Thread: Jnat Changing with Lapping?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Do what makes you happy, really there are no rules.

I suspect what you are doing is more refreshing or slurrying than a full gridded lapping. So the “wear” will be minimal. Many feel that there is a difference in slurrying with a stone vs a diamond plate and a lot depends on the stone and the plate or stone.

Many do bevel set on synthetics and finish on JNATS, some don’t.

It sounds to me like you are finding your way with the stones and that is perfectly fine, just don’t get caught up in the “there is only one way to hone” "my way theory”. Do what works, makes the best edge for you. Whatever you do, it will probably be radically different a year from now… and your edges and shaves will be better.

It all comes down to rubbing steel on rocks, natural or man-made.

Amen brother!! It's been a blast so far, and I'm looking forward to further learning and improvement.

It's really hard to give guidelines that are "set in stone, " no pun intended - because we are all individuals and may not move and work exactly the same - thusly, the things we may think we are doing exactly the same can give slightly different end results.

That said, I have done a lot of experimentation with slurry honing, and for me the best edges come with a slightly "worn-in" stone. The edges from a stone freshly lapped with a diamond plate are very keen - just about as keen as the "worn-in" stone - but not as comfortable to shave with. My personal preference is to lap with a 1200 Atoma whenever the stone needs it, then raising and rinsing away a few tomo slurries before calling the surface ready. If I need a little more cutting power I use a 1200 Atoma generated slurry to hone with first, then go through one or two tomo slurries. Works great for me. If you think about it, the way the Japanese traditionally honed, with repeated nagura slurries, would accomplish basically the same thing - wearing in and smoothing of the honing surface.

Originally Posted by eKretz

I have done a lot of experimentation with slurry honing, and for me the best edges come with a slightly "worn-in" stone. The edges from a stone freshly lapped with a diamond plate are very keen - just about as keen as the "worn-in" stone - but not as comfortable to shave with. My personal preference is to lap with a 1200 Atoma whenever the stone needs it, then raising and rinsing away a few tomo slurries before calling the surface ready. If I need a little more cutting power I use a 1200 Atoma generated slurry to hone with first, then go through one or two tomo slurries. Works great for me. If you think about it, the way the Japanese traditionally honed, with repeated nagura slurries, would accomplish basically the same thing - wearing in and smoothing of the honing surface.

Very sound advice! Makes perfect sense. I'm going to start making a few slurries with my big ol' Nakayama tomo nagura prior to honing when it's fresh off the atoma 1200. Thank you sir!