Thread: Coticule and Chinese 12k w/ Nagura Stone?

I wondered if anyone uses a Nagura Stone with their Coticule or Chinese 12k? Anyone have experiences to share? I understand that the Nagura provides a chalky glide instead of the fast-cutting slurry of the Cotigura. I have tried the Nagura and these high grit stones but I'm not sure what I think yet. It hasn't seemed too helpful yet.

Originally Posted by DEwey

I wondered if anyone uses a Nagura Stone with their Coticule or Chinese 12k? Anyone have experiences to share? I understand that the Nagura provides a chalky glide instead of the fast-cutting slurry of the Cotigura. I have tried the Nagura and these high grit stones but I'm not sure what I think yet. It hasn't seemed too helpful yet.

Hey Dewey!

I have tried the Nagura stone on the Chinese 12K and didn't care for it. I've been using a small Arkansas fine super hard stone. It works great. I just happened to have one laying around and tried it for grins and giggles. I'm glad I did.

Hey Ken -
Are you using the Arkansas as a rubbing stone or that's just your preferred hone at the moment? How does that compare to a translucent?
Thanks!

No I have not used a Nagura stone on either of these and do not plan to. When I get to these really high grit finishing stones I am not looking to make them cut more quickly because my edge is already very smooth and sharp at this point. The smoother the cutting action of these stones the better for me, and all the evidence seems to indicate that the stones leave a smoother scratch pattern when used with just plain water. I do use rubbing stones to refresh the surface of my finishing stones (coticule and escher) from time to time to extend the amount of time between lappings on the DMT.

Originally Posted by DEwey

Hey Ken -
Are you using the Arkansas as a rubbing stone or that's just your preferred hone at the moment? How does that compare to a translucent?
Thanks!

Hey DEwey,

The Arkansas stone is only the rubbing stone. I am able hone very quickly with the Norton 1K/4K/8K then then Chinese 12K stones and finish on Chr. Ox pastes. I'm able to knock out 5-8 razors in just a couple of hours and not feel rushed. So it would take a lot for me to switch systems.

I've started paddle strop production this week. I hope to have some ready on my web site on Monday.

I use the nagura stone to make a light slurry on my kitayama 12K and it's excellent for my uses.
I know that's not a chinese 12k, but it does work.

I have found the same.

The nagura on a natural japanese stone improves the polishing action and reduces the cutting action.

I tried putting a nagura slurry on my coticule but it adds nothing. I think the nagura clay slurry is overpowered by the coticule grit.

The coticule is a lot harder a hone than the japanese water stones.

Anyway, that was my limited experience.

Interesting, my Chinese 12k is A LOT harder than my coticule. I was reading another source that said the nagura produces a cushioning slurry but not an aggressive slurry like the coticule rubbed with a piece of coticule.

I was to understand that the Nagura needs to be from the same or harder stone to produce an efficient slurry. I was surprised when I was given a different stone as a Nagura which produces a slurry from itself rather than from the actual hone and changes the whole effect of things, so I don't use a slurry.

I think that could be half the problems others have encountered, using an inappropriate Nagura for the inappropriate hone.

That is just my opinion and as usual YMMV.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

I was to understand that the Nagura needs to be from the same or harder stone to produce an efficient slurry. I was surprised when I was given a different stone as a Nagura which produces a slurry from itself rather than from the actual hone and changes the whole effect of things, so I don't use a slurry.

I think that could be half the problems others have encountered, using an inappropriate Nagura for the inappropriate hone.

That is just my opinion and as usual YMMV.

I do believe you have hit on something. That why I think I went to the super hard small Arkansas stone as a prep stone on my 12K Chinese. I wasn't happy with what the results from the regular Nagura when I tried on the 12K.