Thread: Hone a straight edge or to a straight edge?

Hone a straight edge or to a straight edge?

So here’s the question I have been struggling with the last few months.

How to get the straightest edge possible, and there by the keenest and most comfortable edge?

New synthetic stones, Suehiro Gokumyo and Shapton high grit stones are at their pinnacle, as are some high grit naturals. Lapping film, also gives a super straight edge and laser like uniform stra.

But then there is Iwasaki, who 52+ years ago wrote "Honing Razors and Nihonkamisori", (thank you Jim for the translation), section 3, “How to Hone”, Chapter 5, “Edge Finishing” describing a technique where once the razor was at finish level, he lightly jointed the razor on the face of the stone, (1-2mm) to straighten the edge, then brought the bevels to meet the new “straight edge” with high grit stones.

I have been using a modified “Jointing” technique for a while now with excellent success.

My current go to honing regiment is, a Chosera or Nubatama Ume 1K (medium grit), (really liking the Nubatama), a 4/8k Norton, and a 12K super stone.

Once all the 8k stria is removed then joint on the 12k and build a new edge with X laps, then the Sixgun 3-2-1 mambo, (3 forward, 2 back, and 1 forward) on the Guyokomo or 1um and .3um film.

Granted we are talking about nat hair results here, but would be interested in other opinions.

Hone a straight edge… or hone, to a straight edge?