no longer a honing n00b

[Conrad]

I shouldn't say that I was a true honing rookie, because I did it badly for many weeks after receiving my Norton 4K/8K in the mail. Finally, after many weeks of honing attempts, testing, resting, reviewing everything available on this site and SRP, I got my fairly new Le Grelot shaving properly. I could not be happier.

The ultimate test for me is ATG under my nose. If the razor isn't just right, it pulls hair or irritates my skin. This morning, after a tune up session with a pasted Tony Miller paddle strop, finishing with .5 micron diamond paste, I finally got it right. Hellelujah!

I love the paddle strop, but I'm determined to get it right with stones alone. Here's the question now: What single finishing hone should I pick up to follow a Norton 8K?

 

[huntmol]

Choose wisely!

Chinese 12k : $30
or
Shapton 16k : $98
or
Belgian Coticule : $90-$130

Any one of those will provide a great edge following the Norton 8k

 

[Razorburne]

What about the Naniwa 12K?

 

[leighton]

What about the Naniwa 12K?

i hear good things about that one. i use spyderco.

 

[gugi]

i have not used the shapton 16, and i don't have that razor.

i'd say the naniwa 12000 since it's closer in feedback and consistency to the norton and is also fast like it.

unless you want to try something different and then it'll really depend what difference you want.

 

[huntmol]

What about the Naniwa 12K?

I've heard good things, but never tried one (wouldn't recommend something I hadn't personally tried) - how much do those go for?

 

[chess1]

What about the Naniwa 12K?

I have used one and it does excellent job. you will need to finish 10 laps on diamond paste and 15 laps chr02 to finish it up the edge. it cuts fast and very very sharp edge you will get from it. gl

 

[Disburden]

What about the Naniwa 12K?

Get it!

 

[RayG]

I'm determined to get it right with stones alone. Here's the question now: What single finishing hone should I pick up to follow a Norton 8K?

I think the question here is more complicated than it appears. If you are looking for a finishing stone that will not require pasting afterward to give you an edge that is the same or better than what you are getting now with your 0.5 micron paste, then you are walking down a slippery, expensive slope. Then you will likely go quickly from honing virgin to hone slut.

If you are looking for a finisher that will give you a good, comfortable edge, and you do not mind a few swipes on paste after that, then there are a lot more options as have been mentioned.

 

[Razorburne]

do you think there would be much of a difference between:

1. going from Norton 4k/8k to 1.0 micron diamond to 0.5 diamond/chromium

and

2. Norton 4k/8k to Naniwa 12k to pastes listed above

or do you think the end results would be pretty much the same? if there would be no significant difference, getting another hone might just be a waste of money? what do you think?

 

[gugi]

I think it depends on how good you are with the norton.

 

[leighton]

I think the question here is more complicated than it appears. If you are looking for a finishing stone that will not require pasting afterward to give you an edge that is the same or better than what you are getting now with your 0.5 micron paste, then you are walking down a slippery, expensive slope. Then you will likely go quickly from honing virgin to hone slut.

If you are looking for a finisher that will give you a good, comfortable edge, and you do not mind a few swipes on paste after that, then there are a lot more options as have been mentioned.

That cracked me up!

But its true. Only the Shapton 30k is rated at .5 microns. Which is essentially the same as .5 micron crox. And uh....you can get the crox for pretty much a fraction of a cent per razor honed. The Shapton OTOH....

 

[Razorburne]

I think it depends on how good you are with the norton.

meaning if you are not so good with the Norton, the Naniwa will somehow help more than the pastes alone?

I guess I'm figuring if you're not that good with the Norton, you're not going to be that good with the Naniwa (as the same technique is involved) - although I may be totally wrong.

let's say you have the basic honing technique down, but you aren't great with the Norton as you are not yet completely adept at knowing just how far you can push it on each grit to get the best edge.....is there any difference in the 2 options now? (pastes vs. naniwa + pastes)

 

[Slartibartfast]

I would just buy a packet of CrO from ChrisL at SRP for $4 and make yourself a pasted strop on the cheap.

If you are happy, awesome.

If you feel like you still need something in between or are looking for an excuse to get another hone....


Try the naniwa 12k or chinese 12k..

Chinese 12k is extremely slow to hone and lap.