Thread: Does anyone NOT like Nakayama Edges?

I'm curious...people talk about the Nakayama stones like they're magical, and of course they are supposed to make fantastic edges...but does anyone not like the edge they get off a Nakayama (or other Japanese Natural)?

I've heard some people like Coticule edges and some don't...And Bart says that a good Coti edge feels the same as a good Nakayama edge to him. So...does anyone not fit the Nakayama?

And, can someone tell me what a Nakayama edge feels like to them? I know it's probably hard to put into words...but I'm curious about the experiences.

Originally Posted by JimR

I'm curious...people talk about the Nakayama stones like they're magical, and of course they are supposed to make fantastic edges...but does anyone not like the edge they get off a Nakayama (or other Japanese Natural)?

I've heard some people like Coticule edges and some don't...And Bart says that a good Coti edge feels the same as a good Nakayama edge to him. So...does anyone not fit the Nakayama?

And, can someone tell me what a Nakayama edge feels like to them? I know it's probably hard to put into words...but I'm curious about the experiences.

JimR,

I'm a novice to honing (having only used a Chinese 12k, Shapton 16k & 30K prior to getting my Kiita), but the Nakayama has made a vast improvement to the smoothness of my edges. I've never had any problem getting a sharp edge, but they seemed harsher than my Kiita edge. It's just more comfortable (an improvement over good). In fact, I skip the paste now completely.

I'd actually be interested in getting others just to see the variance.

I LOVE them. And wish i could buy more

I've got a Maruka Nakayama Asagi and like the edges off of it, but don't think it is magical or anything - they're comparable to the S30k edges in my estimation, and a bit better than a good coticule or escher edge. However, it's easier to get that level of edge from a Nakayama than it is from a S30, which is in turn easier to get that edge than from a coticule or escher. I've got a lot more experience with my S30k than with my Nakayama though. I'll generally recommend the S30 before I'll recommend the Nakayama just because the Shapton is more readily available, still being made, and has very consistent quality from hone to hone.

sigh. One day I'll know what you all are talking about.
In the mean time I should become proficient with the hones I have.
I've read mention in these forums that it's not the tools, it's the skills.
I would also say that the skills can earn the tools.
Same thing with those beautiful Kanoyama strops. I should learn how to not gouge the strop I have...

Not a Nakayama but I like the edge off my Oohira stone, I just think it's a mid stone though. If I use the coti after it the shave is just fantastic. Soon I'll have a J finisher and I'm sure I'll love it

What about just stropping on 5 cents worth of ChromOx?

Originally Posted by matt321

What about just stropping on 5 cents worth of ChromOx?

That's funny? I don't remember asking about strops...

And on review of this thread, I see that I didn't.

It is hard to describe the edge off my Asagi. And it does depend on the steel a bit. But pretty much every edge off it is like wiping my face with a fluffy pillow. Or maybe a baby duck, or chicken. Sometimes it does not even feel like I am touching my face with the razor at all. Yes, that's it. The Nakayama edge is like straight razor air hockey!

James.

Part of the reason for my ambivalence between the Nakayama and the alternatives is that if I really want to get a really superb edge I'll finish with newspaper. But at that point the choice of nakayama/coticule/escher/shapton/spyderco really has very little to do with the resulting edge, no more than which 4k or 8k hone to use. And if I do skip the newspaper then it still doesn't matter a whole lot, since within a week whatever edge was on the razor has been replaced by the edge the linen/cotton/jute/seatbelt has put on the razor, so even then the choice of finishing stone only matters for those first few shaves, and not at all for the next hundred or so.