Thread: naniwa stones

Originally Posted by mainaman

Personal experience. I know they are resin bound and I know they do not need soaking. If you are willing give it a try and see if you will find a difference in performance, it will not hurt the stone whatsoever.

So how did you compare soaked to unsoaked? You say it won't hurt the stone, but Lynn and Naniwa both say it's a bad idea - how do you know it will not hurt hte stone whatsoever?

Sort of on .... or maybe off topic... I heard that it will hurt the Shaptons too. If I understand correctly the binder will be weakened and maybe begin to dissolve ?

I don't know about supplies in the US, or how costly it would be to import them, but there are several combo superstones available in Europe.
220/1000
800/5000
2000/5000
3000/8000
I assume it's OK to post links for those interested. If it's not appropriate, I apologise.
Japanese Waterstones: Naniwa
Naniwa Super Stones Japanese waterstones

Jimmy,
You said somewhere that you have shaved off the 5k, and often do a 3k/5k pyramid before test shaving and/or finishing.
Would you say the 5k is roughly equivalent to the Norton 8k, or would a few laps on the Norton improve the edge?
I'm considering getting the 2k/5k combo above, and was wondering what I might still need after that combination. Could I go straight to my Nakayama for example, as I have done after the Norton?
I already have a Norton 4k/8k but I never liked the feeling of the 4k side, so I want to replace it. The 8k side feels nice though, after I lapped through a rough patch at the top following Lynn's advice.

i can answer this, the naniwa 5000 super isn't equivalent to the norton 8000, it's a lot more like a 4000 norton. You can certainly shave off that hone if you're good at using it, but it won't be too pleasant, except on few very tough steel razors.
i have not mixed the naniwa and norton, so i'm not sure how it'll work, but i've had poor results switching between different brands on the 1000 grit level, the switch caused the edge to deteriorate (microchipping) and it needed extra work to get it back to where it ought to be.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

So how did you compare soaked to unsoaked? You say it won't hurt the stone, but Lynn and Naniwa both say it's a bad idea - how do you know it will not hurt hte stone whatsoever?

the soaked stone feels a bit more responsive I do not know if that makes sense. as far as damaging I have been using my 10k for about a year now, and the 5k for a few months. I know of other people that sharpen knives on an everyday basis do the same and no complaints so far.
I am not advocating soaking just sharing my experience.

Originally Posted by Pete_S

You can get the thick ones in the US at this site:

Naniwa Super Stones

That guys really good to deal with, he answers questions quickly.

I didn't know there was another place to get them in the US, chefsknivestogo claims to be the only US distributor.

I have honed about 3,000 razors on the thin ones and still going. You might want to consider this when you consider your purchases. I also like the stands on the thinner ones, but the thicker stones will fit into other holders or on bench pads and work fine.

Lynn

Originally Posted by gugi

i can answer this, the naniwa 5000 super isn't equivalent to the norton 8000, it's a lot more like a 4000 norton.

Thanks for the info Gugi. What about jumping from the 5k to the 12k. Too much of a jump, or just a bit of extra time needed on the 12k? I will get some of the Naniwa combo stones some time. I just don't know which one (or two) I should get.
The Norton 8k is the only synthetic stone I have so far that I actually like, so there is a big, empty hole at the low end of my progression. Thats why I think the 2k/5k combo might suit me. The feel of the hone in use is a major consideration for me.
Sorry for the hijack, but I just didn't see the point in starting yet another Naniwa thread.

Originally Posted by gugi

i can answer this, the naniwa 5000 super isn't equivalent to the norton 8000, it's a lot more like a 4000 norton. You can certainly shave off that hone if you're good at using it, but it won't be too pleasant, except on few very tough steel razors.
i have not mixed the naniwa and norton, so i'm not sure how it'll work, but i've had poor results switching between different brands on the 1000 grit level, the switch caused the edge to deteriorate (microchipping) and it needed extra work to get it back to where it ought to be.

I am going by this grit chart with equivalents between the Nortons and Japanese stones seen in this post here. When I started trying pyramids with the Shapton pro 5/8 it seemed as if I was taking forever to achieve any results. Upon reading the grit chart I tried the Shapton pro 2k (they don't have a 3k in the pro) and the 5k as a pyramid. The difference was astonishing. In no time I was sharp and it shaved well. Polishing on the Shapton 8k made it even better.

So I applied this to the Naniwas and in my own personal experience, honing quite a few razors on the Naniwa 3/5 and test shaving, I've found the result to be a quite comfortable and smooth shave for my particular face but of course YMMV. If anyone has the same setup please give it a try and report your impressions. I would love to find if others have the same results or perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones with a soft beard.

Very cool with those combo's - I had no idea they existed.

What does "more responsive" mean? More feedback? Quicker cutting? Either of those would suggest to me that the binder is breaking down so there is more feedback as the razor eats into the hone and faster cutting because more fresh grit is exposed.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Very cool with those combo's - I had no idea they existed.

What does "more responsive" mean? More feedback? Quicker cutting? Either of those would suggest to me that the binder is breaking down so there is more feedback as the razor eats into the hone and faster cutting because more fresh grit is exposed.

better feed back imo.
It would suggest the binder is breaking down faster if slurry was formed which is not the case.