Thread: Japanese Natural Waterstone (400-800 ??)

I recently bought this Japanese natural waterstone from here.




I like it very much. It gives me a very nice sensation when honing a razor. Now I understand why many people prefer natural stones.

In the website they say that it is corresponding to synthetic 400-800 grit.
I am not an expert, I am actually a beginner but I have a Norton 220/1000 comb, a Norton 4000/8000 comb, and some others. My opinion is that this stone is more than 1000grit. Maybe 2000 or 3000grit, I am not sure.

Is there anyone else here that has this natural Japanese hone?
Could you tell me your opinion about the grits of this stone?

Thank you.

That looks to me like an Amakusa red, but I could be mistaken. I believe the AR is ballparked around 800.

Usually low grit J-nats are slow cutters compared to synthetic counterparts, and finish above the grit rating they have.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

That looks to me like an Amakusa red, but I could be mistaken.

I was about to say Amakusa too, but it looks more like the white one (it has those green veins running trough the stone) except that red figuring makes me wonder if it is not a mix.

White amakusa is rated ~1k, but finishes like ~2k

Originally Posted by mainaman

White amakusa is rated ~1k, but finishes like ~2k

What do you mean by that? How can it be?

Originally Posted by Slur

What do you mean by that? How can it be?

I mean that the stone is rated ~1k, but the finish is ~2k.
The slurry is friable and breaks down as you work it.

Originally Posted by mainaman

The slurry is friable and breaks down as you work it.

Ok, it is clear now. So, I suppose that if I want to keep it honing in 1k, I should remove the slurry as it forms.

Originally Posted by Slur

Ok, it is clear now. So, I suppose that if I want to keep it honing in 1k, I should remove the slurry as it forms.

yes, but those stones are pretty slow compared to the synthetics available.

Yes, I noticed that.

Actually, I have three natural stones, this one (1000), a Rozsutec Slovakian stone (6000), and the Peoples’ hone (let’s say 12000).
So, I think I could use as a pyramid these natural stones avoiding the Nortons.

The honing progress will be slow, but it is more pleasant than with the synthetics.

yes try them and see how it goes.