Razor Hones

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Naniwa ‘Super Stones’

I’m very pleased to say that we now have in stock a new range of Japanese-made razor hones, the ‘Super Stone’ manufactured by the Naniwa Abrasive Manufacturing Company of Osaka.

I have had these Super Stones on trial recently and can say without any doubt that they are first-class razor hones. The Grit range is 1k, 3k, 5k, 8k, 10k and now the new 12k and, especially when used in progression , these stones give a truly impressive mirror-like finish to the cutting edge. And there are several more plus-points too:

All the stones are full size bench stones measuring 210 x 70 x 10 mm ( approx. 8.25” x 2.75” x 0.4”) and are bonded to a plastic base fitted with anti-slip ‘button’ feet. This size makes honing that bit easier as the full length of the blade can be set on the stone, doing away with the need to ‘x-pattern’ the honing action.

There’s no need to soak before use as with many other waterstones - nor do the stones need to be stored in water. Just wet them down with fresh water and you’re ready to go. Then just add water as needed - they are porous but use little water when compared to other types of ‘waterstone’.

They’re easily kept clean. Anyone with experience of honing knows that a lot of waterstones tend to ‘load up’, leading to black markings that are in fact the steel residue left behind by the honing action. This clogs the stone surface, requiring the use of a ‘nagura’ or rubbing stone to clean them up and return them to optimum performance. The Super Stones can be cleaned using just a common nylon pan scourer - the green’n’yellow type that can be purchased almost anywhere seem to work best. Of course if you like using a Nagura stone that’s fine - we have them here. Don’t forget though that the stone will also benefit from being lapped from time to time using either ‘wet’n’dry’ paper on a glass sheet or a proprietary lapping stone.

So how do they compare to the other stones we sell - the Belgian Blue and the Belgian Yellow Coticule?

It’s true to say that you will find it hard to beat a BBW or coticule for versatility - the response to pressure that can be achieved means that very fine edges can be had. However, A ‘BBW’ or a ‘Coti’ won’t handle a really dull blade too well -they simply aren’t made for the job. Also, in my opinion the Super Stones score heavily in two areas: ease of use and care and - perhaps inevitably - cost. Full-size BBW’s and especially coticules are expensive and - if you only hone your own razor periodically - can be a bit more costly than you would like. Super Stones are not cheap but in comparison are far more affordable and, especially for beginners, easier to use.

Obviously these stones can be used to hone almost any edged tool - chisels, plane irons and the like - and this does increase their versatility but it is for razors that I think these hones are absolutely ideal - and I’m please to be able to offer them to my customers!

PS - click here for a transcript of an independent article written about these stones that appeared in ‘Popular Woodworker’ - although the sizes mentioned are slightly different to those stated above, they are the self-same hones!

There are many other hones out in the marketplace with higher grit ratings than the ‘top of the tree’ 12k Super Stone - some with truly stratospheric grit figures - and no doubt these give a superlative edge. Yet, to someone who wants a hone or hone set that is forgiving, easy to maintain and - importantly! - produces first-class results, I think the Super Stones are hard to beat.

So what are they made of - and how?

Super Stones are manufactured in the Naniwa plant in Osaka from white fused aluminium powder, formed by chemical reaction bonding. What reaction? Well, sorry - that’s a trade secret! According to Naniwa Technical, the real trick is to produce a stone that isn’t too hard - as some of the so-called ‘ceramics’ (a term not used in Japan for these specific products) that can cause slippage of the blade edge, yet not so soft as to wear prematurely - despite giving a very ‘fast’ cutting medium. Incidentally, the word ‘waterstone’ isn’t used there either, just ‘whetstone’! So the Super Stones are made to a balance of hardness versus cutting power that works extremely well, as has been proved to me under workshop conditions.

In summary, I would not hesitate to recommend these hones for use on straight razors or indeed any fine-edged tool - with a little practice they will reward the user with outstanding results and doubtless have a long service life.

The size of these bench hones does away with the need to perform the ‘x-pattern’ honing technique necessary with narrower hones. The hone itself is securely bonded to a rugged plastic base that is fitted with anti-skid feet, keeping everything where it should be during the honing process.

