Thread: Norton 4/8 vs. Naniwa 3/8

From a results standpoint both are good, but in use I like the Norton better. Less clogging, and needs less lapping. While not as good feeling, it isn't bad either, the 8k feels actually very nice.

To echo some of what's been said:

I prefer the feel of the naniwa over the norton at lower grits, but I actually prefer the feel of the norton 8k to the naniwa 8k.

I find the nortons more versatile. I use some slurry sometimes, though I prefer coticule slurry. I hesitate to use slurry on the naniwas because they are soft and I wouldn't want anything to embed itself.

Honing three or less razors, I use the nortons. For more razors, I uses the naniawas. This is because my naniwas have to wet and stabilize before I can lap them - not worth the time for a razor or two. Sure, the norton 4k needs soaking, but that can be done while I set bevels or set up my honing area for the day.

Results wise, I don't think it matters at all.

By the way, dylandog, good to see you on the forum again. I still have that big old Savage I bought from you years ago, and I still love that razor.

I have the same dilemma and this tread has great info! Right now i have king 1000 and 6000 but nothing in between and my Taidea 8000 ... Quite a mix! I use super heavy slurry on the 6000 to compensate for not having a 3000/4000.... So thats why i was in these tread trying to decide between these stones! All i learn was that is personal preference! Lol ! I think i am going with naniwa to keep it Japanese! Lol

One point about the Naniwa stones which may or may not apply to the Nortons is that they have a habit of getting plugged up and need cleaning with a nagura. This could make things more fiddly. When I chose between the two though I went for the SS stones because of the feedback and softness. They may need more lapping, but are easier to lap by all accounts. Also the soak-time on the Norton doesn't recommend it to me. Plus the SS come in a wider range so if I want to plug up any little holes in my progression all the way up to 12k I can do so in the same series.

I also like their little stands! As one vendor so eloquently put it "look at rib, well done!" though that doesn't apply to the combi stones.

Also I don't mean to be impertinent (considering you're trying to choose between Norton and Naniwa) but if space is a factor for you shapton glass stones are probably the tidiest stones around and quite compact. The three-stone sets (one of which is 1k, 3k and 8k) come in a 250 x 80 x 50 container. Soak time is less than the Norton too, and I believe these need lapping even less often though you'll need a diamond plate or stone to lap them with. The fact that this includes a 1k stone would arguably give it a big advantages for bevel setting. That said I don't know how the 8k Shapton compares to the Naniwa/Norton.

I have the same dilemma and this tread has great info! Right now i have king 1000 and 6000 but nothing in between and my Taidea 8000 ... Quite a mix! I use super heavy slurry on the 6000 to compensate for not having a 3000/4000.... So thats why i was in these tread trying to decide between these stones! All i learn was that is personal preference! Lol ! I think i am going with naniwa to keep it Japanese! Lol

I have a Taidea 3/8 and I wish these rocks got more notice here. I don't think they're as good as the Norton or Naniwa, but it's not far off and a darn sight cheaper. I picked mine up for around $50! Shame you weren't able to pick this one up as the 3k side would fit in nicely before the 6k side on your king, but both Taidea (if you like their feel) and King/Ice Bear have several other options to plug the 1-6 gap. No doubt you're aware of all of these choices however. One thing I don't often see mentioned though are the 'private brand,' 4/10k Japanese resin stones that look like a steal at 20mm's thickness per side. They are a little narrow to my mind, but no more so than the King combi-stones, and the 4k side would plug the 1-6 gap nicely while the 10k side would - imho - definitely be an improvement on an 8k taidea. I can't vouch for the stone personally though. Might be worth asking around to see if anyone has used it if you're interested. I have dealt with the vendor though (bought a bunch of SS stones, Naguras, and a left-handed Kamisori) and he seems like a good guy.

Originally Posted by dadsavage

One point about the Naniwa stones which may or may not apply to the Nortons is that they have a habit of getting plugged up and need cleaning with a nagura. This could make things more fiddly. When I chose between the two though I went for the SS stones because of the feedback and softness. They may need more lapping, but are easier to lap by all accounts. Also the soak-time on the Norton doesn't recommend it to me. Plus the SS come in a wider range so if I want to plug up any little holes in my progression all the way up to 12k I can do so in the same series.

I also like their little stands! As one vendor so eloquently put it "look at rib, well done!" though that doesn't apply to the combi stones.

Also I don't mean to be impertinent (considering you're trying to choose between Norton and Naniwa) but if space is a factor for you shapton glass stones are probably the tidiest stones around and quite compact. The three-stone sets (one of which is 1k, 3k and 8k) come in a 250 x 80 x 50 container. Soak time is less than the Norton too, and I believe these need lapping even less often though you'll need a diamond plate or stone to lap them with. The fact that this includes a 1k stone would arguably give it a big advantages for bevel setting. That said I don't know how the 8k Shapton compares to the Naniwa/Norton.



I have a Taidea 3/8 and I wish these rocks got more notice here. I don't think they're as good as the Norton or Naniwa, but it's not far off and a darn sight cheaper. I picked mine up for around $50! Shame you weren't able to pick this one up as the 3k side would fit in nicely before the 6k side on your king, but both Taidea (if you like their feel) and King/Ice Bear have several other options to plug the 1-6 gap. No doubt you're aware of all of these choices however. One thing I don't often see mentioned though are the 'private brand,' 4/10k Japanese resin stones that look like a steal at 20mm's thickness per side. They are a little narrow to my mind, but no more so than the King combi-stones, and the 4k side would plug the 1-6 gap nicely while the 10k side would - imho - definitely be an improvement on an 8k taidea. I can't vouch for the stone personally though. Might be worth asking around to see if anyone has used it if you're interested. I have dealt with the vendor though (bought a bunch of SS stones, Naguras, and a left-handed Kamisori) and he seems like a good guy.

Thanks for the feedback ! Taidea 8k seems to work but they are grainy! Like my king 6k is smoother to the touch than the taidea 8k.... I could prob pick up a taidea 3k for 25-30$ but all i read in the forum is that the norton and naniwas ss are a better stone... So do i upgrade or just but a 3k taidea!? Thats my dilemma ... Lol! I kinda wanted to get one brand set for the entire process! I have kings 1k and 6k and taidea 8k and my 12k is a Chinese river stone! Crazy mixture of stones

Thanks for the feedback ! Taidea 8k seems to work but they are grainy! Like my king 6k is smoother to the touch than the taidea 8k.... I could prob pick up a taidea 3k for 25-30$ but all i read in the forum is that the norton and naniwas ss are a better stone... So do i upgrade or just but a 3k taidea!? Thats my dilemma ... Lol! I kinda wanted to get one brand set for the entire process! I have kings 1k and 6k and taidea 8k and my 12k is a Chinese river stone! Crazy mixture of stones

If you like King whetstones they come in many grits. 800/2000 and 4000 are, I think, available. Not to mention 8k if you ever want to replace your taidea stone, and I think they come in 10k too if you want an alternate finisher and a lineup made up entirely of King stones. I don't think King stones are any more expensive than Taidea stones, and as I understand it they are better for razors. My only criticism of them is they're a little narrow, and I've been told they cut rather slowly. Though you would have the potential for a lineup all from one brand.

Naniwa SS stones do indeed seem to get better feedback than king stones though. That said, they're not that pricey either especially if you don't mind the 10mm stones if you're looking to buy them individually. On the other hand 3/8 Naniwa could arguably replace both your King 1/6 and your Taidea. Possibly even your C12k to boot. Though keeping the 1/6 around might make life easier all the same.