Thread: Got me a new toy - Asagi stone!

Originally Posted by pinklather

How many strokes before darkening of water or slurry show?

I don't think an Asagi will accomplish either in a few hundred strokes unless a nagura is used.

I come off the 1/4/8k Shaptons right onto the Asagi.

I only use naturals as finishers TBH, and the ones I'm talking about are either this stone, a nakayama Maruichi, Escher, coticule or Charnley Forest.

Yes I have HAD lol!

I did 30 strokes with just water and there was no darkening of the water. I didn't notice any swarf particles especially.

My other Jnat is the same, there's no swarf even after 100 strokes.

Both of them seem to be ultra ultra fine, I'd guesstimate comfortably over 30k.

Edit: Ron beat me to it! I agree, these are very slow and very hard stones.

I sometimes have a hard time distinguishing whether a stone is cutting. I use a slurry from the stone and after about 50 laps I take the slurry off the stone and put it on white paper. When compared with just regular unused slurry on white paper, there is a huge difference. So I get a feel what is going on along.

Later,
Richard

Many Thanks, Utopian and Stu.

I notice a huge change in keenness depending on what I use just before the asagi.

Most recently, I tried a nani 12k before 50 strokes on the asagi (a very slow but pleasing stone). 'Among the best edges from a razor that was lackluster at best. If I may use HHT for reference, the N12k only gives an avg of 1/2-3/4 bump in keenness indicators over the coti (LPB or Dressante), but the difference in shave is much more dramatic. I may be expecting a feel from the coti its not capable of producing, or that I lack the skill to produce. It may be as simple as the full width of the N12 is easier for me to keep a high quality stroke on, compared w/ the more narrow (2" max) cotis.

Thank you both for your thoughts. I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Scipio

Stu's got HAD...

Poor Stu... I HAD to laugh. Been there. Done that. Somebody give the poor bloke a nagura to mess around with... I know who you can send the stone to if you want and honest evaluation, freight is cost prohibitive anymore though... London RazorCon guys will be able to offer insight...

That's the problem with the naturals. Some "extreme" fine stones are slow. Some just don't cut at all. You take your chances. I do not use a nagura anymore. I use a 1200 DMT to raise the stones own slurry and let the particles break down finer and finer. Then just water. If I am doing 100 passes on a stone it better be doing something to the edge.
Good luck.
Mike

Mike I'm with you, with a light slurry from a DN a fine asagi should be polishing out 6 or 8k scratches within 30 short strokes, and from there on it is refining the edge. After another 20 with the slurry and 20 light strokes with clear water you should be ready to strop. alx