I've used the Nodachi a few more times since I last posted and, contrary to the opinion on here, I think I've gotta let this one go! It's just not working well for me.
Used it earlier on (Nodachi top cap and base plate, Masamune handle) with a Feather blade on its first use. Immediately felt some drag there. It just doesn't feel smooth to me at all. I finished the face and then popped the blade into my GC .84 just for fun, took that to my neck and I immediately got that real glide and smoothness. The hairs just melted off.
I'm not sure what the problem is. I can't rule out operator error, but I've tried a few different blades, pressure and angle changes and nothing seems to get me that beautifully smooth shave you good chaps are getting. Maybe it's just my weird face being weird, or maybe the matte finish is disagreeing with my coarse whiskers.
Sad as it's a beautiful razor that obviously works great for 99% of people who use it. I just seem to be falling into that minority who can't get along with it.