Thread: New to honing, what should i start with?

First of all, where are you from? If you lived around me, I would say to come over and try out a few stones.

I have owned the entire sets of Naniwa, Norton, and Shapton GS's & you can't go wrong with any of them. For beginners I would say one, I repeat one stone first. Learn to maintain your razors first on either a Naniwa 3/8 or Norton 4/8 combination stone, later followed by a Naniwa 12K. After you can maintain your razors without question (if you are in question, send one to a veteran shaver to test shave) then get into bevel setting those auction/flea market/antique store razors I am sure you have already started to accumulate.

To directly answer your question of which of the three, throw a dart as they are all good, neither is "better" than the other. You will be able to find more information on the Norton's...but you will not go wrong with any of your choices...but no matter you will need to lap the stones "skin" off. 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper or DMT will handle this job just fine.

As far as lapping the N12K, once you have lapped the skin off it, you will not have to really "lap" it again as you will not use it all that much. So, yes, the DMT8C is just fine for the N12K.

set #1 and your good to go on any razor in any condition !

Originally Posted by shooter74743

First of all, where are you from? If you lived around me, I would say to come over and try out a few stones.

I have owned the entire sets of Naniwa, Norton, and Shapton GS's & you can't go wrong with any of them. For beginners I would say one, I repeat one stone first. Learn to maintain your razors first on either a Naniwa 3/8 or Norton 4/8 combination stone, later followed by a Naniwa 12K. After you can maintain your razors without question (if you are in question, send one to a veteran shaver to test shave) then get into bevel setting those auction/flea market/antique store razors I am sure you have already started to accumulate.

To directly answer your question of which of the three, throw a dart as they are all good, neither is "better" than the other. You will be able to find more information on the Norton's...but you will not go wrong with any of your choices...but no matter you will need to lap the stones "skin" off. 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper or DMT will handle this job just fine.

As far as lapping the N12K, once you have lapped the skin off it, you will not have to really "lap" it again as you will not use it all that much. So, yes, the DMT8C is just fine for the N12K.

thanks for this reply, a few clarifying questions:

if i never plan on restoring a razor, and will only need to maintain razors that have already been shave ready, i dont need a 1000 grit stone, is that correct?

also, why dont i need a 12k stone right away? wouldnt a 12k give the razor the sharpest/best edge possible?

If i did decided to go with the Naniwa Set of 5000/8000/12000 right away, would that be enough to hone a razor? or is the 5000 starting out too high of a grit.

Last question, i promise, if i wanted to lap the stones with 400 grit sand paper, how would i do that?

Thanks alot!

Also i live in chicago, looks like you are texas, little to far to come check out your stones

Originally Posted by jgrunst

thanks for this reply, a few clarifying questions:

if i never plan on restoring a razor, and will only need to maintain razors that have already been shave ready, i dont need a 1000 grit stone, is that correct?
yes, correct for the most part

also, why dont i need a 12k stone right away? wouldnt a 12k give the razor the sharpest/best edge possible? no. the sharpness comes from the lower grits that a 3-4 can take care of. If you can't get a good shave off a 8K stone, you need more work. Once you get the 3/8 or 4/8k mastered, yes add the 12K. A 12K only adds smoothness to a shave as you are polishing it, not sharpening it.

If i did decided to go with the Naniwa Set of 5000/8000/12000 right away, would that be enough to hone a razor? or is the 5000 starting out too high of a grit.I still recommend a 3/8 Naniwa or 4/8 Norton for your first stone, they would be all you need...but of course there are the wants. IF you were my student to learn honing you would get a Norton 4/8K and a dmt8c...that's it.

Last question, i promise, if i wanted to lap the stones with 400 grit sand paper, how would i do that?pick up a 12x12 marble or granite tile at a place like home depot. Spray water on it, and lay the full sheet of sandpaper on it. The water will form a cohesive bond between the paper and tile & it won't slide while you are doing figure 8's

Thanks alot!

Also i live in chicago, looks like you are texas, little to far to come check out your stones

Hope this helps...

Add your location, it will help others to help you...

You got "suckered" in a good way my friend, you picked up some good gear. You shouldn't need the Nani for a while if the bought that Boker from SRD as Lynn will hone it up for you. That 8K is butter smooth and you should learn to produce quality shaving edges off it just fine. Your Swaty more than likely will not improve the edge off the Naniwa 8K, I would use it for what it is intended for...touching up razors. Actually, if you touch up a razor off it, you might give it a few strokes on your new 8K. Last thing is that you will need to lap your stones well the first time.
Happy shaving...
Scott