Thread: nagura

It depends on the nagura and the base stone. Nagura are natural stones and each will perform differently. They work with the base stone synergistically, mixing Nagura and base stone grit and binder to produce a unique slurry.

The problem in using a natural Nagura with a coticule is the base stone grit, the garnets may be larger than the finish nagura, (the Koma), so no matter how fine the Koma slurry, you are limited by the size of the Coticule garnets.

And that is the problem with Coticules, they are all over the map in terms of finishing ability. It is the most difficult stone for honers to learn, yet its proponents rave about their edges. They most probably have found one that finishes, for them. You cannot take a coarse stone and make it finer by using a fine natural Nagura.

It is difficult or near impossible to rate the grit of a given Nagura, because it is not about the size of the grit , it is about how a given grit and binder in a natural stone perform.

Typically, the stria pattern is compared to known grit stria pattern and there by “rated” (for that particular stone), but Jnats and Natural Nagura do not leave a traditional stria pattern, but a hazy Kazumi finish that cannot be compared to known grit stria.

One can see that finer Nagura will leave a finer Kazumi pattern.

My experience with Coticules and Vermio stones is they are not very fine stones, probably in the 6-8k range, the Vermio nowhere near the advertised range. While they can produce a shaving edge, there are better alternatives.

A good Synthetic 12k, a hard Black or Translucent Ark or a Jnat, are much better and consistent finishers, or go to paste. Paste start at 20-30k for Chrome Oxide and can go to 160,000 grit, for very little money and effort.