Japanese natural stone

[Silverjay]

Had a had a friend from Japan bring me this stone today, his mother in law purchased in the 40's for sharpening straight razors in her barber shop. The scratches are visible but most you can not feel. Do I need to do anything to it? It is 6.5"x3.25".

[alx]

Looks like it could be a winner. Probably someone sharpened knives on it and it can be saved. Get yourself some Wet/Dry 80 or 100 grit sandpaper, draw lines with a pencil on the stone and with water on the paper flatten the stone. Keep redrawing the lines so you are really sure it is flat. Next get 220 paper do the same and progress up into 1200 paper of something close. Before you try a razor on it be sure to use a stiff brush to scrub off any of those loose grit particles from the sandpaper. Of course you have to start with perfectly set bevels on your razor before getting any good edges off this Jnat, but the stone should be able to do the final work.

Your stone looks like an asagi, lets see some photos of the back.

good luck,
Alex

[guitstik]

+1 on what alx said but to add, find a good thick piece of glass or scrap granite from a counter manufacturer to lay the sand paper on.

[Deckard]

If it's a Jnat you will have to finish after lapping with a coticule ideally, or some similar grit stone.

[Silverjay]

Here is a picture of the back. Thanks for the feedback.

[pixelfixed]

Interesting.I was given a stone (box and slurry stone) several yrs ago by a 90 yr old friend of my wifes.
She salvaged it from her fathers medical clinic after we bombed Hiroshima,she never did find her father
I do not hone so no clue as to what it is,is a pretty stone tho.

[DennisBarberShop]

Wow, awesome stone, makes me want a jnat....that history is awesome...hope it doesnt glow in the dark though

[pixelfixed]

Wow, awesome stone, makes me want a jnat....that history is awesome...hope it doesnt glow in the dark though

No Glow, but it keeps my feet warm at Night

[Silverjay]

Got the scratches, how does it look?



Hard to see with the camera, but it looks like a mirror at a shallow angle.


There are some small cracks in the face. I can see them, but not feel them. Should I bother with glue?

[alx]

That stone looks really pure to me, the small cracks might catch your razor edge but that does not necessarly me it will harm the edge. Any object will prove itself with some constant use. Don't bother with the glue yet, hone up 5 or 10 razor and then you will learn more about your stone. I looks like a winner to me. Good luck,

Alx