What Brand Hones are Best?

considering purchasind HONES...have been considering Naniwa or Shapton... does anyone have a preference or are Norton's still the Standard.... if so why does Lynn not sell them on SRD? Maq

No best brand, all can work well as long as you know how to use them.
Many people also use progressions with stones from different brands.
Naniwa SuperStone line has been very much in trend from what I have seen in threads,because its very consistent and fairly easy to use. No soaking time is also a plus.

Brands of hones are largely personal preference. I love Naniwas... at the moment. I've also used Nortons a bit, but didn't like the feel as much - they feel gritty. Never tried Shaptons, but only heard good things about them.

With regards to what SRD sells, you'd have to contact SRD and ask them directly. I know it's not because Nortons aren't good or because Lynn doesn't like Nortons (I don't know about Don, but I know Lynn still uses Nortons).

the best brand is the one that you have taken the time to learn how to use.

I agree with gugi. You can't really go wrong with Norton,
Naniwa, and Shapton, so pick whichever one grabs you
the most and learn to use them.

- Scott

Having all three of the fore mentioned hones I like the naniwas best. As Gugi and sebell said the important thing is to name your poison, stick with it and learn it. They all do a good job in the right hands.

yup, all of those can be great then you add naturals to the equation if you really want to get lost in choices. It's going to be more about you than about the stones when it comes down to it.

Here is the problem with a thread like this...

There are actually very very few people that have used all these systems on any number of razors...
So really what you are getting is everyone's opinion on what their favorite stone is, and they are all right... as Gugi pointed out the best one is the one You are best at using...


Being one of those few I will tell you point blank that any of the three will get you to a great shave, IF YOU DO YOUR PART !!!!!

or as Jimmy is so fond of saying "It eventually comes down to the Indian shooting the bow, and not the arrows in the quiver" :)