Thread: Choosing a tomonagura for a Japanese natural hone

I would like to start using a Japanese natural with a tomonagura.
I have a Nkayama that I got many years ago without a tomonagura.




Can I simply buy a small similar Nakayama Koppa to use as a tomonagura or would I be better off buying a hone that comes with the tomonagura it has been used with successfully by an old barber or an experienced user of Japanese naturals?

I have been eying this one. The way its seller describes it it is very similar to what I have. Stamps (I know, limited value) and colours are very similar to my large stone.

You can find tomo nagura from one of the few reputable online dealers or use a diamond lapping plate to make a true tomo slurry. I have lots of different "tomo" but I rarely use them because I like seeing what the base stone does with its slurry.

You need to look for a piece of stone that is softer than your base stone and can break down really fine.
You may have to try several to find the most suitable tomonagura.
It will be a safe bet to email the reputable vendors and ask for a very fine and soft piece.

Originally Posted by mainaman

It will be a safe bet to email the reputable vendors and ask for a very fine and soft piece.

So I did but none of the reputable vendors whose names are mentioned here frequently have replied yet. They seem to be very busy.

Originally Posted by mainaman

You need to look for a piece of stone that is softer than your base stone and can break down really fine.

From what I understand most experts agree that the softer the Jnat the lower the "grit equivalent". So if you take a softer tomonagura it will produce a coarser grain slurry I would expect. Or is that compensated for by the breaking down of the slurry particles?

I use a Nakayama...

I purchased a similar nagura as what you are eyeing up. For the life of me I cannot get a good edge from it...

The softer ones from JNS work a treat..
P.s my Nakayama is very hard..

Originally Posted by Kees

From what I understand most experts agree that the softer the Jnat the lower the "grit equivalent". So if you take a softer tomonagura it will produce a coarser grain slurry I would expect. Or is that compensated for by the breaking down of the slurry particles?

In general that is correct, there are exceptions.
You have to make sure your tomonagura is softer than the base stone so you are not drawing too many particles from it, otherwise you just can use a well worn DMT 325 or 600 or Atoma 1200 and make slurry from your stone.

Originally Posted by JOB15

I use a Nakayama...

I purchased a similar nagura as what you are eyeing up. For the life of me I cannot get a good edge from it...

The softer ones from JNS work a treat..
P.s my Nakayama is very hard..

Do you get a good edge from your Nakayama with different tomongura?

I was under the impression that hardness and fineness are not directly related. Old barber hones were actually preferred to be soft. Then all the soft/fine stones were depleted, and harder stones were needed, which meant nagura were needed. Did you email Alex from thejapanstone.com?

Haven't yet as I hadn't haerd of him before. But I will.