Thread: Proper activities for a first date w/ jnat

Slury drying on the razor and it thick ready for more water.

Gorgeous stone Seth, nice visual pics. What kind of j-nat stone are we looking at?
thanks
Mike

Zeth, Thank You!!

That IS a nice looking stone.

Your photos do help alot. I would have called that a light slurry, but as you say - the variation is huge.

I took a blade already done on water back to the slurry until it was sticking to the blade, doing circles. 1/2 a spritz and the back & forth strokes until sticky again, then 2 squirts and I didn't quite take it to being dry. TPT was again underwhelming (no hht done), but a small test patch of atg was quite promising - a full shave will happen within the hour - will update. Even in this test, with no beard prep - just wet the beard, rub some soap mixed w/ hand cream for glide - the blade angles possible w/ this stone are noteworthy. I first noticed it w/ the Williams blade, but atg of 30+ degrees is not uncommon. I don't know if I'm discovering what everyone else already knows, but that's never been possible w/ blades off the other rock.

Interestingly, Yamashita-san writes that many people have reported back to him that dry laps have proven very effective. I'm assuming these would be the last finishing strokes after slurry and then water. I took one blade I was already shaving with and gave it 20 laps dry. That blade was immediately smoother. With the feel of the tpt & hht on the williams blade, finished by the honorable Riooso - it does seem like these tests must be taken as secondary indicators, making one more dependent ultimately on a full shave test.

Test results in a moment.

Just silly smooth. Sharp enough to do the job w/ no complaints or apologies. I gave minimal laps on water only & no dry laps, so I expect more performance can be obtained. 'Just a really really pleasant shave. I'll do more experimentation with slurry - and alot lighter than I've used in the past, and alot less water.

Thanks for the pics Seth. They help a lot. I have been making my slurry a lot heavier.

Later,
Richard

Originally Posted by pinklather

Interestingly, Yamashita-san writes that many people have reported back to him that dry laps have proven very effective. I'm assuming these would be the last finishing strokes after slurry and then water. I took one blade I was already shaving with and gave it 20 laps dry. That blade was immediately smoother. With the feel of the tpt & hht on the williams blade, finished by the honorable Riooso - it does seem like these tests must be taken as secondary indicators, making one more dependent ultimately on a full shave test.

I have not experimented with a "dry stone" yet, but for finishing after slurry, I start with my stone wet and keep going (without counting) with very, very light strokes until the stone is basically just damp. On my stone, this seems to be about 100 laps or so. This method has taken my edges to a new level.

I think I will continue with this method and try the 20 completely dry laps next time around.

Johnny, I don't know - but he's smiling, and keeps touching his face.

Originally Posted by pinklather

I took a blade already done on water back to the slurry until it was sticking to the blade, doing circles. 1/2 a spritz and the back & forth strokes until sticky again, then 2 squirts and I didn't quite take it to being dry...
I gave minimal laps on water only & no dry laps, so I expect more performance can be obtained. 'Just a really really pleasant shave. I'll do more experimentation with slurry - and alot lighter than I've used in the past, and alot less water.

I took the same blade and gave 30 small circles on water, then 15 x-strokes. Wiped the blade and the stone surface clean - it was dry to the touch in about a minute. Then 20 laps dry. TPT after this was quite respectable. 40 canvas, 80 plain latigo. Same no prep test - just a bit of cream and hand lotion smeared on the heavy section of wet stubble from bottom of jaw line up about 3/4". This prep method typically gives more 'pull' than a shower and full face lathering. XTG along jaw line just wiped the face clean. I then went ATG uppwards to the middle of the ear. THERE WAS NO LATHER AT ALL - JUST WATER. ATG w/ a 30 deg blade angle, and just wiping the face clean. It's phenomenal. This kind of edge not like anything I've tried. 'Very much a new standard, and 2nd isn't even close.

And now think back to your best shave ever off your C12k
Now touch your face.
Anything is possible ,even without Old Spice

Well Pink sounds like you have almost arrived at you destination....problem is if you have the "Princess and the pea" syndrome you'll never get there!


Take Care,
Richard

Richard! You've been on my mind - usually about the princess/pea thread. I've been meaning to re-read that thread, wondering how/why an edge wouldn't last longer. 'Doesn't make me think you're doing anything wrong - the proof is in that Williams edge - just planted a terminal itch w/ the jnat.

It'll be a full shave w/ the same razor today. My cheek is still mostly smooth from the test last night. I'm sure a faster cutting stone could produce similar with less time or energy, but being able to get an edge like that at all is huge for me. What puzzles me is how I'd done every operation individually or in combination (slurry/water/dry, circles, back and forth, x-strokes), and the specific sequence seems to have finally grabbed the golden ring (or 'a' golden ring). There are many finishes (coti/escher) that I have never tried or felt. I'm in the wrong tax bracket to try them all for now. I've tried sharp, but you showed me smooth like there's just no tomorrow. The satisfaction is just astounding - worth all the work and expense.

I'm sure I will learn more as I go, but this level of satisfaction is more than enough to heave a big sigh of relief and call it good. Perhaps specific blades or circumstances will produce more questions, but at this point, with a razor that has pits in both the bevel and the edge - gives shaves I'd jump through my navel to get on any blade.

The learning hasn't cease, but it's sure fitting to give massive thanks to each of you that have helped this noob. Yamashita-san, Oz, Riooso, Zethlent have been invaluable. Hard to say how much I appreciate your incredible help. Will gladly jump for the opportunity to respond in kind - in any area I can be of help.

Glad to hear that you are settling down because when you first get a stone that you paid some big bucks for. One gets a little antsy about what you are getting in the way of an edge and a little panic sets in. J-Nats are very different animals and I am glad that you have reached some point of equilibrium. You will eventually drop the unnecessary steps and find what works best for you but the problem is that we can only shave once a day. I have added another couple shaves a week by doing the back of my neck but it still takes time to get it going on.

The guys here are awesome, and me as a beginner, have been very appreciative of the help that they offer. Good group!

Take Care,
Richard