Quote Originally Posted by pinklather View Post
I tried two blades w/ the slurry the consistence of 2% milk, then 1%. Not appreciable difference. Smooth is there no matter what (this is really good IME). Keenness is more elucive.

So I tried water only. Okay Keen is back. Strop, shave: yes its sharp, but dang smooth. Went back & re-finished the Vom Cleff, Dovo, and Ontario - same thing - really sharp, really smooth. This is good. The only blade that wouldn't respond to the stone was the little Jos. Allen 1/4 grind. Maybe the rock doesn't like sheffields. It LOVEs soligens and US blades (Ontario, Genco).

Another discovery. This is my first 'bout' - a non standard size/shape stone. I'm not used to navigating a stroke around the chips on the sides & ends, so in several cases, I do circles only. It delivers quite nicely, but makes me suspect my stroke sucks. On the harder blades (wacker), it takes about 80-120 circles to get the keenness. I haven't tried doing more to see if the circle generated slurry brakes down and give a further dose of keen & smooth.

Shave test - didn't shave this morn so I'd have some real estate to test. No beard prep, just wet, lather, test. 'Made for more 'pull' with the blades, but less than previously finished blades. 'Shaved 15 sections with 11 blades today.

Initial thoughts:
1) this rock is almost as slow as the c12k. Bummer.
2) I don't have enough experience to make valid observations about it's other qualities, but sharp and smooth with no slurry is good, though unexpected. Most guys posting on the jnat thread on coticule.be found just water to deliver sharp, but with harshness. I though the jnat slurry was where all the magic is. So why do I need a dmt or atoma?
3) Yes, its a significant step up from the c12k - for every blade except the Sheffield. 'Worth the $$$? So far, the jury's still out. I've never tried the competition - which for me would be an Escher/Thurry. I don't really see myself springing for the other rocks for a long time.

Any thoughts other jnat users have on using a slow stone would be most welcome. Or input that says the judgement of 'slow' is not yet earned.
Many Thanks, Gents.
This an IMHO thing. I am confused in that your goal of keen and smooth have been met. I look at a finisher as just that, a finisher. How does the blade sound when it hits the stone, does it ring. Does the stone release any slurry with water only? If it doesn't then you have a hard stone and the drop in speed is a given but it is a relative thing. I use Naguras and another mid-course stone and get it to the stage of finishing. I have your dimensions at 6.7 inches by 2.9 which is a good size for finishing. In my estimation "X" patterns should be the stroke of the day and the strokes should be very very light. By the time a blade hits my finishing stone it should be almost done and ready to shave on. I typically use a heavy slurry and go about 50 strokes then go about 50 with just water to get what I want which is on the border of getting a tad harsh.


Keep us up to speed.


Take Care,
Richard