I rather enjoyed this thread !!
There is a ton of info packed in here,,,I didn't realize that you guys were using so many slightly different techniques...
I do mean "slightly" here, just tiny little tweaks each or you do, I find that very interresting...
Zib you were right I do use every one of those stones when using the Naniwa SS's I do the same with the Shapton set, just seems to work out very well for my style to take many smaller steps...
The only thing I could add to this actual thread though, is that for me, I have found that the Naniwa SS's can be rather deceiving when it comes to many of the same sharpness tests I use on the other stones.. They impart a very SMOOTH edge as you are honing, that I feel is a bit smoother than other sets at those same lower levels...
When I first got my NSS set I couldn't get anything to pop or feel right in the middle so I was backing up a ton, until I finally just pushed through to the end and realized that my sharpness tests didn't work quite the same...
Now I am used to it, but it took quite a few razors before I learned the difference for me...
Now I am heading to the Honing Alter and putting a very nice Filarmonica through the Naniwas :D can't wait for the test shave...