Thread: Chefsknivestogo Jnats

I have one similar to that. A honyama it is. Too bad I suck at honing and couldn't tell you much about it...yet. What I have heard/ read is that it's okay for razors, but not favored and really good for knives. Smells like mud when you're using it.

For 40$ I am not expecting a super fine top class Jnat
I only want to try them out, and if its finer than a 8k synthetic finish, or at least gives a good shave with water or his own slurry, than it is good for me.
I am no pro honer, I am just trying a lot of stones, and see which do I like to use. I am not primarily after the best results, because results come from practice and patience, and can be achieved with any stone capable of delivering a good edge. And well, Im a bit of a fan of japanese stuff, so thats a big plus too

Originally Posted by rickboone

I have one similar to that. A honyama it is. Too bad I suck at honing and couldn't tell you much about it...yet. What I have heard/ read is that it's okay for razors, but not favored and really good for knives. Smells like mud when you're using it.

It migh smell like mud (aren't them all anyway?), but sure put a sharp and SMOOTH edge on my 6/8 ShureEdge. Shave with it this morning and no complains from my face... none!!! For $42, I will give it a BIG

I have the stone you are asking about and it is not a finishing stone, it is a pre-polisher. Mine has a crack down the middle which makes 30% of the length unusable. I use it to finish pocket knives. I think it's a little bit smoother than my kitayama. You could do some interesting stuff with the right slurry.

Mark does have the ozuka in stock now. I think it's also too soft for finishing. I kinda wanna get it anyway, maybe cut it up and make it into slurry stones.

My recommendation is to contact a dealer and tell them you are looking for a razor finisher. Those will run you about $200 for a small one and $300 for a normal size. You can probably find a super thin one like 10 mm for closer to 100.

Maksim at japanesenaturalhones or takeshi at aframestokoyo can pick out exactly what you need.

Oh btw I just joined this forum. I was reading threads and thought I'd add my 2 cents since I own the stone in question.

Originally Posted by infamous

I have the stone you are asking about and it is not a finishing stone, it is a pre-polisher. Mine has a crack down the middle which makes 30% of the length unusable. I use it to finish pocket knives. I think it's a little bit smoother than my kitayama. You could do some interesting stuff with the right slurry.

Mark does have the ozuka in stock now. I think it's also too soft for finishing. I kinda wanna get it anyway, maybe cut it up and make it into slurry stones.

My recommendation is to contact a dealer and tell them you are looking for a razor finisher. Those will run you about $200 for a small one and $300 for a normal size. You can probably find a super thin one like 10 mm for closer to 100.

Maksim at japanesenaturalhones or takeshi at aframestokoyo can pick out exactly what you need.

Oh btw I just joined this forum. I was reading threads and thought I'd add my 2 cents since I own the stone in question.

Takeshi does not hone razors and does not know which stones are good and which are not so good. Maksim tests all stones on razors so it is a very safe buy.
As far as the small cheap stones from CKTG, they are all of unknown origin and thus very cheap, there can be great stones found in the lot, but it is a lot of hit and miss with those. The small supposedly Oozuko I have is great for prepolisher work.

I am afraid I have to say that AFramesTokyo has fallen into the "high stone demand equals any supplier will do" trap and has started handling stones from a well known dealer in leftovers.

Maksim sounds like he knows his stuff.

Alex at thejapanblade has some excellent looking stones in stock.

For the more language-patient and adventurous, Teshiba-san at Mandaraya has access to some excellent hones as well.

The hardest and finest stones I have seen so far are from Maksim.

I wasn't aware that aframestokyo was selling lower quality stones. I ordered a tomonagura and a kamisori handle from them yesterday. Hopefully the tomonagura will be good. It is a really big nakayama, like 270 grams.

Originally Posted by JimR

For the more language-patient and adventurous, Teshiba-san at Mandaraya has access to some excellent hones as well.

I ordered a nakayama, botan, tennjou nagura from Teshiba. He is very good about answering questions. Just make sure you keep your english basic and mentions specifically you are looking for a hone for straight razors.

fyi, he only uses express international, so shipping can be a bit expensive.

I've worked with both Maxim and Teshiba-san. Both are excellent, I'd highly recommend either. You do have to be patient with Teshiba, due to the lanquage barrier. Also, Maxim's stones are second to none. I've very happy with them. Personally, I've never heard of a 40 J nat, that's a finisher...You should expect to pay 2-300 for a good one...