Thread: 12k Waterstone Questions

Hey guys. Sorry if this has been talked over and over,but h in trouble finding the right info and I got a sick baby that needs holding (prayers appreciated).

Difference between Shapton M5 and slightly more expensive Kuromaku? Looks like the Kiromaku is twice as thick and maybe a little larger, but is there anything else?

How do they compare to the Naniwa Superstones?

Naniwa is splash and go and Shaptons need to soak right?

Looking at getting a Naniwa 3k and 8k and wondering what the best stone to use after the 8k would be.

Thanks

You can get a good shave from an 8k edge, once you are used to your hones and a capable honer (not sure on your level of ability)

But if you want to go higher the Naniwa 12k is very well regarded as fine finisher ( I dont have one but I have shaved with a razor that was honed on one) and it was a good shave. I received the razor to test for a guy that was fairly new to honing, I may just get one (dont need one but.......)

I have no experience on the other 2 stones mentioned sorry

Sorry to hear about the sick baby, hope things improve on both fronts.

The 12K Naniwa is a benchmark finisher for the vast majority of straight razor users, buy it you will never regret it.

Prayers sent! Shapton Kuromaku series are splash and go stones. I can't comment on the difference yet of the Naniwa 12k and shapton K 12k because I just ordered it literally today and should get it today! I can say my Naniwa series compared to the Shapton k series is really about feel the Shapton K feel harder than the Naniwa's softer feel. You can't wrong with either series I think.

I don't know much about the M5, from what I have read I would stay away from it.

My synths
Chosera 1k w/base
Shapton pro 1k,5k,8k
Shapton Kuromaku 2k
Shapton glass 1k,4k,8k,16k
Naniwa 12k I had a 1k,5k,8k but sold them because I didn't like stabilizing them in water before each use (yes I agree that is super lazy but it irritated me)

I wouldn't swear to it but I've read that the M5 and Kuromaku series perform the same.

Shaptons are splash and go. In fact water just kinda beads up on the surface. I wouldn't waste any time soaking them.

Don't have naniwa stones to compare the final product to, but comparing my Shapton 1K to a naniwa 800 dshaves hit the nail on the head. Just softer, but they both perform well.

I think them being harder makes them a little trickier to use. Requires less pressure, and fewer laps once you get to the higher stages. It's very easy to create what I would refer to as a 'nippy' edge with the Kuromaku 12K. Very sharp, shaves well, but with that biting uncomfortable keenness. BUT once you get the hone dialed in, it can also create a very smooth and comfortable shaving edge. I would say when you come to your 12k from whatever stone you plan to use prior, first do a test shave to make sure it's in order. Then do 4 or 5 very light pressure laps on the Kuromaku and test it again. Repeat until it stops improving. Most of my blades seriously only require 8-10 laps coming off a Kuromaku 5k stone.

Originally Posted by Marshal

I wouldn't swear to it but I've read that the M5 and Kuromaku series perform the same.

Ditto. Same,same.
The M5 is bonded to a ceramic tile much like the GS stones are bonded to glass. Lees stone, marketed for home use ie less cost