New guy honing on Naniwa 12K SS - big thank you SRP

Guys, I've been SR shaving about 3 months now and it was time to get the razor sent in for a freshening up. Then I saw all the great videos that have been put out there. Lynn, GSSIXGUN, etc. you guys make it look really easy.

Sooo I figured since I only have one SR right now, I didn't want to wait a full month to get it freshened professionally, I'd give it a shot. I ordered a Naniwa 12K SS from SRD, picked up some 3M 800 grit Wet/Dry sand paper from Lowes and a flat ceramic tile and used the the HOWTO from the SRP library on lapping the stone.

Then I followed GSSIXGUN's taping method and part 3 of his Naniwa youtube series and gave it a go. By the way, it's harder than it looks.

While I know I didn't do the best honing job in the world, what I can tell you is that thanks to all the great information available my razor is sharper now. Smoother now. Gave almost no irritation when I shaved with it this morning.

Once my second razor arrives I may send this one out to get professionally done so I know what it's "supposed to be". But in the mean time, guys, thanks for all the time and effort you all put into passing on this art.

-Mick

Sounds like your off to a good start. Watch out for RAD. It will sneak up on you.:beer1:

Good for you :D That is great you took initiative and used the info available to help yourself and it sounds like it paid off. If you keep with it you will get there and if there is someone in your area they may be able to help you out even more with learning touch ups.

With practice and the right stones, you can hone fantastic edges on your razors. The Naniwa 12k is a great finishing hone and will work great for touch ups.

I started honing my own at about three months also. It would be much easier if there was someone close to guide you, but I did not have anyone and it all worked out, just took longer to get consistent without an on-site mentor.

The Nani's are really nice stones, congrats on your first attempt.

The 12k Super/Specialty stone, all the stones in that series, are notorious for loading up. Frequent refreshing/resurfacing is needed and will provide a better honing surface and edge.

A diamond plate for doing so, is a good investment. Chef Knives to Go makes a very nice 400/1000 dual grit 8X3 diamond plate for $35.

It will make your life so much easier and ensure better more consistent edge.

Here is an interesting post, about the versatility of the 12k Super Stone.
(12K Super Stone Chip Removal/Bevel Set)

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Originally Posted by micksonline

it's harder than it looks.

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It's harder than it looks only because you have not yet developed the muscle memory. With practice this will get easier. It's the same as the learning process for riding a bike. What initially is a struggle requiring your full attention will become almost automatic over time.

Refreshing is a great place to start. You may choose to stay with refreshing or you may choose to learn a full progression. What happens to a lot of people is you develop RAD and then you have too many razors to send them all out, so you start to do full progression honing. Then you see all the hones out there and you start to develop HAD. This can be as elaborate or as minimal as you choose. There is no one answer. I hope you continue to have fun and reach your shaving goals. Congratulations on taking a successful new step.

great place to start as you spend more time on the 12k you will get better at it, plus if you haven't had a pro honed razor you should try it to see where your edge falls. good job,, but your comment about taking a month to get one honed is incorrect information unless you sent it out to the space station. I can send a razor from Tennessee to Idaho and have it back in my hands in about 7 days sometimes 6 so lets not make people think that outside services have terrible turnaround times Tc

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

great place to start as you spend more time on the 12k you will get better at it, plus if you haven't had a pro honed razor you should try it to see where your edge falls. good job,, but your comment about taking a month to get one honed is incorrect information unless you sent it out to the space station. I can send a razor from Tennessee to Idaho and have it back in my hands in about 7 days sometimes 6 so lets not make people think that outside services have terrible turnaround times Tc

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Good point tcrideshd. I guess I was thinking of some of the big shops that post two week turn around times for a honing service and I built in a typical 3-5 working day shipping. I've seen a number of people on SRD offer a honing to newbies and that surely would have a short turn around. Thank you for pointing that out.

-Mick