£41.78

Kingdom

£46.28

£47.28

£47.78

1k (1,000) grit stone - ideal for rapid metal removal from ragged edges, chip and ‘ding’ removal, and setting a new bevel to the razor’s edge. Progressive stone with good ‘feel’, this grit leaves a satin finish much smoother than many comparable hones.

5k (5,000) grit stone. Excellent for beginning the real high-polishing work, this stone gives good feedback and cuts quickly for a hone that leaves such a good, fine polish. A good hone for use with any blade that has merely become dull with use or perhaps has a ‘turned’ edge from a stropping mistake - it will rapidly restore the edge, leaving the way for the higher grit stones to do their work.

8k (8,000) grit stone. A superb polish is easily attained with use of this stone on a ‘progressively’ honed edge - quite remarkable for 8k grit. Can also be used as a slightly more aggressive hone than the 10k grit in situations where maintenance honing is being carried out and the edge is a little too rough to benefit fully from the 10k hone.

£49.87

Kingdom

£55.17

£58.17

£58.67

£57.25

Kingdom

£61.75

£62.75

£63.25

£52.68

Kingdom

£57.18

£58.18

£58.68

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WAITING STOCK

Due mid-Feb

All Naniwa hones that we sell come bonded to a sturdy plastic stand and are supplied in a cardboard outer. If several different hones are purchased at once, they will normally be sent individually packed - this keeps within postal weight limits and lessens the risk of damage. All stones are shipped using the appropriate level of postal insurance.

By popular demand we are now stocking Japanese ‘Nagura’ rubbing stones, suitable for use with the above Naniwa Super Stones. Whilst a pan scourer can be used to clean and refresh the surface of these stones, feedback from customers says that a good session with one of these rubbing stones will bring your Naniwa right back to pristine condition. They can of course be used on most types of Japanese waterstones. Size approx. 2.75” x 0.75” x 0.75”

£4.99

Kingdom

£5.20

£5.99

£6.20

STOCK

Looking for a gift - but not sure what to go for? Why not give a gift voucher instead?

10k (10,000) grit stone. This hone leaves a mirror-like finish on the edge that holds good even using a 30x jeweller’s loupe (if done properly of course!). A very smooth, buttery hone with plenty of ‘feel’, this has to be the best 10k hone I have ever used!

12k (12,000) grit stone. This is the ultimate Naniwa super stone for superfine edges. I’ve now used it on may razors and it adds to an already superb finish given by the 10k stone above. Ideal for quickly restoring a used edge to a degree of sharpness that is surely hard to rival. Excellent!

£70.91

Kingdom

£75.41

£76.41

£76.91

£60.49

Kingdom

£64.99

£65.99

£66.49

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3k (3,000) grit stone - much smoother in ‘feel’ to the 1k grit stone, this hone is ideal for use on blades where, although the edge may be a little rough, there is not a great deal of metal to be removed in order to restore a continuous and smooth edge. Also good at bevel setting.

£46.50

Kingdom

£51.00

£52.00

£52.50

Welcome to our razor hone page, featuring honing stones from Japan, Belgium and China. Each have their own properties and these are explained below - don’t worry though - if you need help, just drop us a line and we’ll de-mystify things for you!

Naniwa Super Stones - Japan

Ardennes Yellow coticule stones - Belgium

Ardennes ‘Belgian Blue’ stones - Belgium

Chinese 12k waterstones.

I’m very pleased to say that we are now stocking the World-famous Belgian Ardenne Coticule whetstone, manufactured in Lierneux & Vielsalm, Belgium. This is in direct response to feedback from customers who wish to take the care of their straight razors past the stropping stage and into maintenance honing - undertaken when the stropping action is unable to return the razor’s edge to a state of shave-readiness. These whetstones are ideal for this purpose. Made from selected yellow coticule, they are called ‘bouts’ - irregularly-shaped pieces of stone that are less expensive than the perfect ly rectangular stones, yet ideal for the individual who is taking care of one or two (or six or seven!) personal razors in their ‘rotation’. Unlike normal ‘bouts’ - that may even be triangular in shape - these are specially selected pieces chosen for straight razor use - as the photos show. Presented in an attractive beech box with hard foam liner that is individually tailored to the stone it holds, these Belgian whetstones represent fantastic value for money and should last a lifetime. NB - these bouts are sold by area, (not L x W) and this is between 58 -70cm².

