Strange experiment, strange, but pleasing results
'Just finished a full shave with an edge that's only a 2nd experiment with a strange process. You may or may not have read a lengthy thread about variations in the c12k attributes - Glen having tried 4 before getting one that worked well. I got lucky. The thread showed photos of tiger stripe-shaped veins in the stone, saying the better ones seemed to have this. One side of my stone has them, though not uniform or very dense.
I have tried crox on a leather paddle strop & not had much result. What I tried recently (2 blades now), is painting a diamond-shaped grid in crox on the c12k on the side that does not have the black veins. 15 edge-leading strokes on one smiling blade produces good results - good being subjective, but I like smooth a bit more than ultimate sharp. That blade was a soligen 3/4-full hollow with a moderate smile (M.E. Reppenhagen 'Diamondine No.7). The 2nd blade was a Sheffield (Jos. Allen & Sons Non-XLL), which seems like a 1/4 grind. 25 'swooping' (arc) strokes, 30 canvas, 100 leather. The edge was extremely smooth, though prob. less keen, but it is the closest finish I've obtained to the Williams blade finished on the asagi. This finish is what I would give a friend to try who has never held a str8 razor before - extremely friendly, like it knows flesh from stubble & doesn't like cutting flesh. (nothing like personifying an edge!) To yield a bit more bite, simply a bit more time on canvas does it.
The part I find difficult to understand is that both blades were honed w/ tape. The soligen w/ a single layer, refreshed at each stone change, then 20 strokes with a 2nd layer of tape for a final 20 strokes on the c12k fully dry. The J.Allen was done with no tape until the last 20 dry strokes. I would think the tape would have kept the crox from affecting the last bit of edge because the crox strokes, done without tape, would be acting on the primary bevel, rather than the 'micro bevel' induced by the extra layer of tape at the end. But it did change the behavior of the edge - I'd say for the better. 'Seems strange to me, but I'll let someone else argue against good results. If this happens w/ a 3rd blade, I'll be more confident in recommending it. If nothing else, another possible trick to try. Another arrow in the quiver.
Update on 3rd blade w/ crox stone
I was pleased with the affect the pasted stone had on the Genco, which was not honed w/ tape. I gave it 15 more strokes last night & did a test patch on the cheek - had to look to find any stubble that was mow-able at 11hrs growth.
The test patch was as close and smooth as any blade I've taken to face, and the smoothness against the skin while doing so was also that impressive. 3 blades now with this little touch-up process. I'm liking it alot & glad to have the arrow in the quiver.