David Weaver
I took that to mean, is there a chance that the pictures could be scaled differently from each other so that the relative comparison isn't worthwhile.

No, all pictures start the same size and are scaled the same way.

As for the ultimate resolution and could we miss anything at the edge? I don't think so. The most stark thing so far that I've noticed is the wonderful straightness at the edge of the light pressure washita finish compared to most other thing short of the small diamonds and oxides (I'll do those later, but they generally will look nearly the same - nothing visible).

Limited focused depth of field and changes in software gain that I just don't feel like faffing with for each picture are a bigger problem in getting pictures of perfection than the resolution that these are posted at.

When two pictures look almost the same (adding a second japanese natural stone will show that), it's because what they do is almost the same (feels it, leaves a similar surface, etc). Any difference significant enough to be felt will be seen easily on these pictures.

Interestingly, the shapton is very hard on the very edge of an iron, but it's pretty quick. The edge that's shown settles in with some use just fine, but the initial sharpness feel is very transient. I always thought that was just due to wear, but it's probably partially due to the edge having no lateral support where it's ragged. That can be seen now whereas it's a little bit harder to see with a loupe.