Thread: HELP choosing honing system

Hi All
I have been reading the posts on here for a while now on honing, trying to figure out what to buy . I have talked to Howard schecter of the perfect edge , he said the Shapton's are the best set up for life . Money is not the main issue , I am looking for high quality and ease of use . I am also a new at straight razor shaving in general so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Scott

at first welcome.
Now do you really mean money is not the issue?
if above true then my set will be

Norton 1000/400
Norton 4000/8k
Belgan natural combo
shapton
above 2(coticule and shapton)will do the same job basically shapton will leave a lot better edge for escher then belgian coticule
Escher's any will work.

above set will help you took out any chips etc and putting final edge.

if you are hone frick as many of us then
you can add
Belgian coticule
Nakayama very very nice hone
shapton's etc.


Shapton 16 k does put a good edge but it is a little harsh. end edge getting by Escher's are the best so far for me.
I am sure you will get so many different combination hones good luck choosing one.

lets hope this will help

I would say that for every day honing from bevel setting to finishing, go for the Naniwa Super Stones 1K, 5K, 8K and 12K. These things seem like they were made for straight razors. Very consistent and successful results. I have been using them for the past four months and love them. Started as a test and now they are virtually all I am using. The Shapton Glass stones are nice too. I also like my Escher and Nakayama.

Have fun,

Lynn

Welcome to SRP ! If I was new to it I would stick with a strop and a couple of shave ready razors before I started worrying about honing. Once you are sure that you are going to stick with it all of the previous posters had good advice.

Hi all
Thanks all , for the advice . I have the will to stay with straight razor shaving . I enjoy sharpening knives , broadheads , ETC . I have more sharpening stones already , but nothing I would consider using on a straight razor. I was looking to spend about 1100.00 on the Shapton stones , I also was looking at the stones on Lynn's site but notice that the finer grits are sold out . I liked the looks of the stone he suggested .
Thanks Scott

Keep in mind that the huge money in the Shapton set are in two things that are not necessary, the 30k and the GDLP
You don't have to have either of them....

The Naniwa Super stones would also be a great choice... I have been using the 1k at Lynn's suggestion and will most likely be adding the rest of the set soon enough......

That means that I will have a set of Norton's, Shapton's, Naniwa's and a Blue /Yellow combo stone.... oh and lets not forget the DMT 325 for lapping some Barber's hones and other naturals I have.....

See some of us just have way to many hones....


I would go either Shapton or Naniwa, my 2 cents have been spent have fun choosing hehehe

Originally Posted by gssixgun

See some of us just have way to many hones....

That is impossible.

Originally Posted by motohed

Hi All
I am looking for high quality and ease of use .
Thanks Scott

I'm looking for stones like those too.

Based on my relatively limited sampling, they all have their quirks and experience wins out over any engineered "super stone".

But, I see what your are getting at (i.e. quality stones that work well).

Mark

Hi Guys
I have ordered some stones after listen too all , and watching Lynn's insightful video ( may I say wow ) and thanks Lynn . I ordered some stones ,so here goes ! let me know what you think !
1 Naniwa super stone 5000 grit
1 sharpton pro 8000 grit
1 Naniwa super stone 10000 grit
1 Kitayama 12000 grit
I am looking for a good lap for flattening these stones , so I need more advice ! so thanks again in advance .
Also a huge plug for Lynn's video !
Are there any others out there !
SHAVE ON !
Thanks in advance Scott

Originally Posted by Lynn

I would say that for every day honing from bevel setting to finishing, go for the Naniwa Super Stones 1K, 5K, 8K and 12K. These things seem like they were made for straight razors. Very consistent and successful results. I have been using them for the past four months and love them. Started as a test and now they are virtually all I am using. The Shapton Glass stones are nice too. I also like my Escher and Nakayama.

Have fun,

Lynn

How do these hones lap...easier than shapton...can sand paper work or is the dmt 325 still needed...are they as hard as the chineese 12k that people say is a bear to lap.