Thread: How good is the Naniwa Chosera hone?

PJRAGE,

The answer to your question is no.

The Naniwa 12K super is significantly cheaper than the Naniwa 10K Chosera. Based on Lynn's advice, the Chosera is an expensive option.

I was lucky to buy mine before the prices skyrocketed. The price has doubled in the last three months and if you live in England as I do, exchange rates have increased that price significantly more.

These synthetic hones really need to be purchased as a set to get the ultimate results from them. As a set they are an expensive option but for someone who hones for a living it is probably money well spent.

If you just want to touch up razors, a Belgian yellow coticule is probably the best option followed by a ChromiumOxide pasted strop if you need a degree more smoothness. The coticule requires a light steady hand and some practice but once mastered it is a very versatile hone. The Japanese synthetics are not versatile at all. They are just extremely good at doing what they say they will do.

I hope this answers your question.

I'm on the same page with Lynn.
I have been finishing with the Naniwas 12K super for the past few weeks on all my honed razors. Haven't used my Shapton 16K since then. My Karasu has been collecting dust. My Escher is asking for a divorce.
I just finish with 3 swipes on co-ox and bingo every time.
I'm sure I'll encounter a razor anytime soon that will ask for a different approach but for the most of them the Naniwa 12K is the one I recommend to anyone asking me.

You guys are killing me. ...... how will I shave with such substandard edges ? I have to live with edges honed on Nortons, Shapton pros, coticules, Scottish hones, Eschers, Thuringans, Charnleys, Dragon's Tongue, DMTs and Chinese 12k. I don't have any Naniwas !

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I don't have any Naniwas !

Jimmy, resistance is futile!

I know Jimmy, Doesn't it p**S you off. I'm already googling.....I thought I was happy....I stayed away from Japanese hones like bad sushi.....knowing it'd cost me a bundle.....

Originally Posted by JimR

I'm searching and I can't find ANY 12,000 super stones on the Japanese web. Just like I could never find a 15,000 Shapton Pro...

Here is the pro series carried at Japan Woodworker in the USA and here by Shapton USA. What I found interesting is that the 12k isn't shown on the Shapton USA site but the 15k is while on the Japan Woodworker site it is just the opposite. I have both the 12 and the 15 and if they weren't ink labeled on top of the stone you couldn't tell them apart by looking at them. The 12 seems to be softer. A slurry begins after a few strokes with a razor. Same with the 15 but not as quickly or as much. Both are very effective hones IME.

Originally Posted by JimR

So, Lynn, you would recommend the Super over the Chosera?

Interesting. Because the Super is much, MUCH more affordable for me.

Also...slightly off topic, but is there any kind of serial number or mark associated with the 12,000 super? Something starting with two letters and then a series of numbers, like for example IN-2090?

I'm searching and I can't find ANY 12,000 super stones on the Japanese web. Just like I could never find a 15,000 Shapton Pro...

I really like the Super's because they really produce excellent and consistent results. I have not found a Chosera 12K yet to compare with but the 10K's produce virtually the same results. The difference obviously is cost and hardness. The Chosera is a harder stone. The Super feels a little softer and will gouge if used to sharpen chisels, but perfect it seems for the straight razors.

Lynn

Lynn,

Softer? Can you check that please.

If the super is softer than a Chosera it must be like putty?