Thread: Bought a karasu... couldn't help myself.

Yes, I know... worst possible hone for someone relatively new to naturals.

Yes, I know... no stamp, not much information on this exact stone in listing.

Yes, I know... not sold by a seller who tests each stone by hand and can hand-pick one for me.


But... I couldn't resist.

Isn't she just so sexy?

Yes, it IS sexy... and I want her for my own!


Very cool, I hope it hones as good as it looks.

It won't. It's a cheapie. But at least since I'm new I can pretend that it's the fact that I am clueless how to use it and not the stone, then come on forums and talk about how cool it is and "if only" I had the skill to wield it properly.

;P


Seriously though, it's a gamble, but I'm hoping it pays off.

Seller said it was suitable for razors and it's practically ornamental, so I've got my fingers crossed it will be the best stone ever and its slurry will topically serve as a preventative measure against all forms of cancer by penetrating my skin and warding off the evil cancer-thingies with it's stoney goodness.

You don't think my expectations are too high, do you?

No sir, I do not.

Even if it doesn't work well for honing razors, you could use it as Japanese folk sculpture - THAT IS A FREAKING AWESOME LOOKING KARASU! Such pretty figure combined with such a dramatic, rugged shape and thickness. Almost like a rugged yet delicate bonsai, made of stone.

Thank you for sharing the pics. I hope it is a fantastic hone. Try it first without slurry, to get the feel. You may be very surprised with the speed and fineness, with water only.

Without slurry will be easy as I don't have a nagura coming yet. Is there anywhere I can read up on nagura use? I'm a little confused. It 'seems' to me that the goal is to remove material from the bench stone to create the slurry. Does it need to be a similar stone? Just a similar hardness? Harder? Would a synthetic work? If it's not stone from another High grit japanese, would the grit from the nagura pollute the slurry? What is a recommended nagura for this stone and where can I get it?

A very attractive rock. If it isn't a superlative finisher maybe it will fit well somewhere else in the progression.

Originally Posted by IanS

Without slurry will be easy as I don't have a nagura coming yet. Is there anywhere I can read up on nagura use? I'm a little confused. It 'seems' to me that the goal is to remove material from the bench stone to create the slurry. Does it need to be a similar stone? Just a similar hardness? Harder? Would a synthetic work? If it's not stone from another High grit japanese, would the grit from the nagura pollute the slurry? What is a recommended nagura for this stone and where can I get it?

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You can work up a slurry with a DMT Diamond plate or use it as a polishing stone with no slurry.

For a nagura stone, go to www.japanwoodworker.com
Good luck with your stone.

Jerry
~~~

before me already has been said.use dmt.dont use nagura stone if you dont know your stone yet.it will confuse you more. Some of them alot courser then you imagine.testing be careful what you do.i got some stone and have been testing for 3 days cannot get ultimate conclusion on it.some blades comes out their sharpest condition.some edges just brakes down.some just overhones. Just take your time and gl

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

...testing be careful what you do.i got some stone and have been testing for 3 days cannot get ultimate conclusion on it... Just take your time and gl

That's the truth right there. I feel like I learn something new every time I experiment with my stones. If you lived near somebody with significant experience with Japanese hones, it could make things a lot easier.

Therefore, I volunteer myself as a willing test-honer! Send me that stone and I will be happy to test it out with varying degrees of slurry, water only, dry etc. I will take pictures and everything. Seriously.