Ideally I'm looking for feedback from those who have experience honing with stones as well as honing with pastes (diamond, chrome ox, boron carbide, etc).
Here are my questions:
- Not factoring in edge longevity, do you find that pastes can give you a perfect balance of sharpness and shaving comfort?The only finishing hone I have to compare to is the Chinese 12k I bought from you, but so far, I do like the pastes better than the hone as far as comfort and sharpness. If so, what grits to you usually use and what are the pastes applied to?1.0, .50, .25 on a paddle strop. Lot's of guys say that the .25 diamond is too harsh, but I haven't seen it yet.
- What do you like about pastes or what advantages to you see that they have over stones/hones?They are much easier to use and less punishing if you should have a bad stroke, and I have yet to "overhone" on a paste
- What don't you like about pastes over stones/hones?So far, nothing.
- Are you or do you know of anyone past or present that was accomplished with hones/stones and actually abandoned them to use pastes exclusively for their razor care?Nope. :)
- Do you feel using pastes is "cheating"? and if so, why?No. As long as the result is a sharp, comfortable edge, whatever method you used to get there is valid, IMO.
Thanks guys.
Chris L