Thread: Hones to start with?

Originally Posted by Audels1

...What ever I buy will most likely be the only one I ever have. I am a creature of habit Once I get used to something I seldom ever change...

Enter HAD.

I have a few synthetics and a buttload of naturals now. Synths are easier to learn on and at one time I preferred them but then I found a few Arks I inherited from my Dad. I spent some time and study learning to use them out of sentimentality and discovered just what a good Ark progression can produce. Now I would trade every synth I have for one good Ark. A vintage washita, a hard Ark, a trans and a good surgical black all lapped on one side and burnished smooth on the other side will take you from bevel set all the way to the sky's limit. It's all about technique.

The Norton 4k/8k is fine but if you are insistent on sticking with the same boring thing then get the Naniwas or even a King combo. You'll thank yourself if you ever find out the difference.

About 15 years ago, I started with and am still going with 1K/4K/8K nortons. Shortly after I added a 6x2 coticule. Used that for myself as well as when I was honing for an online vendor and a barbershop. A few years later, I added a CrO2 pasted balsa. That's it. They did and still do serve me well. I'm still the limiting factor in terms of results.

There are other rocks I jones for like a 1K chosura or 12K Naniwa, but I don't need them. Sure I'd like them a lot, but I don't need them.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I have that same 1K, 4k/8k set of Nortons And there is nothing wrong with them. They are inexpensive and they work just fine. But I also have a 1K/6K King that again was my father's and in particular the 1k side is just so much nicer than the Norton. Although I will have to admit that once you go on to the next stone it really doesn't matter very much how "nice" it was as long as it did what it was supposed to do. Mainly I say get the Naniwas If that is the only stone set you ever intend to get.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

Oh, don't get me wrong. I have that same 1K, 4k/8k set of Nortons And there is nothing wrong with them. They are inexpensive and they work just fine. But I also have a 1K/6K King that again was my father's and in particular the 1k side is just so much nicer than the Norton. Although I will have to admit that once you go on to the next stone it really doesn't matter very much how "nice" it was as long as it did what it was supposed to do. Mainly I say get the Naniwas If that is the only stone set you ever intend to get.

Ok when you say Naniwa's I assume you mean the Super stone (SS) If so I could get a full 1k,3k, 8k and 12k for around $200. I don't see much of a difference in cost from the Norton's

Originally Posted by Audels1

Ok when you say Naniwa's I assume you mean the Super stone (SS) If so I could get a full 1k,3k, 8k and 12k for around $200. I don't see much of a difference in cost from the Norton's

I originally bought 220/1k - 4k/8k Norton set and a 12k Naniwa SS.

The Nortons were great, no complaints except I find soaking them a drag.

I recently bought 1K - 3K - 8K Naniwa SS and another 12k Naniwa SS and I love them. As long as you get the Super Stones the Naniwas don't need soaking, just splash and go.

I do also like the feel of the Naniwas more than the Nortons.

The Naniwa Super stones come in two thicknesses, I have the thicker ones because they feel more substantial and less delicate. If you do get Naniwas make sure they are super stones, the traditional ones need soaking I believe.

The real advantage of both the Nortons and the Naniwas is that the results are consistent and loads of the experienced guys here have them so there is a lot of help available, the naturals stones are different from one to another so it is much harder for anyone to help you because their results will be different to yours.

Originally Posted by STF

I originally bought 220/1k - 4k/8k Norton set and a 12k Naniwa SS.

The Nortons were great, no complaints except I find soaking them a drag.

I recently bought 1K - 3K - 8K Naniwa SS and another 12k Naniwa SS and I love them. As long as you get the Super Stones the Naniwas don't need soaking, just splash and go.

I do also like the feel of the Naniwas more than the Nortons.

The Naniwa Super stones come in two thicknesses, I have the thicker ones because they feel more substantial and less delicate. If you do get Naniwas make sure they are super stones, the traditional ones need soaking I believe.

The real advantage of both the Nortons and the Naniwas is that the results are consistent and loads of the experienced guys here have them so there is a lot of help available, the naturals stones are different from one to another so it is much harder for anyone to help you because their results will be different to yours.

If I were to do it all over again, I would like to try the Naniwa SS. Splash and go really appeals to me. That being said, I'm not rushing out to replace anything and that's based on other people's reports, not my direct experience with them.

There are a lot of option with midrange and “Finish stones” in the 6-12k range.

There are no perfect or magic stones.

The Super Stones, especially the thin ones are an entry level stone. They can produce good edges and the 12k was THE finisher for many for years.

But all Super Stones load up, if you are willing to deal with that issue and know how, you can get excellent edges from them. And there are better edges in the wild, much better edges.

Bite the bullet and buy a stone, if you stick with honing, you will probably go to paste, film, or a natural finisher after your synthetic finisher of choice, so it really does not matter.

The trick is learning the stones you have, and you will only do that by honing.

I once bough a pair of Ivory Sheffield razors from an old guy, that honed them on a worn Harbor Freight diamond plate, finished them on a barber hone and stropped them on a thrift store leather belt. They were nice shaving edges.

I think he knew how to hone…

Are SHAPTON pro stones worth looking into? https://www.amazon.com/SHAPTON-Kurom.../dp/B01FYEYKE8

Originally Posted by Audels1

Are SHAPTON pro stones worth looking into? https://www.amazon.com/SHAPTON-Kurom.../dp/B01FYEYKE8

They are fine for pre finishing and a good value. Most people regard the SP1500 equivalent to a Chosera 1k. The SP12k leaves a bit to be desired when compared to a Naniwa 12k if that is your final stone IMO.

Originally Posted by Audels1

Are SHAPTON pro stones worth looking into? https://www.amazon.com/SHAPTON-Kurom.../dp/B01FYEYKE8

Certainly yes. There is more than one way to complete this journey...

That is a decent set. I use the 1.5K as my bevel setter, but the 1K should do the job as well... you'll just need to spend more time on the 5K.