[OLD_SCHOOL]

What is OLD_SCHOOL's preferred Japanese hone?

This question was asked of me the other day and it is an interesting one. As I and others have said, no two natural hones are the same.
That said however, I do have a few preferred hones for different razors.

For Japanese razors, I prefer to use a Nakayama Asagi hone. It seems to give a better and lasting edge over other hones.
For carbon steel razors, I prefer to use a Nakayama hone with Nashiji. Nashiji aides with faster cutting, which is what I prefer.
For silver steel razors, I use a Nakayama Karasu hone. Karasu does work with all hones, but I find that with carbon steel razors tend not to hold an edge very long coming off the Karasu. The feedback and use of this particular hone is on a whole different level from other Japanese hones, and as such, I would not recommend this type of hone to newbies.

I haven't yet honed a stainless steel razor so am not sure which would be best for this job.

These are the conclusions I have made, during my limited experience of using said hones, but YMMV.

[hoglahoo]

I can't wait to win the hone you're giving away for your anniversary.

But I guess I'll have to, for formality's sake wink wink

I wonder what it is about the Karuso that hasn't put very long-lasting edges on your carbon steel razors.

[kevint]

Hello.

would you mind to add some time frame to clarify more precisely what you mean when you say one stone provides a more lasting edge? I think that would be very helpful.

I am curious because:
it sounds like you are clasifying all carbon steel western razors in one group, sliver steel, and japanese in other broad groups.

it's really hard for me to get a feel for what's best for a single razor as it might be 3, 6, 12 months before it needs honed again, and I just haven't been shaving with a straight for all that long.

As an example, a plane or chisel may need to be sharpened many many times in a day, just depending on what i'm doing or how long i'm working. In that it is just by sheer volume that I find it possible as a hobbyist to get a feel for which stones or combination seem to work better.

Naturals are so very interesting, what's the difference this one to that as individual examples, or same strata from different locations, when they were they cut

and then when you get a stone-how many different ways to use it, what steel it cuts best on and on and on.

[Kees]

Interesting observations, OLD_SCHOOL!

Can you tell me what Nashiji is?

[OLD_SCHOOL]

Originally Posted by kevint

Hello.

would you mind to add some time frame to clarify more precisely what you mean when you say one stone provides a more lasting edge? I think that would be very helpful.

I am curious because:
it sounds like you are clasifying all carbon steel western razors in one group, sliver steel, and japanese in other broad groups.

My beard is very tough and coarse, I find that a carbon steel razor honed on Karasu will barely see out 1 shave. I determine that as not a lasting edge.

I wasn't classifying into groups intentionally, but I see what you mean. I have the luxury of being able to chop and change to see which hone works best on what razor.

[OLD_SCHOOL]

Originally Posted by Kees

Interesting observations, OLD_SCHOOL!

Can you tell me what Nashiji is?

Nashiji and other info.

[kevint]

sorry OS I don't know the meaning of chop and change.

1 shave per honing? is it just me or does that sound unusual regardless of hone- clearly one that is sharp enough to begin with? me thinks it not the beard nor hone but maybe a bad razor??

[OLD_SCHOOL]

Originally Posted by kevint

sorry OS I don't know the meaning of chop and change.

1 shave per honing? is it just me or does that sound unusual regardless of hone- clearly one that is sharp enough to begin with? me thinks it not the beard nor hone but maybe a bad razor??

Chop and change is a saying, it refers to having many of something the going from one to the other, to the other and back again. Like people who chop and change their mind. I want a beer, no I'll have a martini, no wait make that a scotch on the rocks. That make sense? I hope so.

It would have to be a bad bunch of razors. Thing is they last better off a different hone, for me.
In some posts I have made here and there, you may see that even feather blades don't last long against my beard, as opposed to suggested blade life expectancy.

[hoglahoo]

this one?
message too short??? no it isn't all I wanted to include was the link. I hate when machines tell me what's right and what's wrong :P