Thread: 8k Norton/Naniwa 12k ss

I just read on another forum that the jump from a 8k Norton to a Naniwa 12k SS was too big a leap and that it would take hundreds of laps on the SS to get the most out of the stone. Does not sound right to me. Just wondering what the feeling on this is here at the home of straight razor shaving. I have this set up, would it be helpful to get another stone between the norton and the SS?

Assuming the razor was honed to the level to be ready to go beyond the 8k the 'jump' to 12k is a normal progression AFAIC. Shouldn't be any problem at all.

Agree. Doesn't make a lot of sense to put a 10K between those two.

Any thoughts on it taking hundreds of laps on the SS to get the most out of the stone after the Norton? Sounds a bit exsessive (sp?) to me.

Originally Posted by Danricgro

Any thoughts on it taking hundreds of laps on the SS to get the most out of the stone after the Norton? Sounds a bit exsessive (sp?) to me.

Yes, I would say that whoever gave that estimate was exaggerating by quite a ways. Using the TPT, popping hair on your arm ..... if you have any left by then ..... you'll know when you've reached the point of test shaving. Nowhere near that though. Thirty laps might be considered excessive. Try ten and strop and give it a test shave. If that isn't there try ten more and test again. If it still isn't there maybe you needed more on the 8. Just IMO. .

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yes, I would say that whoever gave that estimate was exaggerating by quite a ways. Using the TPT, popping hair on your arm ..... if you have any left by then ..... you'll know when you've reached the point of test shaving. Nowhere near that though. Thirty laps might be considered excessive. Try ten and strop and give it a test shave. If that isn't there try ten more and test again. If it still isn't there maybe you needed more on the 8. Just IMO. .

Thanks, that is exactly what I have been doing. Actually I have been test shaving off the 8k and don't move on to the SS until it shaves well.

I agree with what Jimmy wrote.

Following my experience with sandpaper, I like to keep grit jumps to a minimum in order to be able to most efficiently eliminate the scratches of the lower grit. That said, a general rule of thumb is to have each hone be a double of the previous hone. Thus, a 16k could follow an 8k hone, so the 8k/12k gap is not a problem per that rule. Of course, I an many others have made that 8k/12k jump thousands of times without any problems.

Whoever told you that it would take hundreds of strokes on the SS12k to eliminate 8k scratches should be ignored. There is simply no credibility in that claim.

I was pretty sure what he was posting was wrong and I really wanted to reply post a reply stating so but as someone who has only honed a handful of razors who am I to dissagree. This guy seems to be a very respected member of that forum, or at least a very frequent poster. Stuff like that makes it harder on us new guys. Thank goodness for this forum.

I have a 5k , 8k , and 12k Naniwa stones. I use the 12k as sort of a barber touch up stone.When that fails I go to the 8k then 12 to finish,when that fails it's 5k/12k and beyond that...I send it to Lynn. I not growed up enough yet to do bevels ha ha . Look up honing pyramid in the Wiki. Love my Nanis !

danricgro,

Coming off the Norton 8k, I usually 'need' no more than 15 -30 laps on the Naniwa 12k. (The exact number of laps is dependent on a number of variables)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