Being new to the world of straights, I recently acquired two already honed. I've got an Illinois Razor 127 strop (has leather and linen) on the way and am looking at something to use to keep the edge when needed. I was wondering if it was worth purchasing a Naniwa 12k for this purpose or another similar hone. The reason I ask is Fendrihan is having a Father's Day promotion until the 17th for 10% off any orders and was looking at the hones they have wondering if, being so new to this, it would be worth the purchase. They also carry DMT, Shapton, belgian coticules and pastes. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction and any suggestions.
Keeping my straights sharp
- Thread starter bmc1979
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I have no experience with the Naniwa 12, but from what I've heard it works fine as a finisher.
I use my coticule as a finisher sometimes. It's better than the synthetic barber hones I've used but not quite as good as my Thuringians. It's also a good option.
Shaptons may also work fine, but again, I've no experience with them and I've heard a lot less reports on them.
I wouldn't get a DMT for this purpose, as much as I like them, there are much better finishing hones out there.
I use my coticule as a finisher sometimes. It's better than the synthetic barber hones I've used but not quite as good as my Thuringians. It's also a good option.
Shaptons may also work fine, but again, I've no experience with them and I've heard a lot less reports on them.
I wouldn't get a DMT for this purpose, as much as I like them, there are much better finishing hones out there.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks for the input. My biggest problem is not knowing what the best route to go will be. I don't own any other hones and this will probably be the only one I buy for a while and only brought out when I feel like the edge needs a bit of a touch up. That is until I get to the point where I feel the need to buy an entire line of stones/hones
Hi,
I use the Naniwa 12k as a finisher and for touch-ups; I think it is a superb stone
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
I use the Naniwa 12k as a finisher and for touch-ups; I think it is a superb stone
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
I have used both the Naniwa 12K and most recently the Shapton 16K for touching up well-honed razors. Either stone will refresh a shave-worn edge very quickly. I always follow with a CrOX stropping, cotton, then horsehide.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks guys. I think I'm leaning this direction. I've heard and read different opinions but think this might be the best way for me to go right now. I considered a barbers hone orgiinally but after reading about the inconsistencies with these, I think I'd rather take the risk with something where I know exactly what I'm getting.
Just about any finisher will serve your stated purpose. However, you need to consider what it is you intend to do long term. If you think you'll want to get into heavy duty honing at some point, prepare for an absolute assault on your finances 
Seriously though, if they are already sharp and you want one stone, you might want to consider a coticule or barber's hone. They are both very economical and will deliver quality edges. You may prefer some sort of compound, but there's no reason to spend more than $100 on a stone (other than you really want it/them
), and this is coming from a guy with 4 digits (crooked numbers) buried in stones. If you like collecting stuff, and really buy into the specific tool for a specific purpose ideal, then you might want to get a high end synthetic line and some stellar natural stones. FWIW, I prefer my $70 coticule to everything else I have (and tried hone by others).
Best of luck with your decision
Seriously though, if they are already sharp and you want one stone, you might want to consider a coticule or barber's hone. They are both very economical and will deliver quality edges. You may prefer some sort of compound, but there's no reason to spend more than $100 on a stone (other than you really want it/them
), and this is coming from a guy with 4 digits (crooked numbers) buried in stones. If you like collecting stuff, and really buy into the specific tool for a specific purpose ideal, then you might want to get a high end synthetic line and some stellar natural stones. FWIW, I prefer my $70 coticule to everything else I have (and tried hone by others).Best of luck with your decision
I know a lot of people recommend 3" stones, but I don't see that as being much of an advantage to be perfectly honest. An X stroke is needed for best results, IMHO. Therefore, a 2" (or 1 1/2") stone is perfect for that.
I'd add also that if you are new to honing . . . .as I am . . . get an old clunker of a shave ready razor . . . use it and bring it back into shape . . . then move on to your things that would hurt your feelings if you ruined them. After about a year and a half of futzing about and getting a couple of old but real nice ebay razors into shape I'm now waiting for delivery of my first couple of new pre-honed razors.
I think the busiest honemeisters these days are working off 3" wide nortons, nanis, and shaptons, so I don't know about "best results" No question in my mind that for a new comer, moving straight back and forth requires less skill than an x pattern, and is less likely to lead to uneven pressure.
