Quote Originally Posted by JohnG10 View Post
I hear that the Chineese 12K takes 50 laps to polish the edge, but the Naniwa only needs 10-15 laps. Can you make 50 good strokes with no pressure ?
Realistically, I don't think this is as big of an issue as some make it out to be. If you CAN'T do 50 good strokes, then the odds are good that you can't do 10 good strokes either, and vice versa.

If someone is honing a bunch of razors, the high stroke requirement can be problematic. However, if a guy is just maintaining a few razors, the high stroke requirement is superfluous--about the same time it takes to strop every day. If your time is THAT valuable, then it's likely you are not going to bother with a straight anyway.

Don't consider this as my endorsing the Chinese hone. I think any of the options you are considering will be just fine with practice.