Thread: HOnyama Aweseto

Will this be a good finishing hone or is it more like a touch up hone, or will it need something after it? I know nothing about japanese water hones. PS: what is the ultra nice japanese one? The one use on samurai swords, etc, that is very famous for making an ultra nice edge? I know they all vary, but it must be at least a certain kind right?

Yep sure is....might take some on site research. Start with the search box, the answer won't be a simple one, but you should get the foundation you need to proceed.

Originally Posted by khaos

Will this be a good finishing hone or is it more like a touch up hone, or will it need something after it? I know nothing about japanese water hones. PS: what is the ultra nice japanese one? The one use on samurai swords, etc, that is very famous for making an ultra nice edge? I know they all vary, but it must be at least a certain kind right?

The JNS wiki might be worth a look:
About Japanese Natural Stones

Not sure what name regarding swords you are referring to, Nakayama is rather famous or maybe some of the polishing stones like Uchiguimori?

There's a nice glossary over here with a note about Honyama:

Honyama – 本山

Translation: True Mountain. These Kanji are also used for ‘Honzan’. Originally, Honzan and Honyama were terms used specifically and only when referring to a natural whetstone from Nakayama or Shobudani. In more modern times, they are used generically to mean any natural whetstone.

Find a dealer who has vintage hones and buy one that came out of a barber shop.

I haven't found, for any practical reason, that the super high priced stones are any better than any of the moderately priced stones (as in, if you're just maintaining your own razor, you can find a good stone for about $150 and be done with it).

If you want to go out and buy all kinds of stones that are large with collectible features, then have at it. Your razor won't be any sharper, but your wallet will be lighter.

Japanese stones will be priced based on a combination of things that matter for use (fineness, smoothness, etc) and things that don't (color, stamps, etc). As many accusations as there have been in the last two years about faked stamps, and with the revelation that even dealers in japan are going to start stamping maruka (or nakayama?) stones based on their subjective thoughts about a stone (e.g. not a genuine stamp), I'd stick to spending my money on the former.

In my opinion, also, a lot of the higher volume dealers are asking a lot more money now for mediocre stones (common uniform green stones) than was the case 5 years ago.

Lastly, get a stone that is graded for razors. Not one for tools. If you get a stone graded for tools, there's a good chance it won't be fine enough to be worth what you spent on it - unless you're using tools. And if you're only going to get one, get one somewhat high up the hardness scale.

Sorry gents, but my new specialty of necroposting has had some unintended consequences. Still great info, just not for the OP.

Good luck! I hope you're ready for alot of scattered info and varying opinions! I recently bought my first japanese finisher and absolutely love it!! Price it was just about as much as the 8X3 zulu grey that it replaced (minus the nagura...) Its a great journey to embark upon and I learn more and more everyday as I continue to research the Jnat.

Chris

Originally Posted by WW243

Sorry gents, but my new specialty of necroposting has had some unintended consequences. Still great info, just not for the OP.

LOL!! I guess I should have looked at the OP date

Chris

Hence the mummified Egyptian Cat for an Avatar

Originally Posted by sharkbite111

LOL!! I guess I should have looked at the OP date

Chris

Originally Posted by WW243

Hence the mummified Egyptian Cat for an Avatar

I watched all this developing over the last few days but the "unintended consequences" was still funnier than I thought it would be. Thanks for the laugh, WW243!

P.S. Still some informative postings as well.

Originally Posted by WW243

Hence the mummified Egyptian Cat for an Avatar

I thought the mummified cat was because you live in an apartment and don't have a backyard to bury your precious pet pookey