Naniwa Hones

[Ansuz]

I've been debating picking up my first set of hones (I had knowing that there is an aspect of my razor mantenence that I can't do myself) and I saw this set of Naniwas over at SRD.com:

http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&products_id=940

Its about in the price range of what I was looking to spend but I was curious what the opinons on them were. Lynn's FAQ says that they are a great set of hones for a beginner but I'm looking for additional opinions - the reviews section here only has comments on the 1k an 12k hones.

Also, and I know this is a total newb question, but what exactly is "lapping" a hone? I've heard that it needs to be done to new hones but I'm not sure exaclty what it entales.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Huxley]

You get a pencil, run a cross hatch pattern across it then sand it on a flat stone, glass or marble surface until all the lines are gone, that way you have a flat stone ready for use.

Personally i love the super stone series, you won't go far wrong with that little set.

I would advise you buy a cheap nagura stone to go with it, they pick up swarf but it's no big deal, just run the stone across it to refresh the surface.

 

[Loner16]

I'm new to honing, and I bought the set you're looking at. I've since added a 2K SuperStone, and plan on getting a 1K also. They have worked very well for me after honing about ten razors, but I have no experience with the others, so take my advice from where it comes...

 

[LarryAndro]

You get a pencil, run a cross hatch pattern across it then sand it on a flat stone, glass or marble surface until all the lines are gone, that way you have a flat stone ready for use...

Never thought about that. Thanks!

 

[superbleu]

I would highly recommend getting a DMT 8 coarse (325 grit) diamond stone for lapping. Sandpaper and granite/glass will do, but the DMT is so much easier, and does a much better job of lapping waterstones.

 

[LessLemming]

Naniwa Superstones are the best polishers I have ever come across.
I recommend the 800/5.000 and 3.000/8.000 combination stones.
Otherwiese SS 1k, 5k and 8k.
The 12k is not needed, but a nice addition.

After the super 8k the bevel will be polished in a deep mirror luster.
Few wipes on a pasted strop and you´re done.

For lapping; a flat piece of stone or ceramic and 320 wet/dry sandpaper will do the job.
The DMT8C is a nice addition/substitute, but way more expensive

 

[Utopian]

The Naniwas are the hones du jour. Though they are great hones, they are not the only option. The Norton hones remain an excellent option and are cheaper.

 

[ouch]

The Naniwas are the hones du jour. Though they are great hones, they are not the only option. The Norton hones remain an excellent option and are cheaper.

Very true. I've had Naniwas before most folks ever heard of them, but there's more than one way to skin a cat. Great stones, for sure, but options abound.

 

[SliceOfLife]

The Naniwas are the hones du jour. Though they are great hones, they are not the only option. The Norton hones remain an excellent option and are cheaper.

I think it's more of the Nortons falling out of hone du jour. When I was just starting shaving only one or two people dared breath a word about anything other than the Nortons. I thought that maybe Norton sponsored SRP when I started posting there. One of my first posts in which I asked if one could use a King 4k in place of an 8k Norton because it cost a quarter as much was met with what I perceived to be near outrage at my insolence to dare to question the wonderful perfectness of the 4k/8k Norton stone.

Then a few months later guys started posting that they liked Naniwas better, and a lot of people came out of the woodwork citing issues they had with the Norton 4k and stating that they switched from Norton 4/8k to naniwa 3/5 5/8 or 3/8 sets and how much better they liked them, and it's sort of shifted the field to where now it's "allowed" to recommend Nortons or Naniwas.

 

[gugi]

Norton is certainly a better value than Naniwa. I have Naniwa (and not Shapton) because I like the feedback better than the Norton.
I also have not used any other man made hones and I don't like to speculate.

I thought that maybe Norton sponsored SRP when I started posting there. One of my first posts in which I asked if one could use a King 4k in place of an 8k Norton because it cost a quarter as much was met with what I perceived to be near outrage at my insolence to dare to question the wonderful perfectness of the 4k/8k Norton stone.

Talk about faulty memory, here's the thread you're referring to http://www.straightrazorplace.com/f...oring-work-dmt-f-vf-barber-hone-possible.html

Then a few months later guys started posting that they liked Naniwas better, and a lot of people came out of the woodwork citing issues they had with the Norton 4k and stating that they switched from Norton 4/8k to naniwa 3/5 5/8 or 3/8 sets and how much better they liked them, and it's sort of shifted the field to where now it's "allowed" to recommend Nortons or Naniwas.