You're right about them using big stones. However, I doubt very seriously that the busiest honemeisters are moving their razors straight up and down the stones though. I'd wager that the busiest honemeisters use the stones because that's what they like from a performance standpoint, but I can tell you that I'd choose a 2" version of a stone over a 3" version of that same stone. I'm not a busy honemeister, but that's another story
For a straight up and down stroke to be most effective for a razor, it requires mathmatical flatness of the hone and a perfect razor. Neither of these exist (at least for long) in our world. An X stroke constantly shifts the point of contact, and in good hands is significantly better than the alternative, IME.
Also, I think the idea that a straight up and down stroke reduces uneven pressure is specious. Because of the imperfection of the grind of razors and imperfectly flat hones, in order to get the razor to actually contact the stone, more pressure must be applied.
I'm more interested in getting razors shave ready than "correcting" razors by grinding away on them until they lie perfectly flat or obsessively lapping stones. I've got coticules that have NEVER been lapped, but I'm getting good results. Honing is much more about the hands at the stone than the stone itself
You're right about them using big stones. However, I doubt very seriously that the busiest honemeisters are moving their razors straight up and down the stones though. I'd wager that the busiest honemeisters use the stones because that's what they like from a performance standpoint, but I can tell you that I'd choose a 2" version of a stone over a 3" version of that same stone. I'm not a busy honemeister, but that's another story
For a straight up and down stroke to be most effective for a razor, it requires mathmatical flatness of the hone and a perfect razor. Neither of these exist (at least for long) in our world. An X stroke constantly shifts the point of contact, and in good hands is significantly better than the alternative, IME.
Also, I think the idea that a straight up and down stroke reduces uneven pressure is specious. Because of the imperfection of the grind of razors and imperfectly flat hones, in order to get the razor to actually contact the stone, more pressure must be applied.
I'm more interested in getting razors shave ready than "correcting" razors by grinding away on them until they lie perfectly flat or obsessively lapping stones. I've got coticules that have NEVER been lapped, but I'm getting good results. Honing is much more about the hands at the stone than the stone itself
So why aren't the most sought-after honemeisters using 2" or 2.5" hones, then?
You'd have to ask them to be sure, but I'd suspect it has to do with the fact that they happen to prefer the properties of those stones in terms of cutting and polishing ( 8" length is desirable to many as well). I do know most use an x stroke, though.
I briefly mentioned this in my earlier response. My apologies for not being more clear
EDIT: remember too, I'm sharing an opinion here. I'm not being dogmatic about it (size of the stone that is)
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I was having trouble even touching up my razors until I used a C12k that was 150mm x 50mm. I ended up loving the size so much I ordered a coticule in the same dimensions. I honestly think not only is the narrower hone easier to keep the razor flat on, but it forces you to learn a proper x stroke as Paul said. I'm far far far from even and experienced person with a hone, but this is just something from my own personal experience.
I thought about something else. Some guys like doing circles on 3" stones. I've substituted half-strokes instead of circles on both my 3" and narrower hones (after learning how to hone effectively on my Coticule).
Fendrihan has a regular 10% discount for B&B members, so no need to rush your decision. Just enter B&B in the "coupon code" box.
Details here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=43866&highlight=fendrihan+b&b+discounthttp://http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=43866&highlight=fendrihan+b%26b+discount
Cheers,
Ian
Details here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=43866&highlight=fendrihan+b&b+discounthttp://http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=43866&highlight=fendrihan+b%26b+discount
Cheers,
Ian
- Thread starter
- #18
You sure about that one? I've tried that code before and it doesn't work. Also, I thought I read somewhere on here the only way to get the actual code is to be a contributor. I may be wrong. Anyway, that's another thread.
Honing is much more about the hands at the stone than the stone itself
Great philosophy.
contribute as in: "to reward those who
contribute to the development of the wet-shaving community through
posts and reviews. We do not offer the discount for those with very
few or no posts. If you are an active member; please let us know your
B&B Id and I'll be more than happy to send you the coupon code."
Fendrihan is great to deal with. Just send then an e-mail. They'll get right back to you with a discount code.
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