Thread: Some advice on honing stones - Naniwa Stones

I can't offer too much more than what has already been states, so I will just add my experience.

I have a set of Naniwa SS (400,1k,5k,8k,12k) and they do EVERYTHING that I need them to do.

I only owned up to a 5K for my first few months and got passable shaves from that, but adding the 8k and then eventually the 12k have drastically improved my shaves. I'm sure that they improved from experience as well, but finer stones probably helped out as well.

Anyways, I have to agree with adding a 1k and 12k to your Norton 4/8 just to be more cost effective.

Good luck, and keep us posted on how your honing turns out.

[QUOTE=ironsidegnr;1022673]I can't offer too much more than what has already been states, so I will just add my experience.

I have a set of Naniwa SS (400,1k,5k,8k,12k) and they do EVERYTHING that I need them to do.

I only owned up to a 5K for my first few months and got passable shaves from that, but adding the 8k and then eventually the 12k have drastically improved my shaves. I'm sure that they improved from experience as well, but finer stones probably helped out as well.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Do you have a lot of need to use something as course as a 400 or is this only really used for remove a lot of metal to remove chips etc? Is it best to re-set the bevel before each hone and work your way up or is it easier just to maintain shave ready on the finer stones?

I also have a set of Naniwa's I don't use much anymore, even the 12k. Nothing wrong with them, I've just been exploring other avenues. I love the Chosera 1k for bevel setting, but from there, I've been using the Shapton GS Series stones. 2k, 4k, 6k, 8k, 16k, and then maybe a few lapps on the escher to take away some of the bite.

They're quickly becoming my hones of choice.

P.S. I have the 220g and 400g as well. I only use those for damaged razors really.
As far as bevel setting goes, it really depends on the razor. If the bevel is ok, I may start in the 4k range, and go from there.

Originally Posted by postmastergeneral

( On most days I will go one step further than those though )

Are you talking about the Shapton 16 and 30k's?

That and about a dozen other finishers, both natural and synthetic.

No need for exploring that route yet though.
Master the set you decide to get, and once you do, if you wanna spend hours chasing that last percent of keenness and wow-factor edge, we are here to help out with all the madness

[QUOTE=postmastergeneral;1022726]

Originally Posted by ironsidegnr

I can't offer too much more than what has already been states, so I will just add my experience.

I have a set of Naniwa SS (400,1k,5k,8k,12k) and they do EVERYTHING that I need them to do.

I only owned up to a 5K for my first few months and got passable shaves from that, but adding the 8k and then eventually the 12k have drastically improved my shaves. I'm sure that they improved from experience as well, but finer stones probably helped out as well.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Do you have a lot of need to use something as course as a 400 or is this only really used for remove a lot of metal to remove chips etc? Is it best to re-set the bevel before each hone and work your way up or is it easier just to maintain shave ready on the finer stones?

I RARELY use below 1K. like you already said, the only time I use my 400 is when I have to really remove alot of steel to remove a chip or correct some blade geometry. 90% of the time I don't go below a 1K. There is no NEED to have a 400 really, just speeds up the process a little. It is a double edged sword though, it also speeds up any mistakes that you are making when you hone. It doesn't take long to destroy a blade with a 400......been there...

alos, in Germany we have all Nanwa 400k, 1000k chosera, 3,5,8,10k Naniwa Superstone and Finisher Thüringer or Nakayama Maruka.....
this is the best result ...... Germans have not Norton : Beer1:

Originally Posted by strawinski

alos, in Germany we have all Nanwa 400k, 1000k chosera, 3,5,8,10k Naniwa Superstone and Finisher Thüringer or Nakayama Maruka.....
this is the best result ...... Germans have not Norton : Beer1:

Ok, those sound like interesting finishing stones but where on earth do you get them? There is very little on the internet about Thuringer or Maruka?

Originally Posted by strawinski

alos, in Germany we have all Nanwa 400k, 1000k chosera, 3,5,8,10k Naniwa Superstone and Finisher Thüringer or Nakayama Maruka.....
this is the best result ...... Germans have not Norton : Beer1:

Ok, those sound like interesting finishing stones but where on earth do you get them? There is very little on the internet about Thuringer or Maruka?

in Germany at the rummage for 20 €

Originally Posted by strawinski

in Germany at the rummage for 20 €

Really? The few posts about Nakayama Maruka natural stones have been for several hundred to 2grand? Will take Birnandos advice and learn the skills on the normal stones before exploring the polishing ones.