Possibly need Naniwa SS advice.

[Lomez]

I started with film, a DMT1200, and a small coti.

The film gave me consistently good shaving edges, was easy to use, and great in that it didn't need a soak or lap.
A 7$ piece of custom cut thick glass as a film plate.
The DMT was also effective, but not enjoyable to use.
The small coti, in my inexperienced and impatient hands- was inconsistent.

So I sold all of the above.

I now have a Chosera 1k, which I absolutely look fwd to using.
A DMT dia-course to lap.
And a larger coticule, which I still haven't mastered.

I regret selling the film at times, due to my lack of coti skillz.

What I would love, would be a hone that is as consistent and straight fwd as the film, but with the stone sound and feel of the Chosera 1k.

I've read it's best to stay within the same hone family for beginners, which I am.
And that many ppl prefer the feeling, lesser clogging, and scratch marks of the Naniwa 3/8 to the Norton 4/8.

Does the Naniwa SS feel like the Chosera when honing?

Would you all advise a 3k & 8K, or a 5K and 8K? Assuming I don't go the combo route.


If I brought my edge up to the 8k level, could I use my coti with just water, for this smooth coti edge that I always hear about? Not crazy about messing with the slurry stages/dilutes at this point...

Or would I be better off looking into a SS 10k or 12k?

Thanks everyone!

And just so i'm clear, for all you experienced guys out there, who have used both a SS10/12K and coti, there is difference, right?

 

[gary haywood]

For consistency you probably carn't beat the naniwas, they do feel nice to use way nicer than 4k/8k nortons... yes you could try coticule after 8k with water ...you must master shaving of 8k naniwa before you do...other wise you will reak the benefit from coticule....

if I was to buy the naniwas I would go with your 1k c and 3k naniwa also 5k 8k... try that and then introduce your coticule after you get perfect shaving edge 8k...If the coticule isn't working for you grab a 12k naniwas ..there good reliable hones the naniwas ,

 

[jpcwon]

+1 on what Gary said...

The Naniwa SS's have a soft but pleasant feel to them; having owned both, I would def. go with the Naniwa 3/8 over the Norton 4/8, but that's JMHO...My current Synth setup includes a 1k C, and SS 3k, 5k, 8k, and 12k.....They are very easy to hone on and can repeatedly produce a laser sharp edge in the right hands...

My personal preference is to follow up the Naniwa SS 12k with something else to smooth out the edge though, as I find the edge straight off the SS 12k to be a bit harsh.. Ihave been using the Suehiro 20k after the SS 12k and the resulting edge off of that is wonderful, but it's not a cheap stone!!

Like Gary said though, you should be able to shave off of the 8k first and foremost. Then you could add in a finisher, whether it be a coticule or SS 12k is up to you...

 

[Lomez]

Thank you both, for your replies- and the info you share on the forum.

So you both like the 5k between the 3k and 8K- didnt expect to see that..

 

[Doc226]

I have the naniwa 5 and 8k stones, very nice, soft feel, splash and go. They do need to be lapped after 2-3 razors though as they are soft.

I used to have the 12K but sold it a while back.

 

[jpcwon]

Thank you both, for your replies- and the info you share on the forum.

So you both like the 5k between the 3k and 8K- didnt expect to see that..

No problem at all!! Happy to try and help...

Yes I use a 5k, but it's not really necessary in all honesty. You can easily make the jump from 3k to 8k; people do it all the time who have the combo stone... A lot of times I will start on 5k for a razor that needs some work, but not a bevel reset...But don't feel like you NEED to have it, the jump from 3 to 8k is totally do-able IMO...

 

[Lomez]

Any reasons to get the single 2mm stones opposed to the combo stone? Or the 8k SS vs the 8k white version?

Doc, do you jump from a a bevel setter to the 5k?

 

[jpcwon]

Any reasons to get the single 2mm stones opposed to the combo stone? Or the 8k SS vs the 8k white version?

I also have the Naniwa Snow White 8k. That stone more closely resembles a Chosera in feel, but no it's not necessary. I can't tell the difference between an SS 8k edge and a Snow White 8k edge...It's all personal preference at that point....

 

[Doc226]

Any reasons to get the single 2mm stones opposed to the combo stone? Or the 8k SS vs the 8k white version?

Doc, do you jump from a a bevel setter to the 5k?

Sure no problem going from a chosera 1K to the nani 5K, scratches gone in a few minutes

 

[Mo-beffah]

I am not a pro and these guys have helped me come to this conclusion in other threads when looking at jnats. I'd say stick with your coti and figure that out first. If you put in the time your edges will get there. Just think if you get these stones and it doesn't get you to where you want to be. Your going to blame them and be off to the next set of stones and a 20k finisher probably. Again, my edges aren't the best yet and I am not very experienced, but they are getting better and that is just my vote.

