Thread: Shapton Glasstone 16k vs Naniwa 12k

I am looking to purchase the best finishing stone, I am already purchasing Norton 220/1000, 4000/8000. Now I am debating between the Naniwa 12k and the Shapton Glasstone 16k. Please share your thoughts. Which one do I purchase?

the Naniwa SS 12k

Not because it is better, but because it plays better with others, it is also a more versatile hone than the Shapton GS 16k

Both will do the job so either way you can't lose

Originally Posted by gssixgun

the Naniwa SS 12k

Not because it is better, but because it plays better with others, it is also a more versatile hone than the Shapton GS 16k

Both will do the job so either way you can't lose

Hey I heard you had a swaty stone you are looking to get rid of, Rich from Southern Straight Razor said to drop his name to you...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

the Naniwa SS 12k

Not because it is better, but because it plays better with others, it is also a more versatile hone than the Shapton GS 16k

Both will do the job so either way you can't lose

Also I just watched your tape vs no tape video, makes complete sense, I'm going to try the smile technique. I have a Dovo Prima Silver Steel 5/8 full hollow on its way. Everybody keep saying it's not shave ready from the factory. What do you suppose I do to it to make it shave ready? Or should I send it out to be done professionally and then go from there and just maintain it with the swaty stone that hopefully I can get from you...

The explanation of why DOVO, TI and most of the other new production razors are usually NOT shave ready can be seen in their own vids

They set the hard bevel by lifting the spine and using a rotating Platen stone, this sets a high angle bevel say 22° or maybe higher.
They then take a Coti or other Natural and quickly try and smooth that up, anyone that hones razors knows this is a hit ot miss process, it takes a bit more work to pull that bevel together evenly and smoothly..

Every now and then the Razor Gods smile and a "Shave Ready" edge occurs, but I haven't met one yet I can't get a better edge out of

You have the right idea, the best way to learn to hone is actually from the Top-down NOT from the Bottom-up, but nobody listens and they jump right in with both feet

The Naniwa SS 12K is hard to beat at any price and is a very versatile hone in the right hands, a barber's hone like a Swaty is also a good starting point but really good ones are fetching some serious $$$ now ..
Tons of other finishers are out there and they all work..


You owe it to your face to have a Properly honed razor for your first shaves