Thread: Honing Stones..

Hi, can i get some more advise please.
I have been looking into honing stones.
At first i wanted the Belgium Coticule stones but since doing a bit of online reading it seems the Naniwa Super Stones are prefered.
I want to buy the Naniwa 5k and a 12k and also some of that green oxide paste.
Does that make sense to you guys?
My blades dont get dull dull, i only shave once a week and stropping keeps um good.
I have one blade which is a dull and i cant bare tethought of it sitting there dull.
Would these three items be good for me?
Many thanks in advance for your advise..

That's a big jump from 5k to 12, you might need something in the 8k range as well.

If are just touching up your own razor, a Norton 4k/8k and the Naniwa 12k + the CrOx should do it. You could also sub a Chinese 12k for the Naniwa (keep in mind they can be variable, C12k)

Originally Posted by rodb

That's a big jump from 5k to 12, you might need something in the 8k range as well.

If are just touching up your own razor, a Norton 4k/8k and the Naniwa 12k + the CrOx should do it. You could also sub a Chinese 12k for the Naniwa (keep in mind they can be variable, C12k)

I wanted to get the 5 and 12k and bypass inbetween to save money im feeling cheap.. I think the norton alone is £150 ..

Yes not cheap at all!! That's why I mentioned the C12k as they are way cheaper than the Naniwa

Originally Posted by JOB15

I wanted to get the 5 and 12k and bypass inbetween to save money im feeling cheap.. I think the norton alone is £150 ..

You wouldn't really save money by skipping steps like that, especially when learning to hone. You'd end up with something that wouldn't really get the job done (depending on what job you're trying to do). If you want to spend less, you could get the norton 4/8K (an 8K used to be the norm to finish on) and then get your chromium oxide paste to polish the edge further than the 8K...just use it sparingly so you don't get a wire edge. Naniwa also makes a 3/8 combo stone, which would be a bit easier to set a bevel on than the 4K. If you want a cheaper stone, look for the Taidea stones on ebay. They are corundum stones that some guys here have used and are decent (do a SRP search for taidea to read what they have to say). I got a 3K from the seller "hellogiftshop" for $35 CAD. While these stones are decent and a bit cheaper...there is a point where you may as well just get a norton. Also keep in mind that naniwa stones are softer stones and will need regular lapping. Taidea stones are harder by comparison.
You could also just get a coticule like you were already thinking and go from heavy to no slurry, progressively to do one stone honing.

Originally Posted by kwlfca

You wouldn't really save money by skipping steps like that, especially when learning to hone. You'd end up with something that wouldn't really get the job done (depending on what job you're trying to do). If you want to spend less, you could get the norton 4/8K (an 8K used to be the norm to finish on) and then get your chromium oxide paste to polish the edge further than the 8K...just use it sparingly so you don't get a wire edge. Naniwa also makes a 3/8 combo stone, which would be a bit easier to set a bevel on than the 4K. If you want a cheaper stone, look for the Taidea stones on ebay. They are corundum stones that some guys here have used and are decent (do a SRP search for taidea to read what they have to say). I got a 3K from the seller "hellogiftshop" for $35 CAD. While these stones are decent and a bit cheaper...there is a point where you may as well just get a norton. Also keep in mind that naniwa stones are softer stones and will need regular lapping. Taidea stones are harder by comparison.
You could also just get a coticule like you were already thinking and go from heavy to no slurry, progressively to do one stone honing.

Hi, thanks for the info.. a few questions Whats a wire edge? and whats the difference between having a thick slurry to a no slurry? am i right in thinking the honing action is a different action on the norton than it is on the coticule? thanks

A wire edge is an edge that is too thin and fails, usually from overhoning or overuse of pastes. Slurry will help you to "lower" the "grit" of a stone. I say "lower" because it doesn't actually lower it, it give you more cutting power, which speeds things up. I put grit in quotes because coticules and other naturals don't have an actual grit rating.
This might give you a better idea of what I mean and explain a little further: Belgian Hones - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Lynn recommends only 4-7 strokes on chromium oxide. I've never used it myself, I have a nani 12K that I use to refresh (although some use both). Here's Lynn's vid for a bunch of refreshing methods .
Both Lynn and Glen (gssixgun) have awesome videos on youtube for honing on all sorts of media (nortons, naniwas, shapton, cotis etc). I've watched them all countless times and are a huge help when learning to hone. I recommend them highly!

i think you would be better just a 12k nani if all you are doing is refreshing razors. it is expensive but then your not paying for the other stones.

Something I have been looking into as a cheap(er) entry into the world of honing is honing film. There seems to be a general consensus on this forum and on others that this stuff is pretty good for honing and touch-ups. Here's a link to a great article i stumbled across about the stuff. Just another option if you don't feel like dropping $150+ for a couple of hones right off the bat...

Good Luck!