Naniwa Chosera 10,000 Grit Synthetic Hone.

[English]

Look what I just got in the post.



The question was, are they any good for sharpening razors? The answer is yes.

You can use them how you want, wet or dry. I used mine dry. Bone dry.
Out of the box, the surface is rough. First thing you must do is rub the surface over with the rubbing stone provided.
It creates a fine powdery dust as it flattens cleans and smooths the surface. When it feels smooth, dust it off and you are ready to go. That bit took about 30 seconds.

I took a W&B "Special" razor that I have not used in a while.
Seven laps on 1500 wet and dry paper to give a crisp new V edge.
Fifteen laps on a small 5" slurried yellow coticule.
Five laps on the same coticule with just water.
Five laps on the brand new, bone dry Chosera.
Fifty strops on a leather strop.
Nothing else.
I then had a full close comfortable shave.

The Chosera gives the razor edge that sticky sharp feeling, instantly. It's a great finishing hone. Not cheap but it is good. Very good. I think if I honed for a living, this would be a must have. No water no mess and a shaving sharp edge in seconds without CrOx.

The surface of the hone after the five laps has the tell tale grey showing that metal has been removed.
Not something I'm used to after using my coticule. But for the perfectionist, the grey filings wash off with soap and a quick rubbing with the rubbing stone. The Japanese markings are not going to last long, but that doesn't matter, because they are repeated on one side of the hone and on the other there is a number and some Japanese writing that I don't understand.

I like natural stones and tend to think of synthetics as soulless. This hone has made me question that, because it is so efficient.

This hone is quite superb. I don't think it would disappoint any straight razor user.

[ChrisL]

Wow, given that fact that you've said you're typically not a fan of manufactured hones I NEVER thought I'd see you buy one in this price range, English. I was a bit shocked. It's all good though, don't get me wrong. What made you decide to get one? Where did you buy it from? What did it cost you?

Thanks for the review. Given that I have no control over my HAD, I'm actually sorry to say that I see myself owning one of these at some point. The only thing that's keeping me from owning one now is funding!!

Chris L

[JimmyHAD]

Thanks for the review. Just what I needed, an excuse to experiment with another hone I have never been able to bring myself to hone dry except for a few laps on a Swaty. Maybe if I get one of these I'll give it a try.

[ChrisL]

Thanks for the review. Just what I needed, an excuse to experiment with another hone I have never been able to bring myself to hone dry except for a few laps on a Swaty. Maybe if I get one of these I'll give it a try.

Ah hah!!! What was that just yesterday about only wanting to acquire a Charnley Forest, Nakayama Asagi, one or two others and you're DONE? Yeah right!

I knew it because I know it.

Chris L

[English]

Well Chris, I purchased it from Martin at RasurPur.de. It cost me 110 Euro (that includes tax of 19%) which you don't have to pay. Plus postage of another 20 Euro.It probably a little more to the USA. My feeling is that they are not going to be any cheaper once the word gets around just how good they are.

Martin uses the hone and he spoke very highly of it. I have a lot of respect for my German neighbors and usually if they say something is good, it is an understatement.

I've often had a hankering to purchase one of the top end Japanese synthetics but this is the first one that sounded as if it really delivered the goods and so I bit the bullet.

Just to really upset you, I also purchased a Japanese natural "Shinden Suita" off the internet. It's that Old Schools fault. He keeps shouting about how great the Japanese hones are, I had to try one for myself. But I couldn't afford the best.

I'll review that tomorrow, but it's also a beautiful hone and if your on a budget........

[hi_bud_gl]

Sorry English i have to disagree with you on this stone for 10,000 grit ($269.95) this amount money spend for synthetic hone?you could buy for $30 ,12000+chinese stone ? and does the job

[JimmyHAD]

Ah hah!!! What was that just yesterday about only wanting to acquire a Charnley Forest, Nakayama Asagi, one or two others and you're DONE? Yeah right!

I knew it because I know it.

Chris L

Hey, I'm busted

[Philadelph]

Sorry English i have to disagree with you on this stone for 10,000 grit ($269.95) this amount money spend for synthetic hone?you could buy for $30 ,12000+chinese stone ? and does the job

The price of this hone as opposed to others is a moot point IMO. Every stone does a different job. Why not also argue that people are throwing their money away on $500+ naturals like eschers and J-nats? I won't go on arguing why this price point is valid, but from the looks of it, it does have a reason. I would call it a case of you get what you pay for.

Check out this thread on the very same hone. Pretty lengthy discussion if you are up to reading it!
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...ail-hones.html

P.S.- a big THANK YOU to English for being the first to really go out on a limb, buy this hone, and review it. I have been very interested in the results and it seems like my questions have been answered. If the reviews start flowing in like this one I may have to get one!

[Philadelph]

Well Chris, I purchased it from Martin at RasurPur.com

LOL well when I went to the above website I got quite a surprise lol. It's rasurpur.DE lol

[English]

I deliberately didn't get into the grit argument because I think that the grit size is only part of the equation.

The Chinese 12000 grit hone is good, I agree. I don't think it's as easy to use and I don't think it does as good a job. I do agree that it represents excellent value for money.

Tomorrow, I will review a hone that is probably between 30 and 40,000 grit and costs a bit more than the Chinese hone.