 

[buca3152]

I like the choseras. They are pricey but thick and you can hone a warped blade on the side. Require much less lapping than naniwas. I have the 600 1k 3k 5k 10k. Love all or them, fast and nice scratch pattern. Naniwas are too soft although if you arent using them that often its a non issue.

 

[Lomez]

Mo,

Some good advice there. I was already thinking about selling the coti to pay for the nani, but maybe I should give it another few weeks. I still have a few packs of DE blades laying around to hold me off.

Like your sig, by the way.

 

[jpcwon]

Just think if you get these stones and it doesn't get you to where you want to be. Your going to blame them and be off to the next set of stones and a 20k finisher probably.

Hey, what are you trying to say?!? (j/k)

No in all seriousness. I wasn't suggesting that the OP get a 20k BTW...I was simply telling him that that's what I've personally been using after the Naniwa 12k lately....I happen to agree that sticking with the coticule is his best bet...The only way you're going to learn a given stone is to put in time with it. So you're advice to stick with that stone is very good advice.

I had to put in a lot of work in order to learn my stones. It wasn't until I was thoroughly comfortable with my edges off of coticule and JNAT (and synth for that matter) that I decided to branch out & try the 20k....I agree that "chasing stones" to get what you're looking for is the wrong approach. Instead, you should get comfortable with what you do have first, then branch out if you're so inclined...

But, hey, I've been known to play the role as pot/kettle too...After all, I did blow thru a lot of coticules at first, trying to find one that clicked...Did I ever stop to think maybe I was the problem and not the coticule? Well no, not at first...but eventually I figured out that I just had to spend more time with one stone...

 

[Lomez]

Haha, will this thread turned into no fun, quick! Jk.

 

[jpcwon]

Haha, will this thread turned into no fun, quick! Jk.

No, in all honesty I agree with Mo....I was just messing around... It is good advice that he gives!!

Trust me, I AM the person he's talking about...I tried many different stones until my skills improved enough to where I realized it was me & not the stones...I say stick with the coti too...but hey, if you're looking for a good synth option then the Naniwas are a nice choice so there ya go!!

 

[gary haywood]

I recently had a razor from celticusder a member on here..It was a nos 4/8 full hollow and what a beauty.. the razor was honed on 1k 5k 8k 12k 20 laps on his crox bench strop basicly like paddle strop...the razor was very sharp and smooth ... I realy can recommend these stones and the crox I don't think you will look back.. there the what i'd class sharp crisp shave naiawas where as coticule is smooth dull feel.

 

[Lomez]

Interesting...

I just honed my 3 razors on the coti. All 3 had fresh C1k bevels. Stropped all with 40 linen and 40 leather. Tonight will be the test. Last time I "honed" a singled razor on the cot, and ended up loading up the ol' DE.


Would an 8k then coti with water/oil be the same as a 12k then coti with water/oil in the end? hmm...

 

[gary haywood]

8k edge should be shave ready and very smooth, the 12k makes a tiny difference , I have gone 8k Norton coti water and the edge just pears across the skin that bit bit nicer ..there realy is a monly a minor difference from 8k to finisher you could go 8k to cronium oxide with great smooth edges

 

[Mo-beffah]

No, in all honesty I agree with Mo....I was just messing around... It is good advice that he gives!!

Trust me, I AM the person he's talking about...I tried many different stones until my skills improved enough to where I realized it was me & not the stones...I say stick with the coti too...but hey, if you're looking for a good synth option then the Naniwas are a nice choice so there ya go!!

I actually wasn't meaning you directly. I know you mentioned the 20k earlier so maybe that was why it was fresh in my mind. I could have said jnat finishers will be next instead of the 20k, but the point was the same...if you dont figure out the stone and keep replacing it then you will always be thinking it is the stones fault. You were the exact person that helped me give the advice I did about learning a certain stone and sticking with it, and ONLY AFTER you have maxed out all performance on that one do you look at something to take the next step. (Maybe I was wrong from the beginning because he is not looking for stones after the coti, he is looking to try a whole different setup entirely) I was looking up old threads in my research and many with you included in that mix gave this advice(saved me jnat $$$). I was looking at jnat finishers as a razor I had professionaly honed that I bought off bst was from a coti then shoubudani, but even that guy said the jnat was unnecessary if you can master the coti. So I held off and instead spent my money on another aspect that will probably get me more bang for the buck, a quality strop. So I am not entirely innocent here lol!

 

[Lomez]

None of us are, Mo