Important note: these stones are bonded to a layer of black schist in order to add strength and durability. Only the ‘yellow’ side is to be used for razor honing - using the black stone could result in damage to the razor’s edge so, again - please don’t use it!

Each stone is supplied with a ‘slurry stone’, which is used to start off the all-important fine slurry that is the secret to the high performance and great edge-producing capabilities of these remarkable whetstones. The yellow coticule needs no pre-soaking - simply wet with water (do NOT use oil!), rub with the slurry stone and you’re ready to hone. When done, simply rinse the stone, dry off (or even leave to air dry) and put away for next time!

‘Bout’ stones can vary in shape a great deal but, as has been said, all stones in this product category are specially selected for use as razor hones. Colour can also vary from a quite noticeable yellow to cream and some even have pink or greenish casts to them. All are equally able to produce the finish required for a straight razor, however, and all are ‘selected’ class, meaning far less ‘inclusions’ and a much more regular-looking surface to the whetstone.

Each ‘bout’ is supplied in a quality beechwood box and has a hard foam liner to protect both coticule and slurry stone. These liners are cut out to correspond exactly to the shape of the stones they contain, thus reducing the risk of damage and chipping when moved around. As can be seen from the photo, stones do differ in overall shape but all are genuine yellow coticule and perfect for restoring your razors’ edge.

Yellow Coticule ‘Bouts’

Ardennes Yellow Coticule stones from Belgium

In use, the Belgian coticule is hard to beat. For those new to maintenance honing it gives plenty of ‘feedback’ as to how the edge is shaping up, whilst the experienced user will appreciate the speed at which the whetstone cuts. With approx. 40% garnet content - the cutting power of the stone - the coticule gives superb results quickly. It’s a great ‘finishing’ stone for razors as it gives a very smooth edge combined with speed of cutting..

Belgian yellow coticule stones seem expensive - until you think that you will, in all probability, never need to buy another. They are extremely hard-wearing and, with a little care, should literally last a lifetime when used properly. When viewed in this context, I think you will agree that they not only represent great value for money, but are a great investment!

All hones come in their own fitted box and will be sent in the UK by Royal Mail Recorded Signed For service. For Airmail customers, International Signed For service is used. Both services are trackable and carry full insurance against loss.

£62.48

Kingdom

£68.48

£73.48

£75.48

Looking for a gift - but not sure what to go for? Why not give a gift voucher instead?

If you are looking for a cut-to-size coticule stone, we now stock a very handy 150 x 40 mm boxed stone, again backed with schist. An ideal size for touch-up work, not quite as big as the ‘bout’ above but a great alternative!

(please note: razor not included!)

£53.63

Kingdom

£57.63

£60.63

£61.13

Slurry stone for use with all yellow coticule hones such as the one above. Creates a starting slurry and so speeds up the honing process. Razor not included - it’s just there to give an idea of the size of these slurry stones, which are in fact no.1 size coticule bouts.

£6.75

Kingdom

£7.25

£8.75

£8.95

Stock

Remember - the price you see is the price you pay - no hidden extras!

‘La Veinette’ and ‘La Petite Blanche’ special yellow coticules!

The names above are the original geological names of each coticule vein since they were discovered and these are recognised as being amongst the very best razor hones available, being softer than the ‘ordinary’ coticule’ and particularly suited to razor honing. We will be stocking two sizes - 150 x 40 mm and 200 x 60 mm, both supplied in beechwood boxes - as stock is available.

Please note - all subject to availability - new stock expected in October

Remember - the price you see is the price you pay - no hidden extras!

Belgian Blue Whetstone

What is a ‘BBW’?

A Belgian Blue Waterstone is a hone with approx. 30% garnet content, as opposed to the coticule’s 40%. Like the Coticule above, it works by releasing microscopic garnets -far harder than steel - that are carried in the ‘slurry’ that builds up on the stone surface in use. This slurry is actually made up of a mixture of hard, fine clay (the body constituent of the stone) and garnets.

This stone, because it is non-porous, cannot clog or become glazed.The obtuse facet edges of the round and oval garnets abrade the steel without the gouging that is common with more acutely angled abrasives. This leaves the steel with a much smoother polish and a noticeably finer edge.

