Thread: question for Naniwas SS users

So i have a 3k, 8k, 12k Naniwa SS. been trying my luck honing my Dovo the past two days. Nones with the circle method on teh 3k then going to the 8 and 12 and stropping.

I feel like i wish i had a 1k to start the process on. So I may go ahead and get me the Naniwa SS 1k.

My question is, if I decide to go to the 1k, would i be better off going from 1k to 5k to 8k, or would going from 1k to 3k to 8k still work plenty fine?

Also do you gents feel it necessary for me to get the 1k, or do i just need to make sure i do enough work on the 3k stone?

thanks for any input.

On a side note I did 2 honings of my dovo with test shaves after each. yesterday and today. Now i cant get a good hanging hair test to work for these after i am done stropping, but i did feel that the shaves were more than satisfactory with a smooth glide. I am sure it will get better and i will be able to get sharper blades as i practice more.

Either progression will work, I use 1, 2, 5, 8, 12...though the 5k is a different Japanese synthetic, I wasn't crazy about the 5k naniwa. If you want to restore any razors down the line you will need the 1k to set new or reset damaged bevels. If not, then what you have now is plenty. Don't go by the HHT, I have had a blade that would pass it at 1k and fail at 5k, but pass after the 12k...it's just really unreliable for me personally. Search the thumb nail test and thumb pad tests, use these after your 3k if it passes, do 5 or 6 more laps, move to the 8k repeat, go to your 12k do about 10-15 laps, DO NOT test again, go to stropping then test with shaving, if not up to snuff, go back to 12k for 5 more, strop, shave test, still not good, drop back to 8k do 5 laps, 10 laps on 12k, strop, shave...rinse repeat

Originally Posted by tiddle

Either progression will work, I use 1, 2, 5, 8, 12...though the 5k is a different Japanese synthetic, I wasn't crazy about the 5k naniwa. If you want to restore any razors down the line you will need the 1k to set new or reset damaged bevels. If not, then what you have now is plenty. Don't go by the HHT, I have had a blade that would pass it at 1k and fail at 5k, but pass after the 12k...it's just really unreliable for me personally. Search the thumb nail test and thumb pad tests, use these after your 3k if it passes, do 5 or 6 more laps, move to the 8k repeat, go to your 12k do about 10-15 laps, DO NOT test again, go to stropping then test with shaving, if not up to snuff, go back to 12k for 5 more, strop, shave test, still not good, drop back to 8k do 5 laps, 10 laps on 12k, strop, shave...rinse repeat

great...you saved me some money. i dont plan to restore...just keep my 2 razors in shaving condition. I really enjoyed trying to hone...well i shouldnt say try because i did succeed. But i dont see myself getting into restores or anything like that or honing for others so maybe the 1k really wont be needed.

thanks much.

For me,the best test is a shave. I don't even bother with HHT or the like I just shave. I used to keep another shave ready razor handy just in case the edge was not where it needs to be.
You may not ever need a 1K but if you do, I would opt for the Chosera 1K. I use the 1K and then follow the same progression you use and get very nice results. I also add in a few laps on Crox with tape still on the spine. The edge comes out very smooth and sharp.

Just my 2cents.

Imo you don't really need the 1k if you aren't honing a lot of damaged razors. The 3k cuts just fine with a bit of slurry, I used it that way a lot of times. If you want to buy a 1k stone, than don't buy the 1k Naniwa, go for something else (Norton, Chosera, Shapton, etc.). The constant clogging and warping doesn't make it the best solution for heavy steel lifting.

Originally Posted by jeness

Imo you don't really need the 1k if you aren't honing a lot of damaged razors. The 3k cuts just fine with a bit of slurry, I used it that way a lot of times. If you want to buy a 1k stone, than don't buy the 1k Naniwa, go for something else (Norton, Chosera, Shapton, etc.). The constant clogging and warping doesn't make it the best solution for heavy steel lifting.

thanks. I think until i i do somoething to my razor that requires major bevel reset, that the 3k will be just fine. so far its worked on my dovo...