Thread: Picking A Japanese Hone

Here are two hones I am currently playing with at the moment. On the left is a Nakayama Asagi (1061 grams, 200mm x 107mm x 35mm) I bought from a gentleman in Hawaii. On the left is a Shoubudani Asagi (811 grams, 195mm x 70mm x 27mm) I purchased from a gentleman in Netherland.
My dilemma is trying to pick just one to keep. So far I have shave tested the Nakayama on 3 razors, the Shoubudani on 2. Honestly, I can't quite tell which is superior yet, only time will tell. Or maybe Stefan will tell me. Both feel extremely smooth to the touch, and to the steel.
My suspicions are that the Nakayama is softer but finer than the Shoubudani. The shape is also awkward at first but works out just fine with X strokes. If I lapped it down a bit more I would have even more surface area. Whereas the Shoubudani is the classic brick shape which might make using naguras via JimR's method a little easier.
I think I'm just going to have to stick to one razor (Oh MY!) for a while, and hone, shave, hone, shave with each to determine which stone is easier, faster, smoother, more versitile... this will be fun.
I have many thoughts about these hones, but I finally got a chance to photograph them and share them with some friends. Enjoy!