Thread: 15-20k Jnat, True or False

Im still learning myself so take what i say with a grain of salt. Id believe Oz more than me when it comes to these stones. Thanks Oz.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Im still learning myself so take what i say with a grain of salt. Id believe Oz more than me when it comes to these stones. Thanks Oz.

You had a valid point Jerry. If you use slurry with a hard stone you will get Kasumi.

Mark is a good fellow and a knife-oriented guy, so his descriptions are oriented toward that audience. He is not a razor jnat expert. I’d suspect that his Ozukus are from Imanishi, whose synth line he also carries. Those Ozukus should be good on razors, they appear to be the same stone that Fendrihan and others carry in barber size. The best for razors? The only way you’re going to get that is like also with coticules or any other natural, start trying stones out and pick the ones that suit you.

He also used to carry knife maker Takeda’s Nakayama line, mostly the koppas. Those were all top shelf razor finishers, I’ve got three and all are really, really, good razor stones, and they were oddly shaped, even for koppa. But they sold for only $80-90. Contact Takeda on social media if interested, but he no longer lists them on his website.

Yea, CKTG is primarily a knife site, but Mark is an excellent vendor that handles quality products at excellent prices. His Jnats are selected for him and he does know his stones and only sells quality.

He does sells Ozuku Asagi Koppa stones for about $75 which are great value, and more than large enough to hone a razor, I have a couple. You must get on his wait list as they sell within minutes when he gets them in. He mass emails the guys on the wait list and it is first come, first get.

But he is knife oriented so not surprising he is not marketing it as a razor finisher, but as said if you compare prices and size, it is a good price for a stone of that quality and size, (8X3).

Also as said, if you are not that knowledgeable about Jnats, contact a reputable vendor, like Alex Gilmore. You will pay more, but you are paying for guys like Alex’s, consultation, knowledge, his excellent reputation and guarantee that the stone will do what you want. Here again you are getting a stone that is hand picked for you and your level of honing.

I have been a long-time customer of CNTG and buy and have bought most of my synthetic stones and sharpening supplies from him, great selection and value on knives. A very reputable vendor.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

You had a valid point Jerry. If you use slurry with a hard stone you will get Kasumi.

Please forgive my ignorance: what does Kasumi mean? I did a search but all I could find was the name of a brand of stones and knives.

Originally Posted by Kees

Please forgive my ignorance: what does Kasumi mean? I did a search but all I could find was the name of a brand of stones and knives.

kasumi is Japanese for mist. i think of it like a fog vs polished mirror like finish on bevel. usually created by slurry usually with jnats, to an extent with some other stones

Originally Posted by biglou13

kasumi is Japanese for mist. i think of it like a fog vs polished mirror like finish on bevel. usually created by slurry usually with jnats, to an extent with some other stones

That's it. It's the hazy finish guys get excited about on their bevels. Ironically you can achieve that look well before the finished stage but it has a function on the soft sides of J/knives. It reacts with the oils of fresh cut fish giving a rainbow like appearance on the surface of the sashimi. Presentation plays a big part in J/style food.