Thread: Japanese Finisher

Howdy all,

I'm currently looking for a Japanese natural stone that i can use after my coti.

I'm looking for something that would help to smooth out the edge just that little extra bit. Anyone have any recommendations of what stone i should get?

I know natural stones can get high up there in price but hopefully not too much.

Thanks for the help

IMO, your best bet would be to post a WTB asking that the seller provided you with notes about whatever hone he or she offers you OR to contact a retailer directly. Japanese naturals vary considerably, and, as far as I know, each stone must actually be tested to determine how it will behave. As such, the question you pose is actually very difficlut to answer (IMO).

A good one's not going to be cheap, though, so be prepared.

+1 WHAT has been said before me.your best option will be chinese 12k. Rest will cost you alot more then you expect.may be thuri but it is expensive too.hope this helps

Well, I would say you might be in for a long search. What you're saying is, you want a natural stone to follow a natural stone. Natural stones are variant, ESPECIALLY the Japanese ones, and it takes not only a lot of time but a lot of patience to get the most out of one. So, to recommend a stone for your needs, a person would have to have both a coti and a Japanese natural, and test how the edge changes one to the next, and decide that the edge improves afterward, and then sell that stone.

Then, you'd have to get that stone, and experiment to see how to get the best results from each stone for yourself...and you still might not be satisfied.

Not that it's impossible, and it is in fact a fun thing to play with, but really it's not so cut and dried as "hey, what's a good Japanese stone to follow a coti." No one knows.

You want a simple recommendation? Get a Naniwa 12K. You want a FUN recommendation? Save your pennies, and buy every Japanese stone you see.

THAT BEING SAID...A Nakayama Maruka is always a good (though expensive) place to start. Just make sure you see the stamp.

+1 on the advice already given!

I was lucky with my Japanese Natural, I got it from someone in the classifieds who was selling it to raise funds for another project. But I did have a good chat with the seller about the stone before I bought it, to try and find out a bit more about its characteristics. I fully agree with the other guys, talking to the seller is definately a good way to go.

I've read of guys here being sent two or three stones to try, and then sending two of them back once they picked the one they liked.

And yes, they arent cheap either..!

I have a Nakayama Maruichi, which I really like.

Good luck with your search and keep us posted!

Thanks for info guys.

I never realized that the stones were so variable. I'll just have to see what works out for me.

I find myself saying odd things these days like: maybe you need a barber hone, or if you are going to spend a bunch of money for a razor hone-why not find an Escher?

The cotis I have are not what I consider slow cutters as I often read about them here. They start cutting steel instantly and I really enjoy the way they shave. So I don't think about improving them with other stones or paste. I do consider that I may someday be able to make even better edges with each than I currently do.

most of the "kyoto" stones that I have tried- that are hard enough- will make a good razor hone. Not one to follow the coticule, more likely to eliminate the need for it.