Thread: The almighty Naniwa 12k

Well, here's a chance to say "I told you so."

I recently added a Naniwa 12k to my collection of hones. Previously, I was using a progression of Naniwa 1k, 3k, 8k, and then finishing on a thuringian or a coticule. I was able to shave off of every stone, even the 1k, so I knew I was setting the bevel properly. Shaving off of the 8k gave me decent shaves, although a bit harsh. Adding a coticule as a finisher was hit or miss, depending on the razor it seemed. A thuri finish gave me a nice smooth edge, but not matter the finisher, and even off the 8k, I found the edge was never quite keen enough - I often would need to skip or abbreviate the ATG pass, especially on my upper lip.

Why did I wait so long to get a 12k? Well, they're really not very sexy when compared to a natural stone. Anytime I had a bit of cash and I was given a choice between a natural or the 12k, I just could never get excited about the 12k.

What changed? I almost took the plunge on an entry level Jnat, and had even chosen a vendor. But after discussing honing with the vendor, he told me I wasn't ready for a Jnat yet. Well, when a sales person tells me not to buy something of theirs, I listen. I figured he was probably right, and that I had more basics to master. So I spent that money on the Naniwa 12k instead.

And now, I'm getting the keenness I wanted. I'm getting fantastic shaves from the razors I've honed myself. I'm still experimenting with the progression, sometimes using the 12k by itself, sometimes using it before a natural finisher, sometimes using it after a natural finisher. I've been using CrOx as well, but I'll experiment with taking that away soon. Since I knew the 12k is fast, so far my method has been to to 10 laps, examine the edge, and do 10 more if necessary, etc. It's amazing how much a difference 10 laps makes with this stone!

There is an amazing amount of information about this particular stone on this forum (as well as all the other stones I've bought), and it's been an incredible resource while teaching myself to hone. I really feel like I've reached a new chapter in my straight razor journey, thanks to all of you!

Good for you. You finally came around to the 12K Naniwa so no need for an I told you so. Enjoy

Bob

Now put your thoughts to the 20k. Cost is a lot more and you use it a lot less. But that is keen!
Congrats on getting the 12k. It is a great finisher.

I’m only doing synthetics. I prefer the edges from synthetic stones. I get consistency and keenness. And, if it’s done right, smoothness. The 12k is a part of that for me. And it’s DOES cut fast. 5-10 passes and it’s done it’s job.

I've been at this over 5 years and I'm still leaning things about my Nani 12k.

Yep-Every honer should have the Nani 12 in his arsenal of rocks. To me it is the gateway to all the naturals, or just a great finisher itself depending on razor and skill of the honer.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Now put your thoughts to the 20k. Cost is a lot more and you use it a lot less. But that is keen!
Congrats on getting the 12k. It is a great finisher.

oh boy, not quite yet!!

Originally Posted by joelkerr

Shaving off of the 8k gave me decent shaves, although a bit harsh. Adding a coticule as a finisher was hit or miss, depending on the razor it seemed. A thuri finish gave me a nice smooth edge, but not matter the finisher, and even off the 8k, I found the edge was never quite keen enough - I often would need to skip or abbreviate the ATG pass, especially on my upper lip.

Food for thought, but this is a bit of a red flag for me. 8K Is typically seen as the low bar for a comfortable shave. Which means unless your beard is very thick and made of tree trunks, it should be possible to get a close, clean, and comfortable 2 pass shave off the 8k. I would put some more focus at this level, you might be surprised how much your honing improves. I know I was when I put the naturals up for a bit and stopped looking beyond 8K for what I was missing.

Which isn't to imply that going beyond 8K is bad, far from it. But if you're not wringing everything you can out of that stone who knows what you're missing out on with the Thuri, or even the Naniwa 12K.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Food for thought, but this is a bit of a red flag for me. 8K Is typically seen as the low bar for a comfortable shave. Which means unless your beard is very thick and made of tree trunks, it should be possible to get a close, clean, and comfortable 2 pass shave off the 8k. I would put some more focus at this level, you might be surprised how much your honing improves. I know I was when I put the naturals up for a bit and stopped looking beyond 8K for what I was missing.

Which isn't to imply that going beyond 8K is bad, far from it. But if you're not wringing everything you can out of that stone who knows what you're missing out on with the Thuri, or even the Naniwa 12K.

You're absolutely right, it's been a while since I concentrated on the 8k, it would almost certainly help to go back to it. The reason I moved on, however, is that even with blades that came back from professional honemeisters, I was not always able to complete a comfortable 3-pass BBS shave, and the ATG on the upper lip was always the most problematic part. That last little bit essentially serves as my personal litmus test as to whether or not I'm 100% satisfied with an edge.

With my own honing, I only moved on past the 8k when I was able to pretty consistently get what I would describe as a 2-pass DFS. But I'm one of those guys who is always chasing the BBS, hence the thuris and now the 12k.

Originally Posted by joelkerr

You're absolutely right, it's been a while since I concentrated on the 8k, it would almost certainly help to go back to it. The reason I moved on, however, is that even with blades that came back from professional honemeisters, I was not always able to complete a comfortable 3-pass BBS shave, and the ATG on the upper lip was always the most problematic part. That last little bit essentially serves as my personal litmus test as to whether or not I'm 100% satisfied with an edge.

With my own honing, I only moved on past the 8k when I was able to pretty consistently get what I would describe as a 2-pass DFS. But I'm one of those guys who is always chasing the BBS, hence the thuris and now the 12k.

Ah, gotcha. There's always the fact that different people's faces like different things as well. At 8K I can shave wtg, xtg, and atg anywhere I need to and moving on to a natural is just to make the shave more gentle on my skin. It's sensitive and even after nearly 5 years of straight shaving won't tolerate more than 2 passes.