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Thread: 12k Waterstone Questions

  1. #1
    JP5
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    Senior Member blabbermouth JP5's Avatar
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    Question 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
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    Senior Member alpla444's Avatar
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    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.

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    Senior Member celticcrusader's Avatar
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    The 12K Naniwa is a benchmark finisher for the vast majority of straight razor users, buy it you will never regret it.
    “Wherever you’re going never take an idiot with you, you can always find one when you get there.”

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    Senior Member dshaves's Avatar
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    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)
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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    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.
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    The Great & Powerful Oz onimaru55's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marshal View Post
    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
    dshaves likes this.
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