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I am trying to decide which stone is the best for finishing. I have a Escher, Jnat, Ark Surgical Black, chromium oxide block and Suehiro 20k. I realize it depends on the blade but what is your experience with finding the perfect finishing stone? I have found that the Suehiro is the easiest to master and gives repeated good results. For comfort, 5-7 laps on the chromium oxide will give a smoother shave for me.
I,m having a hard time with that question myself, cause in the right hands I've found that my shaves are great off of just about any of the many stones out there. Notice. Say in the right hands. So what is the most consistent for just the average honer? You mentioned the SG20k going to be hard to beat, but I think the steel has something to do with it too. I have some razors that do better stopping at the 12k range. So let the games begin. Tc
There is no such thing as the perfect finishing hone. Guys have been searching for that elusive animal forever and probably always will.
You could spend many thousands on a Japanese Finisher in that quest. Personally I like a good Escher or the Suehiro.Either one gets me what I'm after, a great shave.
For me, after the Naniwa SS 12K, the best finisher is the Charnley Forest. I use it with oil, about 100 X-strokes, no pressure. It gives a very smooth shave, no Crox needed, easy to master.
:boohoo:
I have heard this song before, a long sad tale of love found and lost and many dollars spent :p
Indeed, and as many razors which pass through Glen's hands, the art of which finisher to go with has been learned and likely decided upon early in the honing regimen or by past experience. Razors are different and so are finishers.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Some like different things. Therein lies the challenge of which finisher is perfect.....For what razor!
JMHO
Okay, I think we all agree, take each razor and try different finishers. Wouldn't it be nice to set up a place on this forum that lists the razor and what finisher was used. Then we could try the recommended finisher with the razor and mumble how little the posting guy knows. I would love to hear from our distinguished honemeisters on what they have found success with. The Ark surgical black I just got intrigues me but for speed and performance the Suehiro 20k, chromium oxide or Escher seems to work on most razors.
You seem to be in a good spot for finishers!Quote:
Originally Posted by jkatzman
I just want to get them shaving, so I work between a Naniwa 12k and an Escher.
All get the 12k.....Some get some Escher. Some even get the CroOx! Depends!
You have a nice set of finishers with which to use and compare. Nice problem to have! :tu (if you want it!;))
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkatzman
,,,has been and always will be ,,,, the Coticule. :beer2:
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkatzman
Ahhhhhhhh What a great idea,,, Now not to sound like a smartalec but some of us tried that on the open forum and the threads were flooded by the Fanboys of the various hones, that firmly believe that their one hone, is the end all be all of all hones...
LOL yeah just like thatQuote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
Gotcha John :p
So after dozens of threads many of us finally just gave it up,
Keeping in mind that a certain finisher on a certain razor will get you to let's call it 99% of the best that edge will ever be, it is that last 1% that we all seem to argue about and spend Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo much of our money on...
Anyway,,, that is my story and I am sticking to it :)
Hint: if you go read through the HOTD thread you will find patterns hidden in there :p
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.:lurk:
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