Naniwa 12k vs Spyderco UF 306UF

[ssultan]

Guys it's been >= 3 months of straight shaving...whewww...I can't believe it's been that long and I would NEVER have accomplished this without the B&B community!!

My daily shaver(s) are now at the point where a pasted strop just isn't doing it anymore...need to look into a finishing stone but I really would like to stay away from doing the x-pattern

I currently have the DMT D8EE (extra extra fine) which I believe is equivalent to an 8K stone...and would like to add a larger stone as the finishing touch prior to shaving...and yes...I do have a pasted paddle but enjoy the stones more

What're your thoughts on the Naniwa 12k Vs the newly available 8X3 306 ultra fine spyderco?

I realize both need to be lapped occasionally and I'm in the process of picking up a DMT D8C from a fellow B&B member to do just that...

- Sameer

 

[azmark]

Nope DO NOT lap the Spyderco. It's a complete waste of time since it is already flat. I've been using the whole set of Spyderco stones for a long time and it's never needed it. Just a cleaning with an abrasive sponge every once in a while. I have the 8x2 stones and have come accustomed to them but an 8x3 is pretty expensive from what I heard.

The way I use to touch up my razors with my UF is:

15-20 laps on the UF.
20 on white polishing paste
10 on crox
50 latigo
50 horsehide.

I've never had the pleasure to try an edge from a Nani but I hear they are nice.

 

[holli4pirating]

Of those two, I'd say get the Naniwa 12k.

I'm not sure, but if you are at the point where pastes aren't cutting it anymore, you may need to go back to your 8k and then to the 12k to finish. But play and see what you find.

 

[azmark]

Of those two, I'd say get the Naniwa 12k.

I'm not sure, but if you are at the point where pastes aren't cutting it anymore, you may need to go back to your 8k and then to the 12k to finish. But play and see what you find.

You shouldn't need to go back to an 8k. Usually only use the 8k in progression after a 4/k to buff the scratch pattern from it. But YMMV

 

[ssultan]

Thank you both for the quick replies! Really appreciate your feedback

So...since I don't have any beaters and the bevels are well established on 'most' of my razors...I should be good to go 'indefinitely' with just a finishing hone in the 12k grit range?

That is what I'm leaning towards myself...for the razors that are starting to tug and not responding too well to the pastes...I was leaning towards hitting a finishing hone and then moving forward through the pastes to the strop...

Is the Naniwa wide enough not to require an x-pattern? From what I've read...it does not need to be soaked, just wet on top ? I really like the fact that the spyderco 8x3 hone can be used dry...but from what I've read...it cuts really slow?

- Sameer

 

[professorchaos]

Naniwa! They are great hones, easy to use and leave a bright, smooth edge. Often I use my 10K instead of the J-Nats, Coticule and Escher.

 

[ssultan]

Oh - Sir Henry

Glad you jumped in...did I mention to you that I look up your SOTD shot daily to cheer me up...the drool helps with the coffee to wake me up

 

[ssultan]

I've pored over every mention of the naniwa and spyderco in this forum...as well as on SRP...so far it seems that most of the members are swinging towards the naniwa's...

Henry...do you have to do the x-pattern on the naniwa 12k?

 

[professorchaos]

Oh - Sir Henry

Glad you jumped in...did I mention to you that I look up your SOTD shot daily to cheer me up...the drool helps with the coffee to wake me up

Thank you!

I've pored over every mention of the naniwa and spyderco in this forum...as well as on SRP...so far it seems that most of the members are swinging towards the naniwa's...

Henry...do you have to do the x-pattern on the naniwa 12k?

The Naniwa's are wide enough that you don't need to do an x-pattern; for most razors heel leading is entirely sufficient. You'll need to use it for longer razors, such as old Greaves, Livi customs and Henckels 8/8s. Nonetheless, I tend to mix x-pattern strokes and heel leading strokes just in case the hone isn't perfectly flat.

 

[ssultan]

Thanks Henry...I'm leaning towards the naniwa after your feedback. Azmark...you were right...the spyderco 8x3 is quite pricey!

 

[azmark]

Thanks Henry...I'm leaning towards the naniwa after your feedback. Azmark...you were right...the spyderco 8x3 is quite pricey!

How much is the 8x3? I can't find it

I always stare at the Nani when I'm scouring for my next purchase but my wife and I are sharing paypal accounts now so

I'm sure you can't go wrong with either.

 

[ssultan]

Sigh...getting both would put me in the garage for a looong while...she's been quite upset since I bought the Le Grelot

 

[professorchaos]

Surely she doesn't want the money you spent on the Le Grelot to go to waste. The only thing more useless than a dull straight razor is an unloaded gun .

 

[azmark]

Surely she doesn't want the money you spent on the Le Grelot to go to waste. The only thing more useless than a dull straight razor is an unloaded gun .

Henry should be a mediator for married couples

 

[ssultan]

The advice I get from you guys is absolutely priceless

 

[treydampier]

I have had both of those hones and the Naniwa 12K is much more consistent with my re-scales and restores. I was professionally honing on another site, and I use the Naniwa over the Spyderco and the Chinese natural because I was told about the Naniwa's consistency. I am not taking away from the spyderco, but I found mine to need lapping and also found the consistency to be 70% or less over a spectrum of razors.
Just my opinion.
BTW- I hear that the Naniwa 10K is also an outstanding finishing hone as well and that there is little difference if you are using pastes.

 

[professorchaos]

Henry should be a mediator for married couples

My girlfriend laughed at that remark too.

 

[ssultan]

Thanks guys...my mind is made up. Just posted in the WTB forum to see if a member wanted to pass on their Naniwa my way prior to buying a new hone.

 

[ssultan]

Didn't get much of a response to my WTB posting for the Naniwa....following through on the excellent advice from you guys and placed an order through SRD.

 

[FiveOhNine]

Didn't get much of a response to my WTB posting for the Naniwa....following through on the excellent advice from you guys and placed an order through SRD.

Good plan. I think people who have them tend to like them, so would not be all that willing to part ways. I'd take that as an unintended endorsement.