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Ok here's the deal.I 've been using a straight for almost two years using a Norton 4/8 and an SRD modular paddle to touch up my four razors with Crox .5 and diamond spray .5.This has worked great for me.Would the Naniwa 12k stone be a step up or just different?I'm thinking long term.
Imo a step up. It leaves a great finish the 12k. The crox can be used after as well if you want .
I've never been a fan of pastes (tried a CrOx and diamond) and just never really liked the edges they gave. CrOx is better than diamond IMHO (less harsh a finish), but still not as good as a hone.
I'd say the 12k is a step up as well..! :)
Try it just going from the stone direct to strop then test shave, and if that doesnt quite get you there then try some CrOx after the stone and before the strop.
TBH though, I dont think you'll need any paste after the 12k.
Edward,
Its awkward to put a good stone in opposition to your preferred pastes & sprays.
Its certainly doable to rely on abrasives after a quality 8k finish - but notice how the abrasive - even here - are simply giving a nice finishing touch on what *must* be good stone work. They're in addition to, not instead of good stone work.
If you'd like to test drive the Nani edge, shoot a couple blades my way (pm for detail) and I'll gladly send back w/ a Nani 12 edge. Try the edge as is, then try one with *very few* strokes on your abrasives of choice. See that your face likes.
Ed,
It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. First all are polisher, the 12k is… 12K, Chrome Ox and .5 Diamond are 30K, though each different in edge polishing. A 30K strop does not give you a 30k edge unlike a stone. Which brings up an interesting question, what is the edge if all the stria is removed from a bevel with paste? I don’t know, though they are comfortable and keen. But I digress… not to hijack your thread.
If your edge is fine, no damage you can maintain it indefinitely with paste, if you need a touch up because of damage the 12k may do it, then paste for comfort. It depends on the damage.
The 12K while a great stone is not necessarily a step up in polishing, from Chrome Ox or .5 Diamond. That said, YMMV because there are variable with paste and honing for that matter.
My experience is that .5 Diamond will give you sharpness and Chrome Ox will calm and smooth it some as you have apparently discovered. In order of keenness and comfort, I would rate the 12K, then .5 Diamond then Chrome Oxide.
The next level would be Cerium Oxide or .125 CBN for comfort and keenness if you are looking for a bit more comfort and keenness. Going from .5 Chrome Oxide 30K to .125 CBN 120K is a big jump so some extra laps may be required, 5-6 laps may not get you where you want to be, and that is the result or lack of results many experience with high grit CBN. I shave off a .125 or .10 CBN edge daily, no leather.
The thing about making recommendations on pasting for comfort is that we all have different equipment, skill levels, hair/beard growth/coarseness and skin type and sensitivity.
What works for me, may not work for you or anyone else, hence the YMMV qualification.
Have Fun, there are many roads.
Thanks for all the input guys,and the offer pinklather I may just do that.It sounds like the 12k would be a good piece to add to my set.
You should definitely take him up on that. The ONLY way to now if it is a step up, down or sideways for your face is to try.Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwardd
Personally I cannot stand diamond stropped edges on my face, but there are enough fans for me to realize that different faces have different preferences.
From my experience I finished 2 razors(pumas) on a good barber hone(dubl duck8-10k) then pasted vs same razor finished on esher then pasted you get a better edge of a higher stone, the nani then the same paste progression should result in a better edge. Of coure yrmv. I would take pinklather up on his offer and compare to a razor of roughly equal that you have left with current edge.
Talking with friend today I found out he uses the Norton 4/8 and nani 12k on his chisel's,and yes he keeps them lapped flat.Long story short I tried the 12k and yes it makes a much smoother edge so I will be getting one.That is,when the tax refund comes in this next winter.Till then the 8k edge is just fine.Thanks again all for the input!
how many strokes would you use to touch up an edge?
20 laps on the 8k,10 laps on the 12k,and 5 laps on CrOx paste.This was on a blade I deliberately dulled with butcher paper.Keep in mind I also have a control razor for comparison
Thought I would resurrect this.
Last night I disassembled my 2" srd latigo hanging strop and applied spray crox to the poly side and let dry. Put it back together and took my "control" razor to it since I am most familiar with it. All I can say is why did I wait. My 12k naniwa produces a consistent smooth edge, the crox made it better. The edge is smoother and sharper. I think I may have had 2 shaves on it before pasted stropping it.
Given its only one shave but, it feels like that missing extra little something. I'm not sure why it took so long but I am glad that I waited. I have got a lot of miles on my finisher and hit a plateau with my edges, a plateau I think I would have not found had I used a pasted strop earlier. I'm not saying that I have learned all there is to honing, just that I needed to feel like I could do better in order to have the drive to continue to learn and practice.
Anyways a little shout out to ecormier who suggested trying a crox pasted balsa strop while in chat a few days ago. I went the hanging strop route just because it was there and I didn't have to go into the shop and joint something.
Now if only my beard would grow faster......
Just wanted to to add that I pulled the strop slightly more taut than I do for regular stropping and did 10 laps and tried popping some hairs, another 10 and popped some more hairs, then another 10. At 20 laps the edge seemed just as sharp as 30 guessing the sweet spot is some where around 10-15 if that razor had come directly off the hones.