Thread: Best finishing hone

There is no perfect finisher. Some people like very sharp edges which come from the likes of Suehiro 20k or diamond film. Some people find those edges to be too keen, so they prefer something more "smoot" at the expense of a little bit less keenness like a J-Nat edge or an Escher/Thuri edge. Some people like their edges finished on CrO or diamond spray. Basically the perfect finisher is a personal preference, and also will depend on the razor being honed.

There's no such thing... User ability, skin types, steel types, and a few other variables render this a real case of apples and oranges

Like I would finish a sheffield on an ark 100/100x vs a Thuri, but I would finish a sheffield on a Thuri 100/100x vs a lune or special stone even when I see them as all being on a similar plane of greatness

Of all the edges I have tried (coticule, synthetic 12k, synthetic 20k, Chinese, JNat, Escher, Arkansas) only one of those stopped me dead in my tracks as it was so sharp and smooth I didn't even think it was cutting because there was no resistance to be felt but it was in fact shaving exceptionally close. Then when applying aftershave absolutely NO BURN. I was simply amazed and have been using it ever since-Arkansas.

For me that's where it is at but then again I am in Love and Love is blind. Romancing the stone. Partial and biased. In denial and loving it. Hey! You asked!

Actually, I have found that MY finishing hones are the best!

The problem with this debate is there is no answer. It all comes down to personal preference. There are so many variables for the end result which is the shave for each individual. If it were as simple as use x,y and z for the best edge, we all would be there. I would venture to guess that 20 years from now there will be a post asking the same question. Good reading for sure.

Well, I have some test results. I honed a Genco, Puma, Double Duck, Wade & Butcher and an Aust. Since they were already sharpened using Naniwa 5k and 12k stones I wanted to see what happens when using an Escher, Suehiro 20k and chromium oxide. I then did 25 laps on an English leather modular strop. The older blades seemed to really respond to the Escher under running water. The Aust was much better using the 20k or chromium oxide. I really liked the smooth shave on the older blades. I just completed testing the Genco and Puma with my Black surgical Ark and it wasn't as good as the Escher. I want to clarify this by saying I got the Ark 2 weeks ago from Dan's and burnished it until it is smooth as glass. I think my test results are more because I am still learning on it. It is apparent to me the older steel relates better to the older stone. Your test results may vary so don't take this as the Gospel.

The best finisher is the final stropping on my leather strop, enough said!

I think the best finisher depends on the honer's skill set. Someone who has spent years perfecting their skills can choose the best finisher for steel. A beginner should start at an 8k synth and/or a 12k depending on keenness comfort level. Only then work towards naturals. Right now, a 12k or Vermio is excellent for me. Although, if I can master a coticule, that might be best..... for me. YMMV and if getting something honed, go with the honer's suggestion

As said before, your finish is a highly personal thing
there is no universal best finisher, it's nothing but a subjective personal preference
But in order to find out, you gotta try some of the possibilities
I've only tried the Naniwa 12K, Escher and Coticule as finishers and made a choice which one I like the most