What hone for my wishlist?

[gurana]

I'm looking around for my first hone. I figured I would start out with a finishing hone I would use for touch-ups... not sure if this is the right route to go, but luckily I have a 'spare' razor, so won't risk fudging my only one.

Since Christmas is right around the corner, I figured I'd put one on my wishlist to see if I get any bites. If not, I'll get it afterwards.

What would you put on your wishlist as a first hone? I'm thinking either the Naniwa Super Stone 12000, or perhaps the Shapton 16000. They seem pretty well thought of, from what I can tell.

I was originally leaning toward the spyderco UF. This too seems to get reasonable reviews, but one complaint is that they're super hard to lap. Because it seems that every hone must be lapped at some point, I'd rather not get something that will tear my lapping plate up, which is another complaint I've seen about the spydercos. I have seen posts that suggest that some hones will never need lapping, but the ones that seem most trustworth disagree.

 

[ambrose]

nakayama kitta asagi blend

 

[chess1]

Escher is the best option.

 

[richmondesi]

Escher is the best option.

Don't forget, that's my stone

 

[mainaman]

nakayama kitta asagi blend

way to start with the hones

 

[English]

If you want a great tip........pick one and learn how to use it. They will all do the job. The differences at the quality you are looking at are marginal.

All of the hones mentioned are great in the right hands. That means someone who knows how to use that particular hone.

Is one better than the other........maybe, but I doubt you can tell the difference. The stropping will be what you feel.

So a good finishing hone and a good strop and your good to go for life.

Incidentally, I don't go with all the hype about super smooth or so sharp it will split a hair. That's all hype by wannabe straight razor users.

I don't mind what skin you have or how tough your beard is, a shave ready razor is a shave ready razor and you can achieve the same comfortable edge with any of the hones mentioned above.

Ofcourse if you pay the price tag of the Japanese quarry stone or the now depleted slate from the German slate quaries you will sing the praises loud and long.

I've now tried all of the finishing hones mentioned and I can say that my HAD is over. I have kept a Japanese hone and a blue green Escher because they are very good. I also sold a English hone that was exceptional.

I have however ended up liking and using this finishing hone best of all............
http://www.dick.biz:80/dick/product/711020/detail.jsf

Why? I don't really know, but it suits me just fine. Never had better shaves.

 

[TstebinsB]

English, is the Akatsuki a true #8000 on the US scale or is it finer?

 

[mainaman]

Ofcourse if you pay the price tag of the Japanese quarry stone or the now depleted slate from the German slate quaries you will sing the praises loud and long.

That is pretty much the same as saying if you buy a Mercedes you will always say its so good because you payed so much for it. All the very popular natural finishers are such because many people have tried and liked them.
@ the OP:
As far a a newbie getting into honing, start with something simple like a synthetic 10-12k stone for finisher. Then if you feel the need to go to the extreme get a Natural finisher to take you to the 30k+ level.

 

[English]

English, is the Akatsuki a true #8000 on the US scale or is it finer?

It's sold as an 8000 grit on the Japanese scale.

As I understand it, the Japanese grit scale stops at 8000. So I believe that by marking it as 8000, all thay are saying is that it is their finest hone.

When I purchased the hone, I had the luxury of being able to compare it directly with a 10,000 grit Naniwa hone. The Akatsuki was the finer hone of the two. I tested it on a TI blade and the Akatsuki took the edge to a new level. In addition, I preferred the feel of the hone. Not as clawing as the Naniwa. I'm not putting down the Naniwa in any way, it's also a great hone, but the little heard of Akatsuki is a better razor finishing hone IMHO.

The guys at "DICK" teach sharpening skills especially for Japanese kitchen knives and the Japanese carpentry tools which they sell. They really do know what they are talking about. They also sell TI razors and they rated the Akatsuki very highly for finishing a razor.

They sell a few makes of Japanese synthetics, Belgian coticules, Japaneses naturals etc., and they put me onto this great finishing hone.

It is very easy to use. You can make a slurry with a natural nagura (Dick sell these as well) for fast cutting or use just water for the final finish. The nagura will also clean the hones surface of any metal. It responds at the finish to a very light touch. You can see and feel the hone doing its work. It the same as many synthetics, but it just seems to suit razors.

It's not as fine as an Escher or a good Japanese Natural or the 16K Shapton but it just seems to get the balance right and with a good leather strop smooths the edge delightfully. No need for pastes. It is certainly to my taste and I'm pretty demanding. I am very greatful to DICK for letting me test one.

I asked what they recommended, tested it and bought it on the spot. It was a pleasure to hand over the money.

You ask a very reasonable question, but as you know, grit sizes are often misleading and even confusing. In the past I have always regarded natural hones as being superior, but this Akatsuki changed my view.

 

[chess1]

Don't forget, that's my stone

I keep my words always

 

[English]

That is pretty much the same as saying if you buy a Mercedes you will always say its so good because you payed so much for it. All the very popular natural finishers are such because many people have tried and liked them.

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying and your Mercedes example is perfect.
That is exactly how many people do behave.

In addition, they are usually great cars. It's interesting, because in Europe, Mecedes is just another make of car that competes with Audi, BMW and Volkswagon. It's preferred by shall we say the more mature drivers. It is also used all over Europe as a taxi.

