Thread: Naniwa SS 12k vs Shapton GS 16k: Which one to buy?

I have and use both. Either is fine. Lately, I've been favoring the Shaptons. They're faster, at least for me. Some find the edge of the Shapton 16k a bit harsh, like diamond paste. If your bevel is set properly, and the edge is good coming off the 8k, I find 10 no pressure strokes on the 16k is enough. I normally don't count, but less is more with that stone ime. The Naniwa 12k is probably more user friendly.

Originally Posted by eleblu05

dzacca you said your razor is harsh coming off your norton 8k ?how so, is it pulling or is it causing skin irritation?

Hi eleblu,

for the first 3/4 shaves it tend to cause some irritation, nothing serious and no razor burns, just some redness that normally fades in less than 1 hour. I can correct it with a proper (and long) session of stropping. If, once honed, I pass it for say 100 passes on linen and 75/100 passes on leather it gets better and improves further in a couple of shaves (and more stropping).

BTW, apart from the naniwa 12k I'm now building a padded stop where I'll attach some felt and past it with Crox

IMPORTANT!!!

do NOT soak your nani!

YES to water prep. I put a layer of water on mine, and let it soak in, and then another layer and start honing. Spray a little more on as needed. But soaking them is a no-no (at least from what I am remembering)
Tell 'em Lynn!

Originally Posted by dzacca

Hi eleblu,

for the first 3/4 shaves it tend to cause some irritation, nothing serious and no razor burns, just some redness that normally fades in less than 1 hour. I can correct it with a proper (and long) session of stropping. If, once honed, I pass it for say 100 passes on linen and 75/100 passes on leather it gets better and improves further in a couple of shaves (and more stropping).

BTW, apart from the naniwa 12k I'm now building a padded strop where I'll attach some felt and past it with Crox

eleblu,

just to complete this comment, yesterday evening I stropped again the razor: 50 linen/75 leather, this morning another 25 leather and then shaved and it was nice and smooth: no pulling, no scratching, just perfect.

I'm pretty well convinced that with the naniwa 12k that I order I can improve the edge even further.

Originally Posted by dzacca

eleblu,

just to complete this comment, yesterday evening I stropped again the razor: 50 linen/75 leather, this morning another 25 leather and then shaved and it was nice and smooth: no pulling, no scratching, just perfect.

I'm pretty well convinced that with the naniwa 12k that I order I can improve the edge even further.

yes a 12k will improve the edge i just wanted to make sure you were getting all you can out of the 8k before moving on to a 12k you should get a comfortable shave with an 8k without pulling or irritation. what is your stone progression? and do you have a jewelers loupe?

The naniwa superstone can soak for a few minutes with no problem.

The chosera isn't supposed to be soaked because of its magnesium bonding.

Michael

guys, you are confusing me now

Do I soak the naniwa SS or not?

Originally Posted by dzacca

guys, you are confusing me now

Do I soak the naniwa SS or not?

No, no need for that.
Splash some water on them, let them sit for a minute or two and start honing.
Keep adding water as needed.

You are getting confused because there are different thickness's of Naniwa SS hones.. Some do have a tendency to "Swell" and it is advisable to let them soak about 15 minutes so they stabilize before you start honing..
Some don't have that issue.. also the early production ones with the plastic bases seem to need a bit more testing but you can't buy those now hehehe

Once yours are in hand you will have to figure that out, check the level, then spray and recheck see what happens, if it changes then try soaking 10-15 minutes and see what happens...

Everyone can only tell you what their Naniwas do. you have to do your own tests


YMMV is the standing rule when it comes to this hobby very little is written in stone


ps: Shapton GS hones can have swelling also

Originally Posted by gssixgun

ps: Shapton GS hones can have swelling also

Nooooooo, I just bought a 16k Shapton hoping that it won't warp like crazy as my Naniwa 10k does

I hope at least I won't have to lap it as frequently