Thread: First hone will be a finisher, but what to get?

I'm ready to take a dive into honing. I want to take baby steps. I figure, my first hone should be a finisher for doing touch-ups on my razor. There are a lot of options out there, though. I'm not too comfortable with a barber hone to start with. There just seems to be so may variables with those old hones. I have narrowed it down to a few. I like the looks of Naniwa 12K super stones, Chinese 12k, lapping film on glass, and coticules. I was about to just pull the trigger on a Naniwa 12K but had second thoughts about the price. If someone has one collecting dust, I'd love to take it off your hands, but until that happens, I'd like your thoughts. I'm totally new to honing, except for touch-ups on Chromox and tonight, I'm gonna try .5 diamond spray on felt. But I'd like a stone. What are your thoughts on a good one to start with?

Film works as well as hones. Just watch you don't tear it up. I like stones. I use dmt 1200 for bevels and Norton 4/8 and naniwa 12k. I had a Chinese 12k but sold it. Too slow and took forever to lap. You will need to lap your stones before you use them and regularly after so take that into consideration to get one. I love the 12k compared to the Chinese 12.

My first finisher I got was a C12k cause it was cheap and it turned out a fantastic finisher, but many have had bad results with them. They seem to vary in quality. I haven't used a Naniwa 12k, but from what I read they are really nice and you would get more consistent results with it. I have been wanting to get one for awhile now aswell as alot of other hones.

I have had coticules, a Chinese 12k, and a Naniwa 12k. All are nice in their own ways, but for a newb I don't think I'd recommend a coticule as there's somewhat of a learning curve with them. The Naniwa 12k is nice, but I sold mine due to not liking the edge it produced. YMMV though; you could love it!

I like my c12k for a number of reasons. They give great edges, and it's very hard (if not impossible) to overhone a razor on the c12k. I put in a vote for the c12k!! Yeah they're slow, but I find honing to be relaxing anyway, so it is not a problem...

Good info. Interesting about the Chinese 12k. A slow hone does seem like it would be more forgiving. How many laps would you say it takes to touch up a razor with one?

40 to 50 and up to 100 from my experience with them. I rather do 15 . Everybody has a take on things so my way doesn't mean its THE way. I was interested in the 12k because it was less than 1/2 the price. And a synthetic stone has no variation in grit. Naturals might say 12k but they might be 10 k or 14 k. Buy both then LOL. Us straight shavers have 6 of everything anyway!

I went with Naniwa 12K SS for my first finisher and am pleased,

generaly with the ones I have honed 10 to 20 laps pending the steel has done the trick.

The edge after hone 40 linen 100 leather has gotten me very smooth and comfortable shaves.

I only do 20/50 stropping for daily maitinance but have found the 40/100 post hone realy helps blend the edge for a good shave.

Of the options you are considering, I suggest the Naniwa. It's really a very good price for what you're getting.

I may just go for a Naniwa. I figure if I ever get into honing from start to finish, it would be a good one to have.

Originally Posted by danxaz

I may just go for a Naniwa. I figure if I ever get into honing from start to finish, it would be a good one to have.

Then theres lapping film. And it goes on and on. Naniwa 12 imo u cant go wrong.