cause a noob honer a lot of trouble.

can you pls define(Real Honing?)as opposed to non-real Honing.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

can you pls define(Real Honing?)as opposed to non-real Honing.

I just meant the difference between touching up razors and getting junk store razors restored to shaving sharp. There's an order of magnitude difference between the two as far as I'm concerned and one requires quite a bit more kit than the other.