Thread: Which 1k to buy: Chosera vs Superstone?

I have had my Chosera 1000 for about 5 years and love it, Just today my "Professional 3000" arrived, it is the new version of the Chosera. It is thinner (although thicker than a SS) and lacks all the Japanese writing stamped into it, which I don't like, for some reason I loved the stamping on my 1k, even though its mostly gone now.

As many others have said, if your restoring razors then it comes in handy, if not get the SS, in the end it will be the same thing just slower.

One thing that needs to be noted is that most of the reviews and comparisons on here are between the older series of Naniwa Hones

ie:

It was Chosera vs Super Stone

It is now Professional vs Specialty Stone and there are differences, most of them to the Specialty Stone series, making them a bit better then the older Super Stones..

Just tossing the monkey wrench of truth into the convo

Both work and they work well


Another thing to keep in mind is the "Speed" which experienced honers are saying is Great that is because they are experienced honers and speed is a good thing.. Speed to a newer honer is not really a good thing in fact it is usually the exact opposite


Just giving you perspective, the good news is that there is no "Bad" choice here, they are both excellent hones

I'll add to the fun.

The Naniwa Traditional 1K is also a very good choice. Feel is in between the firmer Professional and the Softer Selective. Results are simply excellent. I love my Chosera's but have been through two of these Traditional's and they are good!!

Originally Posted by Lynn

I'll add to the fun.

The Naniwa Traditional 1K is also a very good choice. Feel is in between the firmer Professional and the Softer Selective. Results are simply excellent. I love my Chosera's but have been through two of these Traditional's and they are good!!

Now that is interesting. I would not have guessed the cheapest of their 3 lines would get such a positive review.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I'll add to the fun.

The Naniwa Traditional 1K is also a very good choice. Feel is in between the firmer Professional and the Softer Selective. Results are simply excellent. I love my Chosera's but have been through two of these Traditional's and they are good!!

Lyn,
When you say "Softer Selective," I can't find that stone. Are you referring to "Speciality" stone?

Originally Posted by Lynn

I'll add to the fun.

The Naniwa Traditional 1K is also a very good choice. Feel is in between the firmer Professional and the Softer Selective. Results are simply excellent. I love my Chosera's but have been through two of these Traditional's and they are good!!

And one more question for Lyn -- the Traditional appears to need soaking in water, unlike the other Naniwas mentioned, if I'm reading the Naniwa website correctly -- am I right on that?

I am. Sorry for the confusion.

Originally Posted by 400E

Lyn,
When you say "Softer Selective," I can't find that stone. Are you referring to "Speciality" stone?

I don't soak mine. I just wet it a few times until the water quits absorbing into the stone and starts to pool on the surface.

Originally Posted by 400E

And one more question for Lyn -- the Traditional appears to need soaking in water, unlike the other Naniwas mentioned, if I'm reading the Naniwa website correctly -- am I right on that?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

One thing that needs to be noted is that most of the reviews and comparisons on here are between the older series of Naniwa Hones

ie:

It was Chosera vs Super Stone

It is now Professional vs Specialty Stone and there are differences, most of them to the Specialty Stone series, making them a bit better then the older Super Stones..

Just tossing the monkey wrench of truth into the convo

Both work and they work well


Another thing to keep in mind is the "Speed" which experienced honers are saying is Great that is because they are experienced honers and speed is a good thing.. Speed to a newer honer is not really a good thing in fact it is usually the exact opposite


Just giving you perspective, the good news is that there is no "Bad" choice here, they are both excellent hones

This is true, all my Chosera and Super Stones are the older stones. I have tried the new Super Stones/Naniwa Sharpening Stone/Specialty Stones, and they feel just a bit harder, but perform much the same.

Here is a good link, to the whole line up and the confusing naming conventions. To add to the confusion they sell smaller stones under a different name. Clicking on the stones gives more information on each series.

This quote is from the FAQ

Q. What's the difference between the Naniwa Sharpening Stones and the Naniwa Specialty Sharpening Stones?
A. The make up of the stones is the same. The difference is that the Naniwa Specialty Sharpening Stones are half the thickness of the Naniwa Sharpening Stones.

I do need to replace my old, thin 12k Super Stone and see they now sell a full ¾ in 12k, (Naniwa Sharpening Stone series.)

Really great information -- thanks to all who have taken the time to respond to my honing newbie questions!

And sorry Lynn for shorting you an "N". Always good to get people's names right!

For what it's worth, I am now really tempted to go with the Traditional, based on Lynn's comments. Doesn't hurt that it's cheaper, though not the main reason I'd pick it.