Mystery Jnat

Took a chance on this one sight unseen. Anyone have any insight as to what I might have here? It was one of those send your money get a random stone deals. As I see it it was a small investment if this is nothing but a big nagura.

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It looks like one of those stones that a certain vendor is reputed to pick up from the tailings piles from some of the old mines. Could be quality stone still though. You'll need to try it to find out for sure.

Yup^^.

Use it and see what happens.

Yea it does look like his stamp on the side, I'm afraid that jagged edge is going to give you some headaches though.

Sigh...live and learn. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. You get what you pay for. (Insert admonition here)

I will try it as a finisher and see if it improves the edge. It will need to be lapped first so I guess I will get an idea of hardness when I do that.

@aerdvaark I will leave my nagura progression learning to the stone I bought from you as it is a known quantity.

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Originally Posted by Aerdvaark

Yea it does look like his stamp on the side, I'm afraid that jagged edge is going to give you some headaches though.

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Once flattened I think that wouldn't be such a huge deal. But if it turned out to be a good stone maybe one of the local Home Depot type places wouldn't mind nibbling that jagged edge off with a tile saw. I'd make sure it was worth cleaning up before going that far with it though.

Yea, tile saw or belt sander clamped in a vice, either the stone or the sander, with a 36 grit belt, will smooth it out. Rig up a shop vac to control the dust.

Keep your eyes open for someone doing remodeling, a six-pack will get it cut for you. I have had a few stones, marble & granite plates cut for six-pack of Bud…

As you said, worst case, tomo. I have cut up some into tomo with a regular hack saw. There are diamond or carbide tile saw blades for hack saw frames, then smooth with belt sander or a sheet of wet and dry.

If you did not pay much, experiment…

Can you feel the dark vein near the middle, when you run a fingernail or razor over it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sdm84

Sigh...live and learn. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. You get what you pay for. (Insert admonition here)

I will try it as a finisher and see if it improves the edge. It will need to be lapped first so I guess I will get an idea of hardness when I do that.

@aerdvaark I will leave my nagura progression learning to the stone I bought from you as it is a known quantity.

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a 330mate stone is rarely a good buy. Razor quality Jnats cost money for a reason, they are not that common.

Don't get discouraged until you actually have tried it with a few razors. Keep in mind that a hundred years ago, very few American shavers had access to rocks dug out of Japanese mountains and they still got along just fine.