Thread: Enhanced Jnat.

Originally Posted by JOB15

I just tried the dried slurry technique and i'm not impressed :/
It took quite a while to set the bevel and get the blade to where i wanted it before hitting the Jnat.
I did 10 mins on the Jnat with slurry, then i let the slurry dry.

I did 5 laps on the dried slurry but my blade was scraping up the dried slurry. I'm thinking that cant be good for the edge.


Probably i started off with too much slurry, damn.
The blade is keen but i have to wait until next weekend to try it out

And there is the "Trick" if you are lifting dust you did something wrong or it won't work on your stone


What kind of slurry ???
It needs to be a light slurry and well worked and broken down
I have never even attempted this with anything but slurry off the stone only, Nagura slurry hasn't ever worked for me doing this technique
The strokes have to be so smooth and light that you don't pick up dust on the edge

If you feel you are doing everything right and it is still picking up dust then it is not going to work with your stone

This technique isn't easy..

+1 to what Glen is saying. There are numerous other ways that are easier IMO to work a Jnat. Theres a reason they are called waterstones. Not being sarcastic friend, just trying to see if we can get this straightened out for you.

I did tried .1 CBN slury on the Zulu with good results. Found that if the finished edge was good out of the Zulu, a little stropping on .25 and .1 CBN had similar results with the added benefit of saving the CBN spray.

If we don't experiment with the stones, Jnats or not, because is always been used with water, we will never know if it produce better edge or not.

I'm not saying that the old ways should be cast aside, actually , old ways are generally true and tried methods, but will never know if we don't experiment. Double O

I cannot see the point of buying fancy and expensive stones and using them with all sorts of slurries. Why not use a piece window pane glass to apply the slurries, sprays etc? I don't think you will even start to appreciate the qualities an expensive stone when using it in an adulterated fashion.

Originally Posted by Double0757

If we don't experiment with the stones, Jnats or not, because is always been used with water, we will never know if it produce better edge or not.

I do not agree here, a good Jnat does not need any sprays to produce good edge. Basically if one has a good finisher and know how to use it no sprays are necessary at all.
I said it before in other threads, some people make honing a rocket science. Adding more steps in the process will not help with he final result, it may cause serious headaches trying to figure out what is going on when there is a problem. There is time tested perfect formula for honing in place: set bevel correctly , use your finishing hone correctly.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I do not agree here, a good Jnat does not need any sprays to produce good edge. Basically if one has a good finisher and know how to use it no sprays are necessary at all.
I said it before in other threads, some people make honing a rocket science. Adding more steps in the process will not help with he final result, it may cause serious headaches trying to figure out what is going on when there is a problem. There is time tested perfect formula for honing in place: set bevel correctly , use your finishing hone correctly.

"Good edge", agree that, you should not need any sprays to get good edges. That's why we buy expensive finishers. However, depending on the finisher, the particles could reach a limit that could be enhance with smaller man made sprays (CBN, diamond, CrOx), to produce something that in your opinion is a better edge.

I get good edges from my Zulu, but IMHO I get a better edge when I use some CBN (on wool felt) stropping after. This are all opinions, but you'll never know for yourself unless you try it.

I was perfectly happy with 16k and spray, then I tried an Escher edge that got me hooked on to naturals. Good edges can be had by many means. And I'm sure the Jnats (from what I read) are among the best.

I'm learning on Coticule at this time. I'm trying the true and tried methods (unicut and dilocut), but this doesn't mean that after learning and getting "good edges" with this methods, I can not experiment, by taking a scientific approach, with turi, Zulu, nagura or any kind of slury, I could produce some edge that IMO are better edges than with the true and tried methods. Yes, it can back fire, but that's part of the fun!

Well keep going then! LOL and let us know what you find. I have experimented with cbn on various mediums and find it is easy to create a harsh edge with it. Ive never used it on a hone though. Not saying it doesnt work or that you are wasting your time now.

Originally Posted by Double0757

"Good edge", agree that, you should not need any sprays to get good edges. That's why we buy expensive finishers. However, depending on the finisher, the particles could reach a limit that could be enhance with smaller man made sprays (CBN, diamond, CrOx), to produce something that in your opinion is a better edge.

I get good edges from my Zulu, but IMHO I get a better edge when I use some CBN (on wool felt) stropping after. This are all opinions, but you'll never know for yourself unless you try it.

I was perfectly happy with 16k and spray, then I tried an Escher edge that got me hooked on to naturals. Good edges can be had by many means. And I'm sure the Jnats (from what I read) are among the best.

I'm learning on Coticule at this time. I'm trying the true and tried methods (unicut and dilocut), but this doesn't mean that after learning and getting "good edges" with this methods, I can not experiment, by taking a scientific approach, with turi, Zulu, nagura or any kind of slury, I could produce some edge that IMO are better edges than with the true and tried methods. Yes, it can back fire, but that's part of the fun!

I refrain from using the term top notch edges etc. but that is what I meant.
If a hone can't give you that it is either you or the hone. Sprays can mask for deficiencies but if you want to consider pure results it can be done with no sprays.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I refrain from using the term top notch edges etc. but that is what I meant.
If a hone can't give you that it is either you or the hone. Sprays can mask for deficiencies but if you want to consider pure results it can be done with no sprays.

I agree 100% with you. I get better edges from the Zulu and the turis now than I did a year ago. Sometimes the edge is so good, I don't want to mess with sprays, afraid I ruin it, but other times, the edge is good, but I feel that by using sprays I can make them better. Not every body has the depth of experience as you and others here.

You don't know for certain if the stone gave all it has to offer (mos probably is the honer), but why deny yourself of a better edge by using sprays. So, sprays cover a multitude of sins! Then I ask for forgiveness and enjoy a guilt free shave. LOL!

Only judging on the pic provided but I'm surprised .10 CBN leaves such a hazy finish, almost like a prepolisher. A good kasumi finish is actually reflective like a mirror, grey coloured but reflective.
I'll be interested to hear how you improve the edge but I'd go carefully at this point. 4 strokes on a perfectly clean dry finisher would be my starting point.