The thing I have learned after trying many many hones is that the purchase price for a hone has as much to do with scarcity as it has to do with quality.
I certainly did not find that the hones I paid the most money for were the best.

 

[mainaman]

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying and your Mercedes example is perfect.
That is exactly how many people do behave.

In addition, they are usually great cars. It's interesting, because in Europe, Mecedes is just another make of car that competes with Audi, BMW and Volkswagon. It's preferred by shall we say the more mature drivers. It is also used all over Europe as a taxi.

The thing I have learned after trying many many hones is that the purchase price for a hone has as much to do with scarcity as it has to do with quality.
I certainly did not find that the hones I paid the most money for were the best.

You are right that the most expensive stone is not necessarily the best. I was lucky to be offered the oprotunity to to try my Narutaki before I buy it, and so far its the best finisher I have tried. I know that stones from some sellers are a hit or miss deal, but I also know some sellers that will definitely sell you the top notch stone. The really top notch stones are pretty expensive though.
Anyway I think or a newbie to learn honing the most highly regarded stones (Nakayama, Escher, etc) are probably not the best start, for just razor maintenance may be.

 

[richmondesi]

I keep my words always

Never a doubt, my friend. I was only joking

 

[richmondesi]

It's sold as an 8000 grit on the Japanese scale.

As I understand it, the Japanese grit scale stops at 8000. So I believe that by marking it as 8000, all thay are saying is that it is their finest hone.

When I purchased the hone, I had the luxury of being able to compare it directly with a 10,000 grit Naniwa hone. The Akatsuki was the finer hone of the two. I tested it on a TI blade and the Akatsuki took the edge to a new level. In addition, I preferred the feel of the hone. Not as clawing as the Naniwa. I'm not putting down the Naniwa in any way, it's also a great hone, but the little heard of Akatsuki is a better razor finishing hone IMHO.

The guys at "DICK" teach sharpening skills especially for Japanese kitchen knives and the Japanese carpentry tools which they sell. They really do know what they are talking about. They also sell TI razors and they rated the Akatsuki very highly for finishing a razor.

They sell a few makes of Japanese synthetics, Belgian coticules, Japaneses naturals etc., and they put me onto this great finishing hone.

It is very easy to use. You can make a slurry with a natural nagura (Dick sell these as well) for fast cutting or use just water for the final finish. The nagura will also clean the hones surface of any metal. It responds at the finish to a very light touch. You can see and feel the hone doing its work. It the same as many synthetics, but it just seems to suit razors.

It's not as fine as an Escher or a good Japanese Natural or the 16K Shapton but it just seems to get the balance right and with a good leather strop smooths the edge delightfully. No need for pastes. It is certainly to my taste and I'm pretty demanding. I am very greatful to DICK for letting me test one.

I asked what they recommended, tested it and bought it on the spot. It was a pleasure to hand over the money.

You ask a very reasonable question, but as you know, grit sizes are often misleading and even confusing. In the past I have always regarded natural hones as being superior, but this Akatsuki changed my view.

Excellent post, Peter *heads off to the linked website *

 

[TstebinsB]

It's sold as an 8000 grit on the Japanese scale.

As I understand it, the Japanese grit scale stops at 8000. So I believe that by marking it as 8000, all thay are saying is that it is their finest hone.

When I purchased the hone, I had the luxury of being able to compare it directly with a 10,000 grit Naniwa hone. The Akatsuki was the finer hone of the two. I tested it on a TI blade and the Akatsuki took the edge to a new level. In addition, I preferred the feel of the hone. Not as clawing as the Naniwa. I'm not putting down the Naniwa in any way, it's also a great hone, but the little heard of Akatsuki is a better razor finishing hone IMHO.

The guys at "DICK" teach sharpening skills especially for Japanese kitchen knives and the Japanese carpentry tools which they sell. They really do know what they are talking about. They also sell TI razors and they rated the Akatsuki very highly for finishing a razor.

They sell a few makes of Japanese synthetics, Belgian coticules, Japaneses naturals etc., and they put me onto this great finishing hone.

It is very easy to use. You can make a slurry with a natural nagura (Dick sell these as well) for fast cutting or use just water for the final finish. The nagura will also clean the hones surface of any metal. It responds at the finish to a very light touch. You can see and feel the hone doing its work. It the same as many synthetics, but it just seems to suit razors.

It's not as fine as an Escher or a good Japanese Natural or the 16K Shapton but it just seems to get the balance right and with a good leather strop smooths the edge delightfully. No need for pastes. It is certainly to my taste and I'm pretty demanding. I am very greatful to DICK for letting me test one.

I asked what they recommended, tested it and bought it on the spot. It was a pleasure to hand over the money.

You ask a very reasonable question, but as you know, grit sizes are often misleading and even confusing. In the past I have always regarded natural hones as being superior, but this Akatsuki changed my view.

Thanks for the response. I've been eying it for a while.

 

[Scissors]

I googled around a bit and can't find a US source for the Akatsuki stone. What do those who've tried the other options think is the best for a newbie looking for the same thing as the original poster: a stone for touch up honing when stropping no longer works?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned barber hones, but I'd rather not get into those anyway...eBay makes me nervous...