Thread: Picking A Japanese Hone

Originally Posted by bassguy

I thought about that, as I have never shaved without stropping on leather at least 60 laps.

Also, if the edges end up the exact same after stropping (if stropping has some equalizing effect that "contaminates" your "data"), then I figure you can basically pick the stones based on some other category, like cost or aesthetic appeal.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I don't see any benefit in not stropping prior to the evaluation. The shave test might as well replicate actual use.

IMHO you get better feel of the stone if you do not strop.

Oh dear!, I would absolutely get rid of the Nakayama Asagi. I just happen to have a little extra space in my shave den and would certainly be more than happy to take it off your hands and help rid you of this frustrating decision.

ARE YOU KIDDING KEEP THE NAKAYAMA!

Originally Posted by heirkb

That does sound like a pretty good way to do it but what do I know? You shave every couple of days right? I bet it'll be tough to hone a razor and then have to wait to test it out...at least it is for me, lol

The trick might be to do the same test, but instead of waiting a day to shave and trying to recall the shave you might considering doing one side of your face, rehoning, and then doing the other. That would be a fair comparison. Also, I agree with the notion of not stropping. You already have too many variables. Don't introduce another one, especially after honing.

I admit I am taking a very beginner's mind approach to this test. For the past 2.5 hours I have been working on the same Joseph Elliot wedge, taking it from chipped edge to slaying arm hair like Darth Vader. I honed it as I normally would, finishing on the 12k reaching an acceptable edge by my amateurish standards, watching closely with a loupe every 10 laps to see what was happening on the edge and bevel.

On a whim I grabbed the Shoubudani and whipped up a milky slurry with my (poor, tired, abused) DMT Course plate. 30 laps produced a nice haze on the bevel and increased the sharpness considerably, but nothing phenomenal. I rinsed the slurry off and did 30 more strokes with just water. Sharper still, more delicate haze. Great! Let's do it again!

I wiped off the haze with 10~ strokes on the Naniwa which took it back down to acceptably sharp. I proceeded in the same manner, 30~ strokes with slurry on the Nakayama. Not surprisingly the slurry was different on each stone, more whitish on the Nakayama and more tan colored on the Shoubudani. Great results, the haze produced was deeper blue, only way I can describe it. The edge as back up to pinnacle peakness. I rinsed the stone of slurry and did 30~ strokes water only. This put the edge in an amazing state for sure, arm hairs litter my kitchen floor as proof. Stropping this razor knocked my socks off. I rarely get this excited about Sheffield steel, if at all.

But what does it all mean!?! Stay tuned.

I'm really interested on your thoughts on the Nakiyama Asagi. I just picked one up on ebay. I was looking for something to use as a final finishing stone to use after a Shapton Ceramic Pro 12000 and it seemed to fit the bill.

It is my understanding that no two stones from the same place and of the same color will have the same sharpening or polishing properties. I'm learning that it is best to spend a lot of time with a stone to see what it is capable of.

check the scratch pattern on the blade that will tell you which stone is finer

Originally Posted by mainaman

IMHO you get better feel of the stone if you do not strop.

If you strop and shave test and there are any differences however minute, you should be able to detect them. If for the sake of discovery you are evaluating the edges first microscopically, that should not prevent the stropping and shave testing. The hard part will be the differences between different razors. I have tried several Asagi's and have kept one as well and it is truly one of my favorite stones. My Ohzuku doesn't beat it out by much.

Good luck,

Lynn