Considering an Ozuko Jnat

I have been honing razors few years now and am by no means an expert on the matter. In fact, I am still very much a novice. What I have achieved is an understanding of the science behind the small assembly of razors and hones that I have in use. My current progression for a "new to me" razor is: Norton 1K- Norton 4K/8K- Apache Strata. This combo has given me very a satisfying blend of keenness and smoothness up to this point. Although I will admit that there is a pretty big jump from the 8K to the Apache that usually requires 100+ laps to bridge. But..... I think it is time to mix it up a bit.

I am currently eyeing a Ozuku Jnat. From what I have read this is a hard and fine finisher for use with a slurry stone. Have any here had experiences with this grade of Jnat, and would it be a good addition to my lineup?

Every Japanese natural is different. You need to rely on the seller's description of the specific stone that you are considering, and be sure that you have return privileges.

I feel that many of the hard grey stones currently sold as Ozuku probably are not, but I have tested a few and if you have a good one, it will likely give you an improvement in your edges.

There are also other options like the Shobudani type 100 which Max and Alex both sell or the equivalent of it. Type 100 is just a size BTW. Takeda-San used to sell Nakayama koppas (irregularly shaped stones) for around $90 and these were also good, but I don't know if he sells them anymore.

Good luck!

Cheers, Steve

That's a difficulty question. I have Jnats but not an Ozuko.

It depends on the quality of the stone.

Is it on the cheap side or the expensive side of things? Is the seller well known and trusted?

Those two things I would say have a bearing on the quality of the hone .

Although that's not saying you cant get cheap and good quality.

See ,, difficult question :)

The vendor is JNS and I am waiting for a reply. Compared to most of his inventory it is on the cheaper side of things. Compared to a Norton this is Bookoo $$. But I have realized that I prefer a natural finisher.

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Originally Posted by Straightandproud

The vendor is JNS and I am waiting for a reply. Compared to most of his inventory it is on the cheaper side of things. Compared to a Norton this is Bookoo $$. But I have realized that I prefer a natural finisher.

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He can take time to answer questions..

If he says its a final finisher then it is... Being new to Jnats a lower ish price is better..

Probably you will have to spend some time on the stone to achieve amazing results.

Everything I say is a guess :) However I say go for it ...ask him to throw in a Tomo (cheeky)

Make sure it's graded for razors. When they're on the hard side, they're pretty much a dead finisher, meaning you'll get out of them whatever you put on them (in nagura).

I bought one from TAkeshi Aoki years ago (after getting some koppa) that he said was a tool only stone, and i'd seen several Koppa and thought he'd mislabeled it. It wasn't particularly expensive for a full sized stone (a little over $200) and when I got it, sure enough, it was unlike any Ozuku that I had before. Less dense and strong cutting. Too coarse for a razor, but it turned out to be quite nice to have beside my bench when cutting dovetails (a low maintenance stone that you can literally sit down and cut a couple of rows of half blinds and wipe the chisel on the stone every few sockets and end with a chisel that's as sharp as it was when you started - and it's never really dulling at any point in between). A shaver won't find much use for a stone like that, though - great for a woodworker who is past the point of relying on a jig (which adds a lot of time and makes sharpening a less frequent occurrence).

So, make sure the seller specifies razors, and don't be afraid to tell them that you want dead as a doornail and fine as glass - I think those stones are generally worth less than a vintage fine stone of good quality (one with a softer feel, but that is still really fine cutting).