Thread: Minimum kit for honing SRs

Originally Posted by pcm

I started with a Norton 1/4/8k ($138) and a DMT 325 Diasharp ($47). Later I got a Naniwa 12k then 2k and holders. None of those necessary, but we're very helpful.

Being a beginner, I got a cheap USB microscope, so I could check the edge closely and learn about how I was doing (by sharing the photos here).

The problem of being a beginner living in Brazil is that I have to take every opportunity I encounter for getting equipment from the US. This time, a relative will be in NYC for a week, so I'm trying to learn and buy what I can with restricted time and budget. It'll probably be a year or more before I get a new opportunity.

Ideally I could just start with the Norton 4K/8K and in 6 months get a 1K and a finishing stone.

Until yesterday I was set in getting just the Norton 4K/8K, because I wasn't able to find the Naniwa 12K in the condition I needed (i.e. either delivered by Amazon to one of its lockers or sold by a store/person in NJ or NYC).

Today I found the Japanese Shapton 12K, which to my understanding should be equivalent to the American Shapton 15K, grit wise.

I guess the real question is whether the Japanese Shapton (Kuromaku) 12K would be an improvement to finishing the edge over the Norton 8K.

I thank you all in advance for your inputs and opinions!

Originally Posted by strangedata

The problem of being a beginner living in Brazil is that I have to take every opportunity I encounter for getting equipment from the US. This time, a relative will be in NYC for a week, so I'm trying to learn and buy what I can with restricted time and budget. It'll probably be a year or more before I get a new opportunity.

Ideally I could just start with the Norton 4K/8K and in 6 months get a 1K and a finishing stone.

Until yesterday I was set in getting just the Norton 4K/8K, because I wasn't able to find the Naniwa 12K in the condition I needed (i.e. either delivered by Amazon to one of its lockers or sold by a store/person in NJ or NYC).

Today I found the Japanese Shapton 12K, which to my understanding should be equivalent to the American Shapton 15K, grit wise.

I guess the real question is whether the Japanese Shapton (Kuromaku) 12K would be an improvement to finishing the edge over the Norton 8K.

I thank you all in advance for your inputs and opinions!

IF I remember correctly, the Japanese grit ratings are actually finer than American ones. That is to say a Japanese 8K is finer than an American 8K. So in theory a shapton 12K (should be Japanese grit rating) would be an improvement to the Norton 8K. Might want to send Onimaru a PM regarding those hones, IIRC he uses the Shapton series so he should be able to give you proper guidance regarding their system.

Originally Posted by strangedata

Amazon has two Shapton 12K hones: the M5 ($47.88) and the Kuromaku ($60.78).

From reading other threads here, I believe that the Kuromaku is just the Japanese version of the Pro, while the M5 is a thinner, 5mm version of the Pro.
The one I've used was a thin layer bonded to some sort of ceramic base

The thing is, the top review on Amazon says that the M5 isn't 12K at all, maybe a 6K, and that it isn't suitable for finishing a razor.
Total Rubbish . It's identical to the 12 k pro or Kuromaku.
From the review, I'd give odds on that he tried honing on the wrong side or he just got a bad one. I remember when the Shap GS came out there were guys honing on the glass side

My questions are:

- Would these hones work as a replacement for the Naniwa 12K?

Weeellll ....the Shap will need some CrO stropping afterwards for comfort. Can't speak for the Naniwa but a lot of the guys here use it with good results.

- Should I get the Kuromaku or the M5?
The M5 is simply cheaper & thinner. You decide.

- Is the M5 truly a 12K?
Yes it is.

Thanks!

You're welcome

Whizbang, if you start out maintaining your professionally honed razors it will help you learn to hone.

Originally Posted by Hacker7

Whizbang, if you start out maintaining your professionally honed razors it will help you learn to hone.

Yes, that's my plan...in fact, if the tracking info is correct my Dovo 6/8 Best Quality SR should arrive tomorrow...shave ready.

The general consensus was a 1k, 4/8k and a strop should be sufficient to get a razor shave ready. But if...if I wanted some kind of finishing stone what would that one finishing stone look like 10k, 20k, 30k?

The 8 k is a finisher if you learn it. Until you can get the most out of the 8 you won't really be ready for the higher grit hones, stay with the basics and learn your hones before chasing an edge that may or may not be that much better, and to be honest until you really become experienced at Shaving and Stropping, you won't notice any difference any way. Good luck. Tc

Originally Posted by Whizbang

The general consensus was a 1k, 4/8k and a strop should be sufficient to get a razor shave ready. But if...if I wanted some kind of finishing stone what would that one finishing stone look like 10k, 20k, 30k?

Definitely not 10k. No real advantage there but 20k & above or a natural would be the next choice.
Still, as is advised, learn your 8k first.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

The general consensus was a 1k, 4/8k and a strop should be sufficient to get a razor shave ready. But if...if I wanted some kind of finishing stone what would that one finishing stone look like 10k, 20k, 30k?

I've written this so many times and 'IF' the forum's program wouldn't mess with my Microsoft Word I'd just copy and paste time after time what I would like to tell you.

IF YOU CAN'T GET A Clean-Close and Comfortable (CCC) SHAVE OFF OF A 8K HONE. THEN BUYING HIGHER GRIT HONES IS LIKE POURING MONEY DOWN A RAT HOLE!!!

I have a Naniwa 12K and a Zulu Grey and a Gyuangxi and after a lot of testing, I can get a 'SLIGHTLY' smoother shave off of them than my Norton 8K. (Not using a pasted strop).

With that said, 'IF' I were to drop and break the Naniwa, Zulu, or Gyuangxi hones, I could live off of my Norton 8K edge (with no pasted strops) for the rest of my life!

However, 'IF' I were to drop and break my Norton 4/8K I'd eat peanut butter sandwiches day in and day out until I could save up to buy a new one.

YES! I DO FEEL THAT STRONGLY ABOUT GETTING A (CCC) SHAVE OFF OF AN 8K HONE.

There is no 'Magic' in higher grit stones! Learn to get the most out of an 8k and then 'think' about higher grit hones.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Definitely not 10k. No real advantage there but 20k & above or a natural would be the next choice.
Still, as is advised, learn your 8k first.

So now I have a Norton 4K/8k and a Shapton 12K(15k) on my way, with two shave-ready razors for practicing and also a Dovo Bismarck that should have been shave-ready, but in reality tugged a lot.

I thought I could use the 8K side on the Norton and the Shapton 12K to fix its edge, and just the Shapton 12K to refresh the two shave-ready razors.

So you're saying that, at least for now, I sound refresh their edge just on the 8K?

What about the Dovo, should I go first to the 4K? Or to the King Deluxe 1K? (After learning with the practice razors, of course).

Oh, speaking of the King hone , will it be detrimental to the razors mixing three brands like that?

How would you go about honing with these stones?