naniwa 5k vs norton 4k...is this the only benefit?

[OutlawSkinnyD]

is the only benefit of naniwa stones over norton stones that they are better priced and dont need to be soaked?

when i say only i dont mean it in an understating way, i just wanna make sure im not missing anything.

also if i was to get a naniwa (they are so well priced why the hell not) would i get a 3k or a 5k to compare with a norton 4k?

ive read so many posts about norton 4k stones being so pourous and such a bitch to maintain. but a post/review is only as good as the person who wrote it. (hhhahahaha i read that one where that idiot got banned hahahahaahahha). bc if thats the case id rather use a stone that i just need to lap everyone and again, spray some water on and go.

[gugi]

Well, I share the dislike of norton's porousness yet I haven't been banned yet And for the right amount I could disclose the name of another mod who's in the same camp....

I don't know what other advantages you'd expect. To me it's a hone, it removes steel, I care how fast it does it, what is its feedback, and how much pain it is to maintain. Oh, and the price of admission is somewhat important.
If these are your first hones to you may be of importance the people who are familiar with a hone in case you need honing advice. Right now the norton definitely has an edge there and I'm sure Lynn and Don will help as much as their time allows with the new stones.

Just as I'm writing this my norton is being replaced by 5 & 8 naniwas - amazing ain't it