Thread: Diluting Slurry on Nakayama

Hey all,

So I've been experimenting a little with my Nakayama. I've finished a handful of blades now with my Nakayama with just water, and they were very very sharp and shave-ready. But just to see how the feel of the razor would compare, the last couple of nights I've tried finishing a razor on the Nakayama starting with a slurry. I have another small piece of Nakayama that I use as a slurry stone for my stone, so there is no cross-contamination, i.e. the slurry is pure Nakayama slurry.

So I just did a bunch of laps with the initial slurry, adding a couple of drops (literally) as I went along, and wiping the blade, until I had pretty much no slurry on the stone. Then I rinsed the blade and the stone off completely, to ensure no slurry was left, and did about 30 laps on the Nakayama with just a thin layer of water.

I stropped and shaved, and the shave with both razors was extremely pleasurable. The edge was very forgiving I found, and left my skin feeling very comfortable afterwards. But it was still really sharp. I was able to shave against the grain beside my chin without any pulling, and that's a very stubborn area for me. The alum block produced no sting at all, and my face felt really good afterwards on both nights when I used different razors finished the same way.

So I have produced really sharp edges (using Shaptons and chromium oxide for example), but the most comfortable shaves have been when I used my Nakayama last without a doubt.

I even tried a fairly heavy slurry at first which darkened slightly, so I know metal was being removed at a decent rate. But it really didn't seem to have a dulling effect, or at least not after I slowly diluted it. I like being able to use a slurry on it since it makes it more aggresive and faster, but can still produce a fantastic edge when I dilute it slowly.

So I'm not expert with honing or Nakayamas, but I can tell you that I like the edges that this stone has produced for me. It has provided me with some comfy edges. I just felt like sharing

Oh, and if you don't have one already, get a Nakayama! I'm already planning on getting my second in a while....

P.S. I also thought I should mention that this method leaves a nice looking finish on the bevel. It looks very different from polishing on anything else I've used other than a Nakayama. It's sort of a hazy looking bevel, which is probably a combination of the Nakayama finish and because slurry was used. Not really a mirror finish at all. But it looks very uniform under 30x.

thank you for sharing this information Dave.
Nakayama is a great stone to have it.
Bevel looks like rainy when you done with it.

That hazy finish is called Kasumi and is prized by japanese honemeisters.

Originally Posted by khaos

That hazy finish is called Kasumi and is prized by japanese honemeisters.

Funny, "Kasumi" means "mist" or "haze" in Japanese...It's almost like they call it...

A hazy finish!

oh, I adore Hon Kasumi Finish!

Interesting to read about Nakayamas and slurry, even Nakayamas and water because I am unable to get a suitable edge with either, until finally I tried the stones dry and "Volila" there it was. I now prep my stones with a light (very light) sanding with a fine sandpaper to remove any loading from the last razor I honed, clean and dry the surface, and start honing away. I get what is IMO a wonderful edge and I do not go to chromium oxide any more with a Nakayama edge, just strop and this made an improvement.

Ever hold one of your finishing stones up to the light at a shallow angle and look across it. Try it, looks like glass.

Marc

Are you using a nagura to make slurry? If so then you might want to try honing without it. The blade will raise a thin slurry all by itself. Also asagi's are good if you like this sort of thing since they are hard and make a thinner slurry normally.

I have one, but never used a slurry on it. I too have a small piece of Nakayama stone for a slurry. The Nakayama does give some of the best edges you'll ever feel. Very sharp and very smooth. After I bought mine, I was on here singing it's praises.

Originally Posted by mparker762

Are you using a nagura to make slurry? If so then you might want to try honing without it. The blade will raise a thin slurry all by itself. Also asagi's are good if you like this sort of thing since they are hard and make a thinner slurry normally.

It's a small piece of Nakayama that I use as a nagura. I have used it with just water and really liked the results. Well, even when I was using slurry at first, I did finish with just plain water and still really liked the results. Mine's actually a kiita, but it's hard one and slow. It works well with just water, but it's admittedly a bit slow. It won't make a dull edge sharp, just a sharp edge better

Hi David,
Your passion for the Nakayama contagious! Do you still use the 30k before you get to the Nakayama?
Mike