Confession: best results on diamond
Ok, let me start by saying that I'm not proud. I have recently found, after trying everything I could, that my best honing was achieved on diamond psa strips.
I suspect this is because of bad technique or inferior stones, or both. I am convinced that the Norton 8k or my coticule or my phig should give me a wicked edge, but I can't quite get there.
My bevel setting on King 1200 seems slow or imperfect, I can improve the bevel with work (usually Japanese front/back honing strokes), but can only get to a hazy bevel and slightly rounded edge, it seems. Like the slurry is fighting back against my cutting edge. But the diamond cuts positively, and polishes up to mirror (on 15, 5, 1, and 0.5 micron psa). Granted, after diamond, i seem to need a crox strop and then leather. While there's probably nothing wrong with that, I feel like I am cheating.
Can anyone tell me whether a small shuobudani and nagura set are likely to improve my perception/experience? Partly, I have HAD, and partly I can't tell if I am limited by finishing technique or stones, especially on this fat wedgy bastard. And partly, I am not sure my stones are up to the job of optimizing this wedgy blade.
I thought I was over the hone wall! But only when I cheat!