Thread: good first stones

I am wondering if i can get by with just the norton 4/8 k then leather strop ,i would rather get the Naniwa set but cannot afford them,so i guess the question is if i get the norton 4/8 can i go straight from the 8k to the strop or will i need to get some chromium oxide?

There is always the 3/8K Naniwa combo hone to consider.

Bob

One of the experts will chime in soon, but from my experience it becomes a personal, subjective choice. The standard seems to be several laps on Crox then linen and leather. Some have had good shaves just going from 8k to linen/leather. It always comes down to trying various methods till you find the one that works for you. And as far as the Nortons go, those have been the standard for honing for a very long time. The only difference I can tell between the Norton's and the Naniwa's is you don't have to soak the Naniwa's.

Get some Crox and give it a whirl. You're probably gonna want some Crox (or similar) sooner or later, so give it a try. I think your honing skills will be a larger part of the equation. I've got a Nani 12K you can borrow if you want. We could do a honing session if interested.

I went for the Norton 4k/8k combination stone for my first stone last month. You only have to soak the 4k side, 8k needs just a sprinkle.

It cost an arm and a leg importing it in from the US and I had to contend with eBay's global seller programme nonsense but the stone itself feels nice and I've turned a Western straight and a kamisori from dull to shave okay on the 8k... and I'm a novice

I cannot speak for anything else or anyone else but I am very pleased that I bought my Norton 4k/8k as my first stone.

A logical step that works with what you have, would be to the Naniwa 12K. You won't need to buy the set. You'll learn the 4/8k JaNorton and add in the graceful Nani 12K.

Thanks for the help,and yeah ozarkedger i might pm you some time about that

I used a Norton 4/8 combo then leather for about a year. I was able to get a good enough edge to have a comfortable shave. I added an arky to finish with but it wasn't needed I just wanted it. Fyi I have a wiry beard and skin that is the polar opposite of sensitive, that may play a role in the comfort part

Get the Norton 4/8 by all means. As has often been said on here, the 8k edge is a good benchmark. You don't need anything else until you are getting consistently good shaves off that 8k side. That's how many of us got started. Many will then add the wonderful Nani 12, CrOx, etc. to refine their edges even further. Beyond that, you don't really need anything. It's just a matter of how much you want to spend on this hobby.

I think the 4/8 Norton is what everything else is compared too. Get the basics learn the basics. Many don't and have a great time learning and shaving thinking they got it all together. What they don't know isn't hurting them :<0)