Asking your opinion

Gentlemen,

I hone my razors, both stainless and carbon steel ones, with Naniwa super stones (set 1K-3K-8K-12K).

Question; instead of 12K stone, what would you use (like barber hone) for refreshing the blade, if you had options like:

- Shapton GS 16K
- Spyderco UF (lapped)
- diamond pasted paddle strop.

Does it make any difference? What should I avoid? Or should I just stay with Naniwa?

Thank you for your time.

Some, including me, feels the diamond gives a rough edge but it also depends on the steel.

I'd agree that diamonds can be harsh. I have used diamonds for 20+ years and have achieved some nice results on almost any edged tool, but I positively detest the results I get on carbon steel razors (and boy have I tried to get good results!)

Perhaps SS will behave differently, but I'm not sure I'm really interested in finding out considering the Naniwa SS 12k does an outstanding job for me.

YMMV perhaps.

I reserve diamond for a few razors that have very hard steel. The .5 diamond isn't too bad but the .25 can be pretty harsh. Personally for finishing I use either a Coticule or an Escher. Now and then I'll use the Shapton 30K.

Why instead of the 12k, especially if you already have it? If that doesn't give you back the edge you had, you may need more laps or a lower start.

I finish all my razors on an Escher or an Asagi (a la Old_School).

IMO, you should use your 12k, a few light strokes, strop & back in the game. :shrug:

Thanks all for your input.

Yes, refreshing the blade with finishing stone works, but soaking that 12K first 10 min. and then doing just 2 or 3 round trips on it... Can I make it quicker with something else?

From what I've heard, you don't want to soak your Naniwa 12k, just get the surface wet. If you soak it, it can swell unevenly and go out of flat. The Norton 4k and 8k need soaking, but I've never soaked my N12k.

None of the Super Stones need to be soaked.

(Neither does the Norton 8k...)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roughkype

From what I've heard, you don't want to soak your Naniwa 12k, just get the surface wet. If you soak it, it can swell unevenly and go out of flat. The Norton 4k and 8k need soaking, but I've never soaked my N12k.

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That's good to know, I just ordered a Naniwa 8K and thought I might try it out since you gentleman always talk about them, thank you:-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

None of the Super Stones need to be soaked.

(Neither does the Norton 8k...)

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I thought they have to :hmmm: Well that's it then, thank you!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by offshoot

Thanks all for your input.

Yes, refreshing the blade with finishing stone works, but soaking that 12K first 10 min. and then doing just 2 or 3 round trips on it... Can I make it quicker with something else?

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I never soak my naniwa, splash and go, that is a HUGE advantage for me over the Nortons.

Also 2-3 rounds trips is not enough, get a loupe and hone on it until you are done.

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I never count strokes, I hone until the scratches from the previous stone are gone.

The naniwa 12k stone should leave a glass like bevel.