Thread: first iwasaki shave

OK....I honed my Iwasaki on my Naniwa 12k. I did a 10/1 ratio. about 40 on the omote and 4-5 on the ura. Then 30 laps on nylon and 60 on leather on my SRD English bridal. Passed a HHT on the tip middle and heal. Now to the face. wow what a difference. No pulling. A very comfortable shave today. thanks to all for your help.

Recently received an Iwasaki as a gift. Am new to straight shaving.Have shaved about 6 times with a professionally honed used straight. Bought thr Norton starter kit and honed 2 other old dogs that now shave nice. Iwasaki- shaved with it 4 times now. sharp from the get go but I believe that it could be sharper. First time, stropped first on my Filly stop and then hot water shave with the Omote side. A couple of small nicks, did not mind, an enjoyable styptic use. Am left hand dominant, second hot water shave with mostly the Ura. Again, couple of small nicks, still did not mind, had to laugh with the styptic fire. Third hot water shave, used combination of Omote and Ura, three sepatate passes, more small nicks, nothing serious, probably a good little blood letting, still laughing. Been stropping before each shave, varying 20 to 50 strokes on Filly. I would like to run the iwasaki over the 8k norton, am still hesitant to. Tonight, I first used the back side of the Filly, 8 strokes over the green .5 chromium oxide embedded rough side of the strop, followed by 40 strokes on the smooth side of filly. Cold water shaved with the Omote side and only nicked myself 1 time. 2 passes, 1 wtg, 1 across the grain. Overall, the shave was better. I would still like to try a 12 k hone to see if this would refine the sharpness even more. Don't own one yet and am still unsure about taking the Iwasaki to the 8 k. The .5 chromium oxide was an improvement, I think that the cold water shave helped too. Good luck with your dilemma and let me know how you make out. If you do decide to hone, post the technique and the results. thanks