Thread: first hone set

OK everybody. I seem to be leaning towards picking up a set of naniwa stones for my first set. Now more or less deciding what grits to go with and weather or not to get a lap plate to flatten them out. I want something with the ability to hone from start to finish but dont want to get the full nine stone set. I believe that may be overkill for me. I was considering doing the 5,8,12 from SRD with a 1000 as well what does everyone think? Is there a better grit set up to go with let me know. Opinions are greatly appreciated.

You'll do just fine with that progression and setup. I've never used the nanaiwas myself but have heard good things. And yes, you will need a lapping plate for the stones, most around here use the DMT 325 (DMT8C I believe)

For me a 800/5000 and a 3000/10000 naniwa ss have worked well. I just lap them against each other, it takes some time but it works fine. I have just honed for a year so im no expert but it worked well for me

The Naniwa SS are superb polishers, they are my Goto set of hones now..

Especially the 3/8 I use those two hones nearly everyday, reading your OP again I would recommend the 3/8/12 since I don't see a 1k in there

I would get the Chosera 1k for sure if you are going to go that route. I have the King 1k and Norton1k and the Chosera is head and shoulders above either. What you have mentioned are a perfect combination. You may want to consider getting the Naniwa 3k/8k. You are getting an 8k anyway so having that 3k side won't hurt. I find it is great for finishing setting the bevel after coming off the 1k. It also gives you one more step to drop back on if you are finishing a razor that has the bevel already set and you need a little more metal taken off but don't want to drop back all the way to the 1k. Its also a good stone for the pyramid method because its just one stone and all you have to do is flip it.

Edit

So basically everything Gssixgun said lol

yeah I have a 1k listed do you still go with the 3/8 or stick with 5/8? or just get a 3k as well?

Chosera 1K-Bevel Setting
Naniwa 3K-pre-polishing
Naniwa 8K-Polishing
Naniwa 12K-Finishing
DMT8C or DMT11C-lapping

IMO you really don't "need" the 12K to start out, honing to 8K is where you build your honing skills. You just can't go wrong with Naniwa's, Norton's, or Shapton's.

I agree with shooter. Chosera 1k, nani 3/8k combo, Nani 12k. You can add a 5k later on but I like the versatility of the 3k, and u can set a bevel on it fairly quick if u dont want to go all the way down to the 1 k. You can lap with sand paper if u dont want the expense of a lapping plate right away.
I have
Chosera
Nani 3/8
nani 5
king 1/6
Nani 12
plus Norton 1k,4/8k

I play with them all but if I could choose one progression it would be as Shooter said.