Thread: Is a barber hone comparable to a naniwa 12k?

So I am wanting to get and new hone, something to to finish off of a Norton 4k/8k. Something I can also keep in the bathroom to quickly refresh a razor. People mention on this site that a barber hone is a great option for quick razor touch-ups in the bathroom. Would a naniwa 12K razor also be good for a quick touch-up in the bathroom since it does not need soaking? Or do these stone serve different purposes?

Originally Posted by DustinNielsen

So I am wanting to get and new hone, something to to finish off of a Norton 4k/8k.

In this case You need to choose NANIWA 12K

You could definitely finish on a nani 12k. You'd want to strop afterwards of course, but the same is true when using a barber hone.

My Swaty barber hones are ~ 9-11k

My generic barber hone is ~5k

There's a lot of variance.

If you are looking for a finisher primarily get the 12k. Plenty of reports of people touching up on it.

If you are just looking for touch ups, get a barber hone. Cheaper and easier to deal with.

If you are just touching up, but investing in the future, depending on the funds get a barber hone now and the 12k later, or the 12k now. Both barber hones and the 12k can accomplish both tasks just the 12k does both more effectively (easier to lap, bigger, etc) but the barber hone is cheaper and smaller (though the grit can be a crap shoot).

If you think about it a high grit stone is a high grit stone (yes there are differences but essentially its all the same)