Huh? I counted 475 threads referencing Naniwa by the time you are referring to.

How about we talk about the hones we have actually used and leave out any irrelevant stuff which seems to get interesting interpretations as the time passes. Shall we?

 

[SliceOfLife]

There was a distinct line where posts asking what hones to get for an initial set went from being flooded with Norton recommendations to being flooded with Norton and/or Naniwa recommendations. Also, not all responses to my query are in that thread, so perhaps we shouldn't go around questioning others memory.
But back to the point, there is $10 difference between Naniwa 3/8 and Norton 4/8, and maybe you have, but I've yet to see someone argue that the Nortons are superior, whereas I've seen several dozen reports to the contrary. So, Superior hone, with a more complete family, better finish and at a slight price premium receiving far fewer recommendations over an extended period of time before garnering wider support. Maybe I'm analytical, but I see the Norton as the hone of the day who's day is waning rather than Naniwa's appearing as a new Hone of the Day. Or if you prefer, Naniwa's price has likely reduced over the past year, whereas Nortons has stayed relatively stable, and as their price points pushed closer together, people likely became more critical of the Norton stones, causing a rise in recommendations of the Naniwa's. In either case, calling the Naniwa's basically a fad doesn't seem to fit the situation.

 

[thirdeye]

I have a complete set of Norton, Naniwa and DMT Diamond bench stones. More often than not I reach for the Naniwa's. They simply do the best for me.
If I need to hog off a ton of material I go to the DMT bench stones. The Nortons are a good stone however I like the feel and finish I get from the Naniwa's.

 

[gugi]

There was a distinct line where posts asking what hones to get for an initial set went from being flooded with Norton recommendations to being flooded with Norton and/or Naniwa recommendations.

Interesting, because that happened before you became interested in straight razors six months ago, but I'm sure you remember your conception as well.

As far as analyticity goes that seems to me like a compensation for the lack of relevant experience with the hones being discussed. But, of course, that's never a stopper to giving advice.

 

[professorchaos]

Guys, that is enough discussion about what may or may not have happened on another forum. So lets stay on topic and discuss the hones.

 

[treydampier]

The Naniwas are the hones du jour. Though they are great hones, they are not the only option. The Norton hones remain an excellent option and are cheaper.

+1
I use the Naniwa's and have honed professionally with them. Lynn uses them himself a lot in his honing service. As is said though there are a lot of options so don't rush in. I bought the set as you did, but I say add the 1K and if you want to deal with ebay blades and chips, add the 400 also. I also agree with getting the DMT 8C as it makes lapping easy.
I like them all though and think they are nice hones, easy to use, and overall a reasonable value. I personally think you can't go wrong either way because there is something to be said about the skill of the honer and not just the hone.

 

[DogHair]

I initially started honing with a few DMTs and a Chinese 12k. I was very happy with the results but eventually switched to 3M film after reading about it for a while. My edges got a little better but my experience had grown so it's had to tell if the film was an improvement. Recently I picked up some Naniwas. Overall I'd have to say I'm getting better shaves off the Naniwas but still use the DMTs for bevel setting. Great stones.

 

[PhatMan]

Ansuz,

I really like my Naniwas, and they give me a great edge

Like all resin based hones, they are not totally dimensionally stable, and will probably need lapping/flattening before each use; this is a good thing to do anyway, as it will leave a nice clean surface for you to hone on.

+1 on what others have said about getting a DMT 325 for lapping/flattening; it is much nicer and cleaner than using silicon carbide paper; however if you are looking to save some money, then the paper works fine.

Best of luck !

have fun !

Best regards


Russ

 

[Disburden]

they're awesome, buy them, hone with them, love them as I have!

 

[KeNd0]

+1
I use the Naniwa's and have honed professionally with them. Lynn uses them himself a lot in his honing service. As is said though there are a lot of options so don't rush in. I bought the set as you did, but I say add the 1K and if you want to deal with ebay blades and chips, add the 400 also. I also agree with getting the DMT 8C as it makes lapping easy.
I like them all though and think they are nice hones, easy to use, and overall a reasonable value. I personally think you can't go wrong either way because there is something to be said about the skill of the honer and not just the hone.

If you already had the DMT8C(325) for lapping, couldn`t that take the place of the 400 as well? Just looking at getting a set of stones myself, and trying to keep the price down to a minimum. I was looking at the DMT8C, a 1000/5000 combo, 3000/8000 combo. This would be cheapest for me with the exchange and shipping costs. Each combo stone being around $90US.