Naniwa Super Stones or Chosera

[Nick_]

Hi Guys,

I've just ordered my first set of hones, and opted to go with the Naniwa synthetic stones. Have ordered 1k, 5k, 8k and 12k.

Would those be a good all round combination to handle bevel setting up to finishing?

Also, I noticed the Chosera range. They looked better quality in some respects but the price difference was quite large. Will the super stones be sufficient?

Ah and has anyone use the lower grit Naniwa's for cutlery/knife sharpening?

 

[Marco]

The Naniwa Super Stones are some of the finest synthetic hones available on the market IMHO. They are easy to use, effective, reliable and consistent. Results from the bevel setting on the 1K to the final polishing on the 12K are fantastic and price point is very good compared to other systems. I have the full set but usually use only four stones: 1K - 3K (or 5K) - 8K - 12K. Compared to the Chosera they are softer and less expensive. Also, some say that the final edge off the Super Stone 12K is better and smoother than off the Chosera 10K. The only Chosera I own is the 1K, which is a superb, fast cutting hone for bevel setting. The SS 1K works great too, but cuts a bit slower.

 

[Nick_]

Thanks for your thoughts and sharing your experience Marco.

 

[jeness]

Both sets are nice, I had them both, but sold some of them in the long run. The Choseras are nicer overall, but for razor usage the supers are very nice too, and much cheaper. The only stone I didn't like in the super range is the 1k, but everything else is nice to use imo.

The Naniwa SS set will take you to the same place as the Choseras would, so your money is well spent. They are different, but still a nice choice, one of the best to use with razors in my opinion.

 

[smalltank]

You wont need a Chosera if your doing a few razors...if you want a fast cutting 1k get a jnat 1k or dmt1k or 1200

 

[TheLegalRazor]

You have everything you need. Some prefer the Choosera 1k for a dedicated bevel setting stone because it cuts faster, but the 1k you have will do as good of a job at bevel setting.

 

[rickboone1]

You wont need a Chosera if your doing a few razors...if you want a fast cutting 1k get a jnat 1k or dmt1k or 1200

they have jnat 1k?

 

[Wid]

No, it's not a natural, it's synthetic sold through JNS.

 

[smalltank]

This...http://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/JNS-1000-Matukusuyama-p/119.htm

 

[indymtb]

I bought the Norton 1K and 4k/8K along with the Naniwa 12K. I am happy with my Saint Gobain stones but in retrospect, I kind of wish I had bought all Naniwa just based on my experience with the 12K.

 

[Gamma]

I've had both sets - and used them side-by-side for a while.
I dis well with the SS, but my results were better with the Choseras.

With a four stone SS set, I would go 1,3,8,12k.

 

[Danricgro]

I have all the Superstones from 2k to 12k and like them just fine. Get yourself a lapping solution, I would recommend either a DMT D8C or an Atoma. The SS's work best if you give them a quick lapping after each use, at least they do for me.

 

[Arkamedius]

I have a question and if the OP doesn't mind me posting in this thread (only because these are the exact same stones i recently purchased)
Is there a good finisher that someone could recommend I was looking at some pastes but aren't sure what would give me the sharpest edge possible. I have patently honed one of my razors and it does pluck hairs but am curious what I am missing. What I am looking for is something that TI or Dovo advertise as shave ready from factory.

For example Thiers Issard 7 / 8" Grelot Oak Wing Straight Razor, Limited Edition which came presharpened from TI. I am basically looking at sharpening my blades every 6 - 8 months with that type of quality.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Ark

 

[raccoonandbrush]

I have the Chosera 1K, and Super Stones 5K, 8K, and 12K.

 

[Mr_Spiffy]

I have a question and if the OP doesn't mind me posting in this thread (only because these are the exact same stones i recently purchased)
Is there a good finisher that someone could recommend I was looking at some pastes but aren't sure what would give me the sharpest edge possible. I have patently honed one of my razors and it does pluck hairs but am curious what I am missing. What I am looking for is something that TI or Dovo advertise as shave ready from factory.

