newb queastion 2

sorry for so many queastions
i have decided against natural hones for the minute,and found a naniwa 1/3k at a very agreable price
my next queastion is a naniwa 8k good enough to shave with without buying a 10/12k for the minute
thanks dave

Yes I have shaved off my naniwa 8k a few times. I like to take my dmt work up a light slurry, 10 straight laps, then 20 x-strokes diluting every 5 laps until nothing but water; the razor should feel like it is a smooth glide by then on the stone, then pasted strop, good to go. The 12k will give more "smoothness", but right off the 8k is a comfortable shave for me and the pasted strop will add just a bit of keeness to the edge before the linen/leather.

Yes, a 8K will give you an edge to shave with. After you get good at it, you might want to go up to a Naniwa 12K. But you don't need a finisher right now, the 8K is fine.

Well, the question might be, "Are you experienced enough with an 8K to bring a razor to shave ready?"
An 8K can do the job, but you might need to practice with it for a while.
So many varibles in honing a razor to shave ready, not just the selection of hone grits.

Sorry for the vague answer Dave, I just hate to see you disappointed with your shave after buying these nice hones. Eventually you will learn to shave ready a razor, it just doesn't happen much, the first time around.

My own experience with a Norton 8K:

. . . When I started, I couldn't get a shave-ready edge off it. But I _could_ get
. . . a shave-ready edge with the 8K, followed by CrOxide on a pasted strop.

. . . After a while, I learned what "light pressure" and "no pressure" meant. I could get
. . . edges that passed the HHT, and that I could shave with, off the 8K.

I still do a few laps on CrOxide.

Your experience may differ.

. Charles

Never apologize for questions. The more the better. I ask a ton and everyone has been so glad to help. I thought at first people would tell me to just go away I was asking so many questions lol. Sounds like a good set up there. I am not experienced but have recently started to hone. I have a progression similar to yours and I was able to get a great shave off of an 8k. I really want to try those Naniwa stones. Ill have to wait a while though as RAD has taken me over full force.

thanks all:)
i am not a novice to sharpening in general,just to razors,all my knives kitchen/hunting can shave arm hair or face hair at a push,but i relise it is far easier to wreck a straight razor thats why i ask as many queastions as i can,so i know what to expect before i start.but with a 3/5 week turn around to get my razor profesionaly honed i need to learn now lol
i also know itis down to experiance and thats why i am getting decent stones that are more beginer friendly,as constant failure does nothing for morale
thanks again dave

santa hurry up,just had the worst shave ever i think i felt every hair being cut or dragged out:cen