My new (almost) all natural progression

Experimenting with some new hones I picked up, I took some micro-pics of the edges:

I am using synthetic stones at the beginning. The razor is a Wyss Imp. It is pictured in the wiki:

Wiss, J & Sons "The Imp" 6/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I had been shaving with it and dulled lightly the edge before starting. I did 10 strokes on each of the synthetics.

I wanted to compare my King Deluxe 1K to my Arashayama 1K. I like the feel of the Arashayama which is similar to the Chocera 2k. I guess you could call it more like a natural. It does feel less gritty that the King, but still does the job.

The King:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ss-king-1k.jpg

Then the Arashayama 1K
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...shayama-1k.jpg

I think the Arashayama seems to be a little more of a consistent performer.

After that, I used the Chocera 2K as my last synthetic stone.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...chocera-2k.jpg

At this point, I switch to naturals. I had been using an Ohira Tomae at this point, but it was smallish. Since I bought this from 330mate, I contacted him and asked for a larger stone. The size 60 stone that came is harder, but I needed to compare the 2 to see if they did the same job. I think it does, but I wanted to compare the performance:

The new stone went 1st. I used 15 strokes.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...-ohira-100.jpg

After this, I did 10 strokes on each stone. Just for comparisonthis is the Ohira Tomae 60 I got off eBay from him.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...0-ohira-60.jpg

I think they are pretty similar.

I then moved on to a new stone that is a Nakayama Tomae semi asagi.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...semi-asagi.jpg

and finished on my Nakayama Asagi semi-Habutae (Namito)
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...yama-asagi.jpg

Comments?

I don't know how to read the pictures, so I've gotta ask - how's the shave? Have you tried shaving at various points in the progression to see how each stone helps? I find doing that to be very interesting indeed.

Is that black spot a hole in the blade? A deep pit?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HNSB

Is that black spot a hole in the blade? A deep pit?

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I would assume that it's a mark from a sharpie or similar to keep track of which part of the blade was being magnified.

During winter, I don't shave, but use the micro as a proxy.

I have been shaving on the vernal equinox for over 30 years. Just in case there are some beings pleased by that - well let's just say at my age, now is no time to start offending them. I don't need no angry spirits after me!

I have good results going Arkansas-Coti-dragonstongue-BBW-Coti-chinese12k