Naniwa Chosera 1k or Naniwa SS 1k

[Acmemfg]

I'm going to be replacing my Norton 4k/8k and King 1k with different stones. I currently have a Naniwa SS 12k and really like how it performs. An added advantage is the ability to put it to work without having to go through soaking (often I find myself doing things like honing on a spur of the moment).

So, after I unload the aforementioned stones, I plan on picking up either a Chosera or SS in 1k and SS stones in either 3k/5k combo or separate 5k and 8k configurations.

Biggest question is what (if any) significant advantage is there to the Chosera over the SS 1k? Also, is the 5k/8k a better set up than the 3k/8k? Regardless of what the mid-range setup will prove to be, I will still have the Naniwa SS 12k a finishing stone. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Steve56]

The Chosera is a harder magnesia based hone and one advantage is that it doesn't dish as easily and therefore need to be flattened as often as the softer resin based Super Stone, at a stage when the hone is heavily used with more pressure. My 600 Chosera bubbles for 15-20 minutes in water though!

If I were doing it over, I'd do a 1k Shapton Pro. Harder magnesia based but splash and go.

Cheers, Steve

 

[Brooksie967]

I'd take a 3k8k over the 5k8k, just what I like to use.

You could easily buy a coticule and go from 1k to coticule to 12k though.

The Chosera feels more natural than the SS. I find the SS to feel soft and almost spongy while the chosera feels hard and natural.

It's not recommended to soak chosera stones, and I use them as splash and go with no issues. 10 seconds under the tap is plenty and a glass of water or a spray bottle next to you is all you need.

 

[Gamma]

1k Shapton is roughly equivalent to an 800x Chosera. It is not a 'hard' stone.

The 1.5k Shapton is harder, and finer - but it still leaves a more pronounced scratch pattern than the 1k C.

All Choseras are splash and go - you can soak them but you don't need to.

I have both Shaptons and the 1k C, and I use them side by side frequently - To pick one, it's the Chosera - hands-down.
Also - it's a longer thicker stone, better longevity and for putting the blade on the side.
After extended comparison - the 1k C is, IMO, superior to either Shapton.

I never got along with the 1k SS - soft, spongy not as effective as I wanted.
It works just fine - the Chosera my preferred stone in that comparison too.