Thread: The almighty Naniwa 12k

Originally Posted by joelkerr

You're absolutely right, it's been a while since I concentrated on the 8k, it would almost certainly help to go back to it. The reason I moved on, however, is that even with blades that came back from professional honemeisters, I was not always able to complete a comfortable 3-pass BBS shave, and the ATG on the upper lip was always the most problematic part. That last little bit essentially serves as my personal litmus test as to whether or not I'm 100% satisfied with an edge.

With my own honing, I only moved on past the 8k when I was able to pretty consistently get what I would describe as a 2-pass DFS. But I'm one of those guys who is always chasing the BBS, hence the thuris and now the 12k.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Ah, gotcha. There's always the fact that different people's faces like different things as well. At 8K I can shave wtg, xtg, and atg anywhere I need to and moving on to a natural is just to make the shave more gentle on my skin. It's sensitive and even after nearly 5 years of straight shaving won't tolerate more than 2 passes.

Firstly, I don't think the average gent's face was made to handle more than a 2-pass shave without some level of irritation. Enough with the sensitive skin negativity. Simply admire all those tough-skinned dudes out there who manage 3-pass BBS shaves. I figure they've gotta be out there, but I have yet to meet one (BobH, as a mentor, doesn't count).

Oh, and for me, while I too was chasing the perfect edge over the years (4/8k -> 12k -> 20k), my BBS shaves really didn't arrive until my shaving skills and awareness of my growth patterns joined up equally. Especially my neck just behind the chin, I struggled get that area BBS due to sideways growth. A few years ago, I realized that I could shave sideways / ATG with my left/off hand starting clear over on the right side of my neck and scything my way leftward clear over to the left side of that portion of my neck. Sideways scything the neck?!? I am pretty certain I would've thought that stroke nearly impossible for me to accomplish during my first few years SR shaving.

Naniwa 12k seems the epitome of the good edge. JMO.

Things get sharp! Lower the spine!

Originally Posted by joelkerr

I almost took the plunge on an entry level Jnat, and had even chosen a vendor. But after discussing honing with the vendor, he told me I wasn't ready for a Jnat yet.

I am curious, what makes one ready for a Jnat? According to the vendor of course.

Originally Posted by alex1921

I am curious, what makes one ready for a Jnat? According to the vendor of course.

I'm not sure, specifically, but I think it seemed obvious to him that I needed a lot more knowledge about Jnats first, as well as more experience with razor honing in general.

Originally Posted by Speedster

Firstly, I don't think the average gent's face was made to handle more than a 2-pass shave without some level of irritation. Enough with the sensitive skin negativity. Simply admire all those tough-skinned dudes out there who manage 3-pass BBS shaves. I figure they've gotta be out there, but I have yet to meet one (BobH, as a mentor, doesn't count).

Oh, and for me, while I too was chasing the perfect edge over the years (4/8k -> 12k -> 20k), my BBS shaves really didn't arrive until my shaving skills and awareness of my growth patterns joined up equally. Especially my neck just behind the chin, I struggled get that area BBS due to sideways growth. A few years ago, I realized that I could shave sideways / ATG with my left/off hand starting clear over on the right side of my neck and scything my way leftward clear over to the left side of that portion of my neck. Sideways scything the neck?!? I am pretty certain I would've thought that stroke nearly impossible for me to accomplish during my first few years SR shaving.

Wasn't meant to be negative! I was just illustrating the fact that different faces are, well...different. And sensitive skin is what led me to straight razors. One pass with some clean up spot-shaving leaves me with no in grown hair, no razor burn, and a closer shave than I ever got with any janky disposable razor. Believe me when I say I am %100 positive and happy with those results. And I can still do a 3 pass BBS for date night, I just have to give the face a few day's rest before it meets the blade again.

And I agree, scything strokes can work miracles. I use them in several places when I'm trying to get a particularly close shave. There's a lot to be said for technique and experience whether we're talking about sharpening, stropping, or shaving.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Wasn't meant to be negative! I was just illustrating the fact that different faces are, well...different. And sensitive skin is what led me to straight razors. One pass with some clean up spot-shaving leaves me with no in grown hair, no razor burn, and a closer shave than I ever got with any janky disposable razor. Believe me when I say I am %100 positive and happy with those results. And I can still do a 3 pass BBS for date night, I just have to give the face a few day's rest before it meets the blade again.

And I agree, scything strokes can work miracles. I use them in several places when I'm trying to get a particularly close shave. There's a lot to be said for technique and experience whether we're talking about sharpening, stropping, or shaving.

Yeah, just my poor attempt at humor, Marshal. Despite all these different faces, beards, etc., I still hold to my theory that most men have sensitive skin when it comes to their faces / shaving...which is why more should take up the SR.

That was the reason I took up the straight, 30 some years ago. But I've put up all my synthetics but my 1000 Chosera, for Nats. Just as keen, but much smoother.

It really comes down to techniques, and mapping, IMO

Originally Posted by outback

That was the reason I took up the straight, 30 some years ago. But I've put up all my synthetics but my 1000 Chosera, for Nats. Just as keen, but much smoother.

It really comes down to techniques, and mapping, IMO

+1 My experience too as far as the honing part goes. After 3 passes the AS doesn’t even burn. Maybe it’s all scar tissue by now?

Originally Posted by outback

That was the reason I took up the straight, 30 some years ago. But I've put up all my synthetics but my 1000 Chosera, for Nats. Just as keen, but much smoother.

It really comes down to techniques, and mapping, IMO

Yes, synthetic hones can/do leave a harsh edge at times. I found that a good stropping on a felt hanging strop sprayed/pasted with Crox tames the harsh edge. So that could be an alternative too.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, synthetic hones can/do leave a harsh edge at times. I found that a good stropping on a felt hanging strop sprayed/pasted with Crox tames the harsh edge. So that could be an alternative too.

Bob

Been there, done that, just not for me.
Don't even bother with Cr/Ox, anymore.

From hone to lead pasted strop, then lots of leather from 3 different strops. ( heavy to fast draw ). Like shaving with a marshmallow. YMMV