Thread: New Zealand where to get honing stones???

Both have their adherents, both are fine stones. Nortons have a longer history here than the Naniwas, but I don't think that matters a lot. I think you'd be happy with either.

James.

I have decided to go with Norton WaterStone 3 Piece Set $134.99usd, Naniwa Super Stone 12000 Grit in Stand $71.99usd & Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Dish and Soap hehehe $49.99usd total including shipping = 328.27 USD = 437.159 NZD

Now just the Norton 3 piece is $134.99 USD = $179.570 NZD, but shipping is $71.30 USD = $94.9835 NZD which still ends up cheaper cause I am getting a three piece set for less than the one stone at $209nzd

Just to update this thread for any other kiwis floating around, I've struggled to find a decently priced Norton or Naniwa around the place, or on any NZ online store. Just ordered a Naniwa combo through SRD and even with postage and duty the price is far better than local rates.

At the risk of being howled down 330_mate on EBay has Naniwas at a very competitive price and low delivery a well

SRD is the best, brought mine through there in the end. PM me if your wanting honing done in NZ

This is the second thread I have seen with a Kiwi having a hard time finding stones. The options they do have is crazy expensive shipping wise. I am thinking maybe there is an open market here waiting to be filled by a bold Kiwi shaver.

Originally Posted by aa1192

This is the second thread I have seen with a Kiwi having a hard time finding stones. The options they do have is crazy expensive shipping wise. I am thinking maybe there is an open market here waiting to be filled by a bold Kiwi shaver.

The problem is that there's probably only about 9 people in NZ who know what a straight razor is, let alone shave with one Similar issue here; I reckon there's about a dozen straight shavers in QLD out of a population of 5m. If you extrapolate that ratio to the whole of Australia it means there are less than 60 blokes using a straight. Not much of a market.

On second thought, you could probably multiply my figures by 2 or 3 to account for guys who use straights but aren't on SRP.

I'd welcome other opinions

Probably a fairly limited market. Our population is a mere 4 million. International shipping really has gone through the roof over the last 2 years. Having said that, still cheaper than local prices. Maybe worth considering approaching Lynn about a group buy if there is enough interest. I have been looking at the Norton 4000/8000 combo now for 18 months or so. I used to be indecisive, but now I am not
so sure.

Can't speak to the obtaining and shipping of stones to NZ but can comment on the stones. Norton 4/8k is a fine workhorse of a stone. Looked far and wide and bought from Amazon. Now they just act as a go between customer and supplier but I'm wondering what kind of a deal they have with the mfgrs/suppliers because I got my stone for less than the maker's price in their catalog. Coupled the 4/8k with a King 1k for bevel setting and a DMT 325 for lapping and rough work. Finishing stones later after I get consistently good shaving edges off the 8k side.

Originally Posted by Maladroit

The problem is that there's probably only about 9 people in NZ who know what a straight razor is, let alone shave with one

so at least you'll have a growing market and your new internet store will be easy to combine with your normal work! and if or when SR use takes a bit of a lift you'll be the go to guy to get these stones