Thread: Jnat Finishers

Hi guys,

my brother in law, who's a pilot, is going to be in Tokyo again and offered to look out for a nice hone for me. I already own two Nakayama hones, one Maruka and one Iromono, and a small Oozuku.

I'm looking for a very fine finishing stone (who isn't ?), maybe a Okudo or Ohira Suita.

As my brother in law doesn't speak Japanese and doesn't have a clue about J-Nats could you guys help me in giving him some reference what to look for?

Are specific kanji for Oozuku, Okudo and Ohira? Or some kanji that labels a hone to be suitable for kamisori?

And if yes, could you post them here?

Thanks a million

Jörg

Buying stones like you are proposing is risky business IMO. SOmetimes the stamps are real but the stones are fake... I mean they can print money so how easy would it be to make a fake stamp? Better to buy IMO from a reputable dealer who has a reputation and exchange policy. If he brings you a lousy stone then what? You may pay more or less, but peace of mind is worth something. JMHO.

Originally Posted by jollo74

I'm looking for a very fine finishing stone (who isn't ?), maybe a Okudo or Ohira Suita.

Never seen a Suita that was considered a razor finisher.

I couldn't agree more with Bill. Mislabeling stones for the non-japanese speaking trade is a big business in the big city areas now. Even if your stone really was from that mine and that strata, you could not be sure of the actual layer, hardness, effective fineness, scratchiness, etc. You might even get a stone that is actually very good.. for tools.. but near worthless for razors. Better to buy from a known dealer such as Alex, Maksim, or others recommended here so you'll know it's been properly graded and you'll have a guarantee so you can return or exchange it if needed. You have very little chance of getting a bargain anyway, the shopkeepers can spot a ツーリスト from 1600 meters.

rs,
Tack

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Never seen a Suita that was considered a razor finisher.

I have 3 of them, an ozudu sunashi, an Ozaki suita and a shinden yama renge suita that's harder then my wakasa tomo.

Originally Posted by bill3152

I have 3 of them, an ozudu sunashi, an Ozaki suita and a shinden yama renge suita that's harder then my wakasa tomo.

YMMV & all that. The stones you mention are more commonly used for finishing knives & tools but as long as the stone works for you, that's the main thing.

There are Suita layers deeper ie denser than Namito, eg Hon Suita or Shiro Suita but you will pay big bucks for those.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Never seen a Suita that was considered a razor finisher.

Upthread I posted a picture of an Ohira Suita (the gray rectangular one) off of which I have shaved many times.

I believe you 100%. I am surprised that these stones are not included as finishers. My shinden gives me HHt root in or out. And the shave is excellent imo. I was fortunate enough to get one honed by a real ace finished on a suita and it was superb as well. I have 3 suitas and all 3 produce. Maybe I got lucky....

First of all, thanks for your answers !

Originally Posted by bill3152

Buying stones like you are proposing is risky business IMO. SOmetimes the stamps are real but the stones are fake... I mean they can print money so how easy would it be to make a fake stamp? Better to buy IMO from a reputable dealer who has a reputation and exchange policy. If he brings you a lousy stone then what? You may pay more or less, but peace of mind is worth something. JMHO.

Wow, it seems that I'm more of the trusting kind... I don't think that a big store that sells high end cutlery & tools in central Tokyo would go ahead and fake stamps to rip-off tourists. I wouldn't think this would be worth the effort.

But I agree that there is a risk to pay good money for a natural hone that isn't a suitable finishing stone for razors. That's why I asked for some help with kanji to look for a hone that is intended to be used on razors. I think I have seen something like this around but can't find it.

In the end, I don't care too much from which mine or layer it comes from but I like the thought of having a hone directly imported for me .

Cheers
Jörg

Originally Posted by bill3152

I believe you 100%. I am surprised that these stones are not included as finishers. My shinden gives me HHt root in or out. And the shave is excellent imo. I was fortunate enough to get one honed by a real ace finished on a suita and it was superb as well. I have 3 suitas and all 3 produce. Maybe I got lucky....

I'm not doubting you get good edges & I'm not denigrating any other stones. You can surely get great stones from more than one layer but traditional razor stones are usually selected for their fineness as well as their hardness. That is up to the supplier &/or seller.

HHT &/or a good shave should happen at 8k. Most Awasedo will improve an 8k edge so might be termed 'finishers' but as I hinted before the densest layer will give you those qualities most consistently. Namito & some other layers are deeper than Tenjyo Suita so odds are the consistency will be there for the desired parameters. Hence the more commonly seen Asagi & sometimes Kiita razor hones.