Nagura stones or sets

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

Which is the way to go? I'm wondering if it's better to buy individual stones or a set. I have one set but not sure about its quality. I also have a shubudani. Is the shubi a good start or should I add something harder or softer? Still learning natural stones and am getting better at synthetic stones. How does one know the quality of nagura stones. Any assistance would be deeply appreciated.

[Srdjan]

You may have a very capable set there. Mind showing us some pictures?

Your naguras may be just fine, but you need to figure out what they do. When you buy a graded stone, such as Asano stamped nagura, you know what to expect. If they arent graded, you just need to figure it out yourself.

I'd personally hold off with a new purchase, until it's crystal clear what the existing gear can do.

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

I've been able to get a good edge off of the combination. I will try to figure out how to post a pic next

[JOB15]

I would say buy sets and individuals , if you can afford them.

To be technical; there are large ones , small ones, white ones , reddish ones, Asano ones, non Asano ones.

I have too many but I want huge monster ones

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

I get the idea, if we all had more funds, our collection of gear would be vast. I am looking at adding possibly another Jnat and possibly some other naguras, any suggestions

[Srdjan]

What you have there are seemingly (I cannot read the stamps clearly) Asano stamped Botan, Tenjyou and Mejiro. I think what you may be asking here is whether you should get some tomo nagura (so pieces of Awasedo, finishing stones) to further refine your edge, after Mejiro. Am I correct?

Have you tried raising slurry from your Shobu base stone?

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

What you have there are seemingly (I cannot read the stamps clearly) Asano stamped Botan, Tenjyou and Mejiro. I think what you may be asking here is whether you should get some tomo nagura (so pieces of Awasedo, finishing stones) to further refine your edge, after Mejiro. Am I correct?

Have you tried raising slurry from your Shobu base stone?

I have built a slurry off the shubi. I do believe you may be correct about looking into Tomo naguras, but where and how to determine where and what to get. How does one determine the effectiveness of the set I have? I think they are ok, but refining my edge is desirable. Thanks so far for everyone's input

[JOB15]

I think the naguras are only as good as the hone they are used on.
Defo get a tomo and give it time and experimentation .

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

How to determine if my shubi is any good? Not looking to spend a fortune, but wanting to try and take my honing to the next level. Thinking maybe a meetup to have someone try and test my hone setup to determine if I'm spinning wheels or it's worth investing more Tomo naguras to add. Any guidance would be appreciated

[Srdjan]

I'd say try to shave after Mejiro, try to shave after the Shobudani on slurry and try to shave after the Shobudani on water only. Not full shaves, just try cutting a little bit of stubble, on an area that's particularly tough. Don't forget to strop before! Try to keep no variables in the equation, other than the slurry stones, of course, so use the same razor and strop for the experiment.

EDIT: Obviously, it would be very nice to hear what you thought about it after