Torn between two honing sets

Hey everybody, I decided to dive into honing my own razors so that I wouldn't have to send them out anymore and I could also teach my friends how to hone their razors. Only problem is, I don't know whether to buy the Norton 4 stone set or the Naniwa 3 stone set, which includes the 12k finisher. I know some people can shave right off the Norton 8k but eventually I'm gonna need a finisher for a smoother shave. I've debated on getting a coticule but decided that should be for down the road. Excited to hear what you guys think. Thank you, have a good day.

Here is my recommendation, hope funds allow it.
325 DMT diamond
1k Chosera
4/8k Norton
12k Super stone

That should be as versatile as it gets.

Either way that you go, you will also need a 1k for setting the bevel and a DMT 8C (325 grit) for lapping the hones. I went Norton 1k, 4k/8k combo and Naniwa 12k. Be advised that you can shave off of the Norton 8k, if you need to.

Thanks for the recommendations! Question, how comfortable is the shave from the Norton 8k? I was thinking maybe I'll go with the Norton. 220/1k, 4k/8k and lapping stone combo for sale at SRD and then just picking up a Naniwa 12k for a complete hone setup. Would this be a recommended setup for a beginner?

how is your shaving experience ,, honing can come later after you learn to shave well and strop and to refresh , and the opinion is the Nani 12k to start out refreshing ,,, TC

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Originally Posted by Jledesma22

Thanks for the recommendations! Question, how comfortable is the shave from the Norton 8k? I was thinking maybe I'll go with the Norton. 220/1k, 4k/8k and lapping stone combo for sale at SRD and then just picking up a Naniwa 12k for a complete hone setup. Would this be a recommended setup for a beginner?

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the 220 is useless for razors, I personally did not like the 1k either it felt too gritty ,drinks a lot of water and dishes very fast.
You may be able to get good shaves after the 8k but you will have to get experienced with it, and have a pasted strop to use after the hone.

Each person has there own favorite hones as well as razors. For me it's the 1K-3/8K-12K naniwa. these stones for me are the easiest to use. I had the 4/8 Norton and really didn't like it. The naniwa doesn't drink to much water and does give a really good edge. I know that a lot of folks shave off the 8K but for me I want the extra sharp edge that the 12K gives. When I got that down like I thought it should be a friend showed me the Suehiro 20K. Hones like razors are addicting. The 220 stone is great to cut a bevel on a edge that is in extremely bad shape. As you will find out there are many many many hones out there and I have not tried them all but between the Norton and the naniwa the naniwa was the easiest for me to use. The DMT 325 diamond plate to me is essential to keeping the hones flat and clean. Anyway that's my take on hones .

If your joining date closely matches you experience shaving with and honing straight razors it might be a fair while before you will be able to teach friends how to hone their own razors. I can take a while to learn how to get "consistently" good edges for shaving. I would learn to shave proficiently with a straight razor first maintaining it with good stropping technique which also has a learning curve.

That said maybe a Naniwa 12k finishing hone to start with to touch up the edge when stropping no longer will do it. I would add from there. OTH if you are going to try your hand at restoring old blades that may have chips and other defects to correct then you could go for Naniwa hones in 1K, 3K, 8K and 12K to start with. You should also have something like a DMT 325 to lap your hones flat and clean them up. It all depends on what you want to do.

Bob

Thanks for the info. I've been using a straight razor for a couple of years now. I get really comfortable shaves with all my razors but I'm just tired of traveling down to Ross cutlery in LA to get my razors honed. And when they do hone it can be a hit or miss experience. I come to this site quite often to read reviews of razors and brushes but just recently joined so that I can chime in on some questions of my own instead of trying to find a question of the same topic asked by another member. I got everything I need. Razors, strop, brush, soaps, creams and aftershave. The only thing I want is to hone my own blades. I feel like I might be able to put a better edge on my blades then the guys over at Ross cutlery. Great store by the way. If you live in LA it's definitely worth checking out. They carry some nice vintage razors and just recently started carrying a USA brand called the Grim Blades.

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Originally Posted by Jledesma22

Thanks for the info. I've been using a straight razor for a couple of years now. I get really comfortable shaves with all my razors but I'm just tired of traveling down to Ross cutlery in LA to get my razors honed. And when they do hone it can be a hit or miss experience. I come to this site quite often to read reviews of razors and brushes but just recently joined so that I can chime in on some questions of my own instead of trying to find a question of the same topic asked by another member. I got everything I need. Razors, strop, brush, soaps, creams and aftershave. The only thing I want is to hone my own blades. I feel like I might be able to put a better edge on my blades then the guys over at Ross cutlery. Great store by the way. If you live in LA it's definitely worth checking out. They carry some nice vintage razors and just recently started carrying a USA brand called the Grim Blades.

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Now I that I know you are experienced at shaving with a straight razor I will let the second part of what I posted stand. Whichever way you do decide to go with the honing set up I am sure you will find it an enjoyable and sometimes frustrating experience. Enjoy the ride.

