Thread: Brand new JNAT. Now what???

Hello,

I have just received a brand new Oozuku JNAT, thanks to JimR for pointing me to a reputable dealer. I wish i could put a picture but not sure how to do that? It is a very fine one for finishing.

I am wondering what to do now. I saw a post somewhere that everything but the sharpening face should be lacquered. Is this the case? What is the best lacquer to use?

I need any other tips I can get. Do I need to lap and how? How should I use the Nagura and how often? I think i read somewhere that the Nagura should have grooves to increase the amount of mud. Is this the case? How much pressure should you apply to the stone with the Nagura? Do i need to soak the stone in water before use? If so how long for?

Good one! Enjoy your new toy. No need to lacquer unless it looks like cracks are a danger.

Yes, lap it.

Nagura use: there's an article in the wiki under "honing on Japanese natural hones."

No, don't groove your Nagura--it crates fracture points, increasing the likelihood of big chunks of rock falling into your slurry. If you are having trouble with getting slurry, angle the stone so you're hitting at the nagura's edge.

No pressure, really. Just enough to keep it on the stone.

And finally, patience is the key! Good luck.

NEVER soak your Japanese naturals. Just asking for trouble, there.

I think Jim pretty much covered it there Ross.
I'll just add that usually Aoto & Suita are the ones that usually should be lacquered. The rest are personal choice really.

I'm not one to provide experienced answers, I'm very much still the awkward student. I received my first jnat a few months back, and without doubt, got the finest edges I've ever experienced - but not immediately. Edges were very good right away, but thanks to the kindness and patience of Onimaru and others, the edges really became excellent.

If you need comedic relief, you can see some of my ignorant questions in this thread.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...te-w-jnat.html

Answers from Oz and others will be of help. My writing is mostly how to flounder and flail about.

You're going to love the stone, I have an oozuku Agasi as well and the finish on it is great! I always finish my razors on this or my Escher and honestly I am thinking the Oozuku edge is better right now to my preference of a smooth edge, it's still killer sharp too which is hard to get when you add smooth.


Test it and see what you like.

some guys finish on water when diluting the slurry.

I use a Tomonagura on mine and hone on that until the slurry breaks down and then I rebuild a slurry that's thinner and finish on the water slurry.

Good stone!

Experiment!

Try it with slurry, without slurry, wet and nearly dry, a few strokes and loads of strokes and just see what gives you the best edge. They're great stones and I think give just about the best possible edges you can get.

The only thing I've ever used that came close is Birnando's Y/G Escher, which was very comparable to my J-Nat.

It's also a ton of fun to build a slurry and then when the slurry stone is still on the Jnat hold the Jnat up in the air by the slurry stone.

Awesome every time.

Can I lap with wet and dry grit 400 on glass?

That should do it. Lay down your pencil grid and have at it. Take a pic of any kanji prior to lapping tough.
Mike

Originally Posted by MODINE

That should do it. Lay down your pencil grid and have at it. Take a pic of any kanji prior to lapping tough.
Mike

You know I looked at that and thought what a pity that this will be scrubbed off