Quote Originally Posted by shooter74743 View Post
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