Thread: Jnat Changing with Lapping?

I have been getting to know my relatively new Nakayama Maruichi Lv 4, and have honed ~8-10 razors on it so far.
Initially, I noticed that no matter how much I finessed the nearly finished blade on light slurry or even plain water, the edge would not achieve the level of keenness that I like. I would have to take it as far as I could on the Nakayama, and finish on my Imperia La Roccia to get it where I liked it.

Now having lapped the stone a few times, the last couple blades that I have honed have reached my goal level of keenness without needing another stone. I doubt my technique has improved that significantly in such a short time (but who knows). I am guessing that I may have lapped into a finer/harder/better layer of the stone, as I have also noticed some changes in the color pattern (more pink and some dark spots). Is this change in stone quality and resulting edges common with Jnats? I am just curious, as this is my first Jnat, and I want to learn, learn, learn. Thanks in advance!

Stone when new:


Stone now after being lapped ~4 times (note the slight change in the pattern...and lack of stamps):

I doubt your theory! I have a few JNats and they are pretty consistent front-to-back. I have maybe one stone that's different, but it is also visible.

When you are learning, you can gain skill rapidly, so don't shortchange youself!

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by Steve56

I doubt your theory! I have a few JNats and they are pretty consistent front-to-back. I have maybe one stone that's different, but it is also visible.

When you are learning, you can gain skill rapidly, so don't shortchange youself!

Cheers, Steve

Hmmm, I guess anything's possible. I started using more small circles at the end polishing stages, as I feel like I can keep the pressure (or lack thereof) more consistent.

I'm actually glad to hear that it may be more technique, as I would hate to worry about lapping through the good layer and start getting lower quality edges in the future. Thank you for the help sir!

You've honed 8-10 razors and lapped it 4 times.

Why did you do that?

Originally Posted by Utopian

You've honed 8-10 razors and lapped it 4 times.

Why did you do that?

I'm a compulsive lapper too. Flat fetish ......... ...... only speaking for myself of course ......

Originally Posted by Utopian

You've honed 8-10 razors and lapped it 4 times.

Why did you do that?

I used the stone to take the edges from bevel set to final polish starting with my botan, and working my way down. I did a lot of playing around with the edges, going up and down the naguras trying to learn. After these sessions, I would lap it with my atoma just to make sure it was flat before I started another razor. I would consistently see the pencil marks toward the ends of the hone disappear before the marks on in the central portion, indicating that it was no longer flat. I may lap it before each blade from now on, come to think of it.

I have a problem with this myself. I have no faith in the flat so I flat some more. Same thing that Doc Martin said previously happens to me as well. I grid lap, I hone 1 measly razor and by the next session I grid lap again and take note that it wasn't that flat to begin with according to grid removal. So of course I cant believe my eyes do it again until one quick swipe with a dmt and all the pencil is gone. You would think the damn thing was flat for the next session..... nope and a vicious circle of stone down the drain is born. Jesus help me.

OK, well then I guess you will get to meet all of the layers of your hone! Odds are that you will encounter different characteristics in the hone as you work your way through it.

I have done the full run from Botan on up many times on several hones but have never felt the need to re-lap after the initial lapping of each hone. Mine just don't get that dished; or at least not dished enough for me to notice any honing issue.

I am extremely diligent about keeping my synthetics flat, but I just don't do the same for my naturals.

When you lapp your stone you make it more agresive and not so fine and on the hard stones ,that matters on the final stage . I see a awasedo film that the miner lapp the stones in a Diamond disk and after , he makes slurry with a big tomo to smoothen the surface .
I notice also that my Jnats sre not so effective right after lapping , but after an few sluryes and dilutions it gives significantly better and sharper edje
This factor combined , with the knowing of the stone , can make the diference , actualy.
If you are compulsife lapper get a flat floor tale or C12 k and lapp your stones with them . Another effective thing is to rubb 2 stones one , against another

This particular stone does not seem very hard. It is easy to lap, and slurry is easily generated with my extra fine DMT card. Maksim rated it at lv 4. It is nowhere near as hard as my Imperia La Roccia to lap. I always use my Atoma 400 then 1200, then make a few slurries before honing to reduce lap scratches. Even with all of this considered, I think I could lap it flat weekly and it would still last a decade. Plus, once I'm halfway through this one, I can justify to the wife that I "need" another Jnat.