Thread: Japanese Natural Finishers...

I have 16k and 30k Shaptons. As much as I like them, I still get the most comfortable edge following the 30k Shapton with .25 diamond paste on a paddle.

How do the good Japanese Naturals compare to the 30k Shapton, and .25 diamond paste?

I like an *extremely* sharp blade. The closer to shavette blade sharp, the better.

Is a Japanese natural going to get me to that level of sharp better/more comfortably than .25 paste, or is their level of sharpness limited to, say, the coticule level? Coticules leave a nice smooth edge, but aren't capable of achieving the level of sharpness I like. I'd rather find out about such sharpness limitation *prior* to spending the huge amount of cash on a Japanese natural.

This is one thing I really do like about the 30k followed by the .25 paste... it is capable of putting a *really* sharp edge on a blade. Now if I could just get that edge to be a bit smoother...

a lot questions and i will answer which ones i know.
Nakayama will get your edge sharper and smoother then coticules. rest i don't have 30k. or 025 paste can't do comparison. In reality you can get blade to certain sharpness after that you are overhoning. You could say some blades will get sharper then other's.
hope this helps.

I always prefer a natural stone to a synthetic for finishing so if I had my choice I would choose the Japanese natural over any other man made hone.
Sham is 100% right some blades will get very scary sharp as they say while others no matter what you do the edge just isn't as good. A lot of variables in the process.

I've read, and I could be wrong here, but isn't alot of the choice dependent upon the number of blades you are honing? Here's the meaning behind that statement. I know that Lynn, Max, Glen, Ron, and several others hone quite a few razors per day. Am I correct in thinking that the man-made, i.e. Shaptons, Naniwa, stones are faster in putting an edge on a blade than a natural? So while the above mentioned members enjoy the edge a natural puts on, the edge on a ceramic is comparable and somewhat more timely? With that being said, I would deduce that the edge's are comparable since I don't think any of the folks mentioned above would forego quality with time.

Again, not trying to start an arguement here and I could be off base here, just wondering if the difference is what I've mentioned above. Sorry if this got off topic.

Joe

No argument needed. Really it's a very subjective subject and ask two people and you'll most likely get two different answers at least to some degree.

hmm, maybe you are giving up too easy

or may i say, with just a small sample of decent natural finish stones I never sit wondering if I need a 30k or 16.

Gunner brings up an important point. "Why hone?" If you are wanting the sharpest edge possible in the shortest possible time, the ideal solution will be one thing. If you enjoy the feel of all kinds of different stones contacting the blade as it becomes sharper and testing each blade to feel how each blade is changed by each hone, you might have HAD.

Originally Posted by Pyment

Gunner brings up an important point. "Why hone?" If you are wanting the sharpest edge possible in the shortest possible time, the ideal solution will be one thing. If you enjoy the feel of all kinds of different stones contacting the blade as it becomes sharper and testing each blade to feel how each blade is changed by each hone, you might have HAD.

Oh, there's no question I have HAD. But right now I'm searching for a stone that will get me to ultra sharp, while being as smooth as possible. Should be easy enough, right?

Yea uh huh maybe is all I can say to that. It took me a while to find what I liked. I hope it's easier for you! I can't afford a Japanese natural but I did settle on an Escher I got from Sham and a BBW/Coticule I found in an antique store for little of nothing.

Originally Posted by Gunner777

Yea uh huh maybe is all I can say to that. It took me a while to find what I liked. I hope it's easier for you! I can't afford a Japanese natural but I did settle on an Escher I got from Sham and a BBW/Coticule I found in an antique store for little of nothing.

I can't right now, either, Gunner, but when the wife asks me what I want for my birthday next February...

I usually research the crap out of something before I buy it... My wife likes to give me grief about it: "Honey, I'm planning on buying you a new toothbrush next month, would you please start your research now?"