Thread: newbie question!

Initially you can easily get by with Norton 4k/8k as everyone is saying here. As a matter of fact, you would do well to master the 8k shave.

Go with the 4k/8k.....

Jerry
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I agree with Ace, and I agree with Jerry. For what you describe, the Naniwa 12k would be perfect. It's a generous size, 8 x 3" or so, much bigger than barber hones, and it's as fast as a barber hone. But Yes, the 4k/8k is a real workhorse too, and getting a good shave off the 8k side is a good measure of your honing ability.

Just as blades don't come shave ready from the factory, hones don't come razor-ready from the factory. You'll also need something to lap it flat with; most of us use a 325-grit diamond plate from DMT. There are other makers; the ones that cost more are reliably flat but the ones that cost less than DMTs are not reliably flat. You can count on the DMT being flat. On a Norton 8k, I've heard that you have to take off 3 or 4 mm from the surface to get to nice grit; something about the manufacturing process makes the very outside suboptimal. The cheaper lapping solution is some 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper on a polished tile, or a piece of glass, or something else you trust to be extremely smooth and flat. Keep it wet as you lap your hone.

I've got the Naniwa 12k and a Norton 4/8 and they're both great hones. I think I'll swing toward Ace's original advice, and guess that the 12k will be your best solution. Maybe a few (6 to 8) strokes on it every other week; don't wait until you think the blade NEEDS work; then it might be too late and you might really need the 4k side of the Norton.

Best wishes to you.

Originally Posted by roughkype

I agree with Ace, and I agree with Jerry. For what you describe, the Naniwa 12k would be perfect. It's a generous size, 8 x 3" or so, much bigger than barber hones, and it's as fast as a barber hone. But Yes, the 4k/8k is a real workhorse too, and getting a good shave off the 8k side is a good measure of your honing ability.

Just as blades don't come shave ready from the factory, hones don't come razor-ready from the factory. You'll also need something to lap it flat with; most of us use a 325-grit diamond plate from DMT. There are other makers; the ones that cost more are reliably flat but the ones that cost less than DMTs are not reliably flat. You can count on the DMT being flat. On a Norton 8k, I've heard that you have to take off 3 or 4 mm from the surface to get to nice grit; something about the manufacturing process makes the very outside suboptimal. The cheaper lapping solution is some 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper on a polished tile, or a piece of glass, or something else you trust to be extremely smooth and flat. Keep it wet as you lap your hone.

I've got the Naniwa 12k and a Norton 4/8 and they're both great hones. I think I'll swing toward Ace's original advice, and guess that the 12k will be your best solution. Maybe a few (6 to 8) strokes on it every other week; don't wait until you think the blade NEEDS work; then it might be too late and you might really need the 4k side of the Norton.

Best wishes to you.

Thank you for this- it was not something I had thought of, it arrived yesterday and I have followed this advice and honed my razor, about 10 strokes a side, I'm off to shave now and I'll post the result
Cheers

When I was a newbie, I found that I caused more trouble for myself with the 1k and 4k. If all you are doing is touching up the edge I would recommend the one stone...a 12k super stone. All you need until you really learn your stuff is to polish out small blimishes on the edge. With the 4/8k combo you will over do it, everybody does. I been there and done that. Later if you want to do more restoring get the 4 and 8 and maby the 1k. Learn on cheap razors you don't mind hurting. There are plenty on ebay.
Stingray

Cheers all for this, I went looking for a naniwa 12k ss and could only find a 10k in stock, I went with this in the hope it would be almost as gentle as the 12k but offer more flexibility if the edge needed a bit more work. I hope that makes sense?
thanks all for the advice, i'll let you know how it goes.

naniwa 12k

Just went and shaved, had to stop halfway edge was poor still pulling and tugging so I went back to the stone another 8 laps a side this time with moderate to gentle pressure ( was v gentle before ) and then 100 laps on leather strop again. Relathered and went to it, wow, excellent edge, really happy, honed my first razor and got it to as good as new, cheers chaps excellent result.

That's great another happy ending, feels good eh.

Bob

Great news, glad to hear it!

Bully for you!! Great way to start your wet shaving Hobby!
Have a great shave on me!

tinkersd