+1 here too :tu
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OK, took gssixgun's advice and honed an already sharp Genco and a Dovo Bismarck. The Dovo I just could not get a smooth shave with it. I reset the bevel on a Naiwa 1k traditional stone, Naniwa 5k, 12k and this time I used the Ark after the 12k. Did 100 laps on the ark and shaved with it no strop. Wow are they shaving smooth. I was going to send out the Dovo to get it honed but not now. I compared the 2 razors bevel to others I have honed and noticed on the Ark razors how much smoother the bevel is under a glass. Can't wait to use my Jnat then the Ark. Thanks all for your advice.
Yep, I was also going to suggest moving to the Ark off the 12K and shaving without stropping to see what sort of edge the Ark provides.
I find that a properly burnished Ark does smooth edges out well. I doubt it removes much metal at all, but whatever it does, I like the results. The edges also seem to hold up better than some other hones for me, but that's very subjective and I will not insist that this observation is true.
Yup simplify, no point going from a Jnat finisher to an Ark finisher. Your Jnat is a finisher? Just because it’s a Jnat, doesn’t mean it’s a finisher.
Because hard Arks are polishers, you do need a refined edge, or do a lot of laps. So after the 12k super stone, strop on linen and leather then go to the Ark, strop on leather and shave.
A micro bevel, also works well with hard burnished arks, just add an extra layer of tape.
All the finishers these guys have mentioned will probably put a laser edge on your razor. I have shaved off of a Norton 8K (awesome hone) by the way! I use the Arkansas stones. I prefer the translucent for a finisher. I don't have a microscope to look at the razor's edge with so I use the next best thing. Mennen after shave it's cheap some where around $ 1.99 :rofl2: It is made with battery acid, Kerosene, and alcohol! Just kidding ! Out of all the good stones and hones you got this stuff will pick the winner. The one with the least amount of burn wins. :)
Haha! An alum block works pretty good for that test too.