I didn't want to have to ask this but...

I feel I'm ready for a jnat. Before you say it the answer is yes. Yes I have other stones synths and naturals. I have a coticule which gives me super smooth shaves. A trans ark which gives me even other shaves that are a little sharper. And others but yes I know how to hone.

I have been reading threads about which to get what hardness to get and how to use them.... and yet nobody agrees because just like my coticules...jnats vary alot. I get that. Still I'm lost. I've read to get a shobudani 100 and asano nagura. Then I've read get the same stone but use tomonagura. Then I've read get the same stone but use a dmt to raise slurry. Does it matter which one? My goal is to have the jnat be the last stone. After a coticule or 12k. Would I even use slurry in this case or just water. I know I'm going to have to experiment with whatever I get to figure out what the best way is. But after the coticule would I raise slurry on a jnat like a shobudani 100 and dilute to water?. I've read some people finish with slurry still on the stone this seems backwards coming from using a coti or c12k. What about a Naka Yama asagi koppa lvl 5. Is that too hard for a beginner.

I know a lot of people are going to have different opinions on this subject and I appreciate any help. I'm not looking for a magic stone either. I am completely satisfied with the shaves I get off of my current stones and don't feel like I need another stone so it's not like I'm looking for anything except for fun that comes with learning a new stone. Well anyways I got to go back to work.

JNats do vary a lot and that's why as you note, advice varies.

The Asano-graded Mikawa naguras are intended to be intermediate grits with the possible exception of koma, some of which is hard and fine enough to final finish a razor.

Tomo nagura use in my experience will depend on the particular hone. Harder less aggressive hones will need tomo slurry to prevent skipping and skating (burnishing). Hard stones that are very abrasive may not need a tomo, or not need as much slurry. Softer stones may well yield the best edge with a clear water finish because they cut well and won't burnish. The only way to tell is to try. Do keep in mind that heavy slurry or thick slurry can indeed decrease an edge, and a clear water finish may produce an overly aggressive edge. I like to finish on very thin slurry on most of my stones, clear water on the less fine ones if they're not too hard. The reason is that unlike synthetic or coticle slurry, JNat slurry breaks down to yield a finer finishing effect.

I like a diamond plate to slurry hard stones. You can raise a slurry on my hard blue-gray Ozuku with a natural tomo, but it takes as long as finishing the razor or longer. Hand me that worn out Atoma please. I don't think that it makes any difference between a worn fine diamond plate and a natural nagura. If anything, it my take a few more strokes to break the slurry to it's finest. If the plate is too coarse or not well worn in, the scratches on the hone it produces can influence the edge. There will be differing opinions, and if you have a natural tomo that truly works well with the hone, it will likely work as well as anything.

You can use a JNat fine after a coticle or a 12k, but unlike many naturals and synthetics, they can cut so well that some people go from the bevel setter to the finisher using a couple of slurries. I get my better results with a mid grit I estimate to be 5-8k then the finisher.

Cheers, Steve

I have a jnat. Im fairly new still. For me the jnat just feels right and I get amazing edges from it. I think its one of those things that you may or may not have an affinity for. I have a coti and phig as well. Neither or as pleasant or easy(for me) to get the edge I desire from. Doesn't mean I don't use them. I just prefer the feel of my jnat.

Mine came with a tomo and I find that using it and doing a dilution of a series of sets of strokes really makes a great edge.

Oh and mine is a Okudo asagi awesedo rated as a 5- on hardness

It takes an expert to tell you which Jnat has all the characteristics you are looking for or suits your needs.

I got mine from So Yamash*ta. Read i for *. SRP's software censors his name written properly.

Most Jnat are fairly squarish if you like, I was looking for a more elongated stone which his father found me.