[QUOTE=gssixgun;983123]Actually No, I would not agree, nor would the Voerhaven papers, every Barber Hone maker, nor every Coticule, Thuringen, and Escher instruction sheet out there, and every Vintage Barber's manual... Now if it works for you go for it, but all those sources disagree.. They all show edge leading strokes and the Voerhaven papers explain why pretty well..

I am not familiar with all the sources that you are citing, but I am sure they are credible. It is interesting to note that the Japanese blade masters use both a leading and stropping stroke (forward then back) for all grit levels. Their technique certainly has stood the test of time yielding some of the sharpest blades on earth. But both the barbers of old and the Japanese achieved an excellent edge through many varied techniques. As you have stated the attention to touch and consistency is so important to achieving this goal.

Today we have the benefit of SEM that has helped to remove some of the guess work and mysticism associated with sharpening. This has led to superb DE and other modern razors blades. It is interesting to note that the highly automated sharpening process for DE's grinds in the stropping direction rather than using the more aggressive edge leading geometry.

In fact, your commentary has made me think of an experiment. Could a razor be completely sharpened using ONLY stropping strokes? Perhaps I will try that sometime. I think it may be possible, but will no doubt take much longer than edge leading strokes.