For example Thiers Issard 7 / 8" Grelot Oak Wing Straight Razor, Limited Edition which came presharpened from TI. I am basically looking at sharpening my blades every 6 - 8 months with that type of quality.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Ark

Can you clarify your statement?

From my understanding, all "factory" razors would still require honing. What I've heard from several people on B&B is that all new razors need to be honed and are not truly "shave-ready".

Do T-I provide a truly shave-ready edge, moreso than other manufacturers?

 

[Danricgro]

My TI Evide Sonnant came with the factory edge and it was wonderful. HHT 4+ and smooth as could be. Then I bumped it on my faucet and put a small chip in the edge (unfortunately big enough to irritate) so I had to hone it out. The edge is good but not as good as the factory edge.

 

[u2u]

I have a fair range of straights from Dovo carbon and stainless blades to four TIs with the very hard C135 steel. The TIs, out if the box, ranged from butter knife (Le Grolet Oak Wing) to very shave ready (Le Grolet Crown Wing).

In any event, I have 2, 4, 8, and 16 k Shaptons. Want another stone to better finish my mixed fleet. Any opinion on Chosera 10k vs SS 12k? Probably get both in the long range. What should be first?

 

[Brooksie967]

As with any synthetic, ensure you take proper care of them. I've got a friend who has the full blown range of SS stones and for some reason, the 8k (yellow stone) has warped. He takes great care of his stuff but has had issues with his 8k from the beginning. It feels... softer than the rest, a corner chipped while he was lapping the stone and now the warping. I tried to get him to return it but he's too stubborn.

The SS range is great but the feel of the chosera is better and you get more stone for your money.

In any event, I have 2, 4, 8, and 16 k Shaptons. Want another stone to better finish my mixed fleet. Any opinion on Chosera 10k vs SS 12k? Probably get both in the long range. What should be first?

They provide similar results but if money isn't an issue, i'd go with the chosera all day long.

 

[Brooksie967]

My TI Evide Sonnant came with the factory edge and it was wonderful. HHT 4+ and smooth as could be. Then I bumped it on my faucet and put a small chip in the edge (unfortunately big enough to irritate) so I had to hone it out. The edge is good but not as good as the factory edge.

TI is probably the best at setting a factory edge. They've gone to great lengths to try to do this but still, in my opinion, fall short of where it should be. They are, from what I understand, all machine sharpened and this is reflected on the razor. Lots of cases of uneven bevels etc. My 7/8 flying eagle came with a decent edge but the bevel was wonky so I fixed that right away.

 

[u2u]

TI is probably the best at setting a factory edge. They've gone to great lengths to try to do this but still, in my opinion, fall short of where it should be. They are, from what I understand, all machine sharpened and this is reflected on the razor. Lots of cases of uneven bevels etc. My 7/8 flying eagle came with a decent edge but the bevel was wonky so I fixed that right away.

While TI is capable of setting a great factory edge and the forums seem to back that, my 4, all purchased new in the past six months, show as wide of range of edge as you can get. My Le Grolet Oak Wing looked stunning out of the box. Big price for that one, but you could not shave with it, period. A Celebration Silver Wing and Le Grolet Crown Wing were so good it would take the best hone-master going to improve them if it could be done at all. A 6/8 decorated spine, on the other hand, was a middle of the road performer that visited the hones fairly quickly. Machine sharpened? This last one with certainty. The presentation side of the blade was run across a wheel at least twice at distinctly different angles. Don't know how it passed any QC on aesthetic grounds. Hand made item with character?

My 14 Dovos all shave ready out of the box. If you could get Dovo to make TI razors it would be great. I like the workmanship in the Dovo but TI has nicer materials and designs.

But my present concern is getting the right finishing stone. I am happy with where my Shaptons take my Dovos but I want to do better on my TIs and perhaps my Harts.

The Chosera 10k sounds to be a better made, longer lasting stone than the Naniwa 12k, but which one will finish a high carbon steel like C135 better? One for similar so far. Perhaps trying to split hairs on this question... Thanks gents.