This combination of speed and fine finish is unique. I find it a great hone to use and a very fine edge can be obtained by using progressively lighter pressure on the stroke. It has a distinctively different ‘feel’ and does cut rather more slowly than the yellow Coticule but gives an equally good finish and is an ideal stone for newcomers, as the slower cutting cuts the risk of over-honing. I use them a lot!

Left: my own 200 x 75 mm. Belgian Blue Whetstone in use.

We have managed to secure a limited quantity of these Chinese 12k (12,000) grit waterstones at a very keen price. These are ‘natural’ stones and very hard, much harder than either the Belgian stones or the Naniwas offered elsewhere on this site.

Measuring 200 x 50 x 25 mm. And weighing some 650+ grams, these stones offer a budget alternative to the two mentioned above and are ideal for ‘touching-up’ the edge of your straight razor when the strop can’t quite get it back to shave-readiness. I use one myself and can attest to their capabilities.

The downside? Well, they are a hard stone so cut slowly - you’ll need about fifty passes minimum. Also, quite a few of them have small chips to the edges - this doesn’t affect their performance and these can be removed with a dressing stone or wet’n’dry paper - and this is reflected in the price.

The upside? An excellent finishing stone for anyone on a tight budget or who wishes to dip a toe into the water before committing to a much more expensive hone. I’d rate these as top value for money.

And don’t forget - the price you see is the price you pay - no hidden extras!

Chinese 12k grit waterstone

£19.00

Kingdom

£24.50

£26.50

£28.00

PLEASE NOTE: razor not included with hone!

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Customer comment -

I have had to write regarding a purchase I made on this web site. I have been using a straight razor since 2000 when I picked one up new from a cutler in the city in which I live. I was lucky enough that my father in law is Italian and was well versed in their use (as he uses one). I started slowly and eventually reached an A1 shave. I have a very heavy coarse beard and when it came to honing I could never get the razor sharp, and I always had to wait until i could pop into my in-laws when he would use an old hone to make the edge keen. I have a dual 4000/8000 hone but as I said can never get my razor sharp.

I purchased one of these Belgian Coticule stones, put some water onto it, used the prep stone to form a slurry. Ten strokes, diluted the slurry a little few more, clear water and ten strokes and its was absolutely sharp as can be. These stones are fantastic! Best thing I have bought for years, and I cannot believe their almost magical properties. It has turned someone who was rubbish into a veteran honing master! Brilliant! I recommend these to anyone, they will last a life time.

Dr. Mike M., Yorkshire.

Supplied unboxed this ‘BBW’ hone measures 100 x 50 mm and is a nice ‘pocket’ size. Very useful for ‘on the spot’ honing of razor edges - keep one in the bathroom for touch-ups when needed!

Please note - razor for illustration only, not supplied with hone!

£23.05

Kingdom

£25.25

£27.75

£28.05

stock

£55.43

Kingdom

£61.43

£66.43

£68.43

£33.17

Kingdom

£37.17

£40.17

£40.67

Prices below are for the boxed 150 x 40 mm hone.

Prices below are for the boxed 200 x 60 mm hone.

Supplied in a handsome beech box as shown, the hone pictured measures 200 x 60 mm and is ideal for straight razor honing. Unlike the bouts above the hone is closely fitted to its box, which gives handy storage and added protection when not in use.

Sizes currently available:

200 x 75 mm, 200 x 60 mm and 150 x 40 mm., all boxed.

All hones are shipped with appropriate compensation levels against breakage and loss.

Prices below are for the boxed 200 x 75 mm hone

as seen above.

£73.52

Kingdom

£79.52

£84.52

£86.52

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Belgian Blue slurry stone - for use with all Belgian Blue stones. Use to create a starting slurry upon the stone - speeds up the honing process! Approx 4 x 2 x 2 cm. - sizes do vary slightly

£3.81

Kingdom

£4.31

£5.81

£6.01

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New! 200 x 60 coticule!

Just arrived - a limited number of select class coticule bench stones, size 200 x 60 mm. Each stone supplied in a fitted wooden Ardennes Coticule box similar to the one at above right. We have been waiting for quite a while for these hones so if you’re in the market for a full-size coticule bench hone please don’t delay as, when these are gone, we can’t say when we can get any more!

£169.68

Kingdom

£173.68

£179.08

£179.38

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