Thread: Nakayama on the way. How do I get the best from it?

Originally Posted by ndw76

Could you lap and use the bottom side, thus preserving the stamp?

In general, the only one side of a Japanese hone is finished. I'd assume there is a reason why and that they were intended to be used top down, but I'm still just learning about Japanese hones and I'm not sure of those details.

I think one should decide if the stone is a collectable or a usable.
If it is a user the stamp is irrelevant. As someone said take a photo.
However the orange skin on the bottom helps identify a Nakayama stone... as long as it wasn't painted on... so I would rather leave the bottom side as is.

I just got one from this vendor also, same stamp except no number. the finish under a radio shack scope is pretty cool, hazy and speckled, none of the perpendicular scratch lines from previous stones.

Also got an aoto from him, need to try it out. reeeeeally soft stone.

The reason the other side is left unfinished is to show the "skin". This is the sign of a high quality stone.

I have 2 stones from 330mate and 1 from O_S. only 1 of the 3 have been lapped. I have had the writing fade on the other 2 I haven't lapped. So, if you feel it is needed, lap away.

For use, just spray a minimal amount of water on the surface. These get finer with use. I am trying to enhance that process on one of my stones by rubbing the surface just a little bit with a DMT plate and then taking an eBay junker and doing a lot of passes each session. I think I have noticed it becoming finer.

I think I read somewhere that the surface of these is somewhat porous and that the slurry accumulates in the pores rising out when water is used to help with the polishing process. It's the slurry particles that get smaller with use.

Of course I could be remembering wrong. I am sure they get finer with use.

I did have a crack in one of them that seems to have filled in somewhat and I no longer feel it when the edge passes over.

Natural stones are all a bit different from each other in how they work, and how they work best. There's no hard and fast rules although you can make some generalities I suppose. Part of the reason I love my Japanese naturals so much is that whole "experimenting to find out how to get the most out of it" thing.

Don't be afraid to experiment with it. But also bear in mind that if it is a high-end finisher, it needs a high-end bevel to finish on. Don't fixate on this stone at the expense of the lower grits. If anything, the lower grits play a more important role now you have a good finisher.

Good luck!

James.

+1 with Pyment in the respect that too much water is no good. A spray bottle or spritz is all that's needed...Too much water and the blade will hydroplane, literally and lift off the hone....As Lee Mentioned, My Nakayama has different stamps, It has 4 sets. I have a Nakayama Maruichi. Every blade will respond differently, but less is more. I normally start with 15 lapps, then test. These hones are so fine, that it's really hard to actually over hone. Each is different, so you need to experiment with yours and see what works...

Originally Posted by ndw76

Could you lap and use the bottom side, thus preserving the stamp?

I have done this with a couple of my Japanese water-stones. I can't read Japanese, but the writing is still there.