Thread: JNat vs 12k stone

I asked this awhile ago but I was wondering a good way to refresh/touchup a straight razor edge when it starts to pull, in between honnings. I know a lot of people recommend a 12k stone, but I noticed a lot of people also use JNats. I live in Canada and I noticed a seller who sells a few different types of JNats, mainly Honyama and Oozuku stones, both around the same price range of a Naniwa 12k stone, the Naniwa is actually more expensive than the Honyama and Oozuku stones, but I understand its a good idea to buy a Nagura slurry stone so it would come out to roughly the same. Are those 2 brands of stones good? Do you have to lap a JNat stone?

So am I better off buying a 12k stone or going for a JNat? My honning skills are almost non-existent but I figure I have to start somewhere. Any advice appreciated. I'm open to other options, just curious about those 2 types of stones because they are available locally. Is it more risky to buy a JNat? I understand all stones act differently.

Nothing wrong with a good Barbers Hone.

since you say your skills are non existent go with the 12K.

The reason is simple, Everyone who own one has exactly the same stone. They all work the same. Therefore any information you read on a 12K is relevant to you.

The jnat less so. I don't own a Jnat, I do own a fair few naturals. Every natural I have is different. They all have different levels of finesse, some like slurry, others hate it, some will work with water others oil, there are a lot of variables. And what is working for one person may not work for another as natural stones cut from the same place may be very different.

The 12K also means when you do come to difficulties it is far easier for members to troubleshoot you.

The 12K also doesn't become redundant if you buy a natural finishing stone. 12K's are fast, and so most people will do a synthetic progression to the 12K then move onto the natural. This means in a lot of cases far less time spent on slow rocks for the final edge.

My own progression regardless of finishing stone is always 1, 5, 8, 12. Then whatever natural that razor suits.


The 12K super-stone doesn't need a nagura. Get a decent diamond plate to lap it. The 8 inch DMT's are perfect, It you are on a budget then the 6inch plates will work, or 1000 grit wet and dry paper on a flat surface like float glass, or a polished granite floor tile. It'll only need a very quick grid lap, and it should be good for a few razors between laps. If you do go with a budget diamond plate get the solid metal type not the plastic backed ones as the plastic ones are pretty much always warped. I think that applies more to us Europeans as diamond plates are expensive over here!

All natural stones are different, they can produce fantastic edges, but unless someone has spent time with it and tested it you really have no idea where it will fit in your honing progression.
Everyone who has a Naniwa 12k will have pretty much the same hone, it is also very consistent. A few laps once your razor starts to pull and your good to go.
If you go for the jnat option you need to find a seller that you can work with and one that actually hones razors, they then can guide you in the right direction and sell you a hone for your needs.
As Roy mentioned a barbers hone is also a good and cheap option.

I agree with the above. The 12k is much more predictable. When you referred to the "two brands," please understand that they actually are two regions, from which the hones were mined. They are rocks, and as such can vary greatly in there performance.

If you want certainty get the 12k Nani.
The Jnat at that price would be a gamble unless the seller refunds you on returns.

Agree with Oz, get the 12k. The JNats at that price point from a non-specialist seller have a high likelihood of being eiher too coarse or too hard.

Cheers, Steve

Certainly no problem with using a Naniwa 12k as a touch up stone; I have done so very often. Another option not too often discussed is the Zulu Grey stone. It can function as does the Naniwa and the end product is also quite sharp, but less "extreme" or "intense". It produces what I feel is an edge just as effective but more easy going.

Another vote for the 12k, specifically the Naniwa superstone variety. People will recommend coticules, thuris ....... zulus ....... but those are natural stones and like the j-nats, and Forrest Gump's box of choclates, you never know what you're going to get. I have personal experience with the naniwa 12k and it is a sweet razor hone. IMHO

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Another vote for the 12k, specifically the Naniwa superstone variety. People will recommend coticules, thuris ....... zulus ....... but those are natural stones and like the j-nats, and Forrest Gump's box of choclates, you never know what you're going to get. I have personal experience with the naniwa 12k and it is a sweet razor hone. IMHO

As long as they're not like the "smoking man's" box of chocolates from the X-Files.
" A cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for. Unreturnable because all you get back is another box of chocolates."