Bob

Buy both. I would learn on the Norton but the Naniwas are very nice.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Here is my recommendation, hope funds allow it.
325 DMT diamond
1k Chosera
4/8k Norton
12k Super stone

That should be as versatile as it gets.

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Bullet Proof...

Gotta buy a 1K and a DMT lapping plate

The rest:

Naniwa Supers 5K, 8K, 12k
Suehiro 20k

I'd go with Mainaman's suggestions. The 220 is useless, and the Chosera 1k is much, much better than the Norton 1k, which is just plain way too thirsty--you'll spend half your honing time adding water to it.

In the middle, the Norton 4k and 8k are great. The Naniwa 3k I would consider to be preferable to the 5k in this series but either the Naniwa 3k or 5k and the Naniwa 8k are also great hones.

Finishing with the Naniwa 12k will be an easy and consistent hone.

The Suehiro 20k is an excellent next step but it will only provide a subtle improvement over the Naniwa 12k. You only need to buy it if you really want to spend a lot more money on a little more improvement.

If you want a cheap option, get yourself a fine barber home. The 3 line Swaty provides an excellent shave. Just 10 strokes after the 8k. There are others as well. Look out for the wording used on the box of the lakeside hone. I've found that any hone with similar wording is also very fine.

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Originally Posted by Utopian

I'd go with Mainaman's suggestions. The 220 is useless, and the Chosera 1k is much, much better than the Norton 1k, which is just plain way too thirsty--you'll spend half your honing time adding water to it.

In the middle, the Norton 4k and 8k are great. The Naniwa 3k I would consider to be preferable to the 5k in this series but either the Naniwa 3k or 5k and the Naniwa 8k are also great hones.

Finishing with the Naniwa 12k will be an easy and consistent hone.

The Suehiro 20k is an excellent next step but it will only provide a subtle improvement over the Naniwa 12k. You only need to buy it if you really want to spend a lot more money on a little more improvement.

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I am by no means an expert in "Honing" much less the art of using a Straight Razor. when I was a young man (too long ago to remember) My Uncle Ralph taught me how to Hone a knife and then he taught me how to "Hone a Straight Razor" I have not done it or used a Straight Razor for almost 40 plus years.
I have to agree with Utopian and Euclid440. Good Luck. I think we both probably need it. This is a learning curve for sure.

[QUOTE=Utopian;1474717]I'd go with Mainaman's suggestions. The 220 is useless, and the Chosera 1k is much, much better than the Norton 1k, which is just plain way too thirsty--you'll spend half your honing time adding water to it.

The above statement is so true I started with the Norton system (1k,4k and 8k) and the lapping stone. The Norton 1k I have since replaced with a Chosera 1k and for me worlds apart, as I really dont have to water it any where near as much and its a quicker cutter.
Cant say I use the 4k much, nothing against it I just like my Dalmore blue better, the Norton 8k I like and its always in my set-up.

Please bear in mind I am nowhere near as experienced as most of the guys on here, but I know what works for me and I like what Im using.

I learned the fundamentals on the Norton system, now my synthetic set up consists of Naniwas and a Suehiro to finish. If I had to purchase only one set then I would go with Mainaman's suggested set-up.

Jledesma22, if you are in the greater LA area, before you attempt to hone your own razors based solely on what you have experienced by reading and watching videos and judging what Ross cutlery has done, I suggest that you contact one of the below listed and see if you can get one-on-one instruction on honing. They are listed on our Local Help list and are available for 'in person' help.

Euclid440 (Diamond Bar)
10pups (Orange)
RoyalCake (Torrance)
Voidmonster (Oceanside)

PM any one of them. They have frequent mini get togethers and go over a lot of things each time.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Here is my recommendation, hope funds allow it.
325 DMT diamond
1k Chosera
4/8k Norton
12k Super stone

That should be as versatile as it gets.

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This is your best entry point. If you want the convenience of naniwa' spray and go, you can sub the Norton 4/8 for a individual naniwas. But there's nothing they would do that the nortons don't beyond not having to soak.

I think between the two Norton or Naniwa they both do the job it is personal pref or what you can afford at the time just my 2 cents. No matter which way you go the DMT is a must for lapping the stones.

DMT 325 (for lapping)
Chosera 1000
Norton 4/8K

Finish on the 8K until you can get good shaves. When you decide you're ready for a finer finishing stone try to meet up with someone who has a variety of stones and give them all a try to see which edge you prefer. I bought the 12K before trying naturals and I wish I would have saved my money. Not that the 12K is bad, but I just happen to prefer the feel of naturals.

I'll still occasionally use my 12K but I won't finish on it. And coticules can be very hit or miss. Some put an extremely fine edge on a razor while others are still relatively coarse. I've learned naturals can be very difficult to learn and understand and I've only just scratched the surface.

This is just my recommendation and what I would do if I could go back and do it all over again. (I say Chosera over the Norton 1K because I prefer the way it feels and cuts, for me the Norton 1K seems to clog fairly quick when compared to the chosera. And I originally started on a Norton as my 1K stone). I can't comment about the Naniwa 1K-10K because I have never used them.

Try and find a mentor in your area, it will be the best thing you could do to learn honing.