Thread: J-Nat club

Not sure but your priority seems right

Hello everyone...

Im a beginner and have never honed a razor to date, but looking to start. I'm likely going to go with norton or naniwa for basic honing, but want a finishing stone as well. I have read heaps about the escher stones but the whole jap nat thing confuses me. What is the cheapest jap nat that will give a great final edge like the escher that everyone raves about? And where is the best place to source one from? I dont have the budget to buy a large collection like the beautiful stones in this thread, so if I were to buy one only to start with, as a finishing stone, what is the best stone considering finish/price? I would say my budget would be up to 200 give or take (if one can get something comparable to an escher for that price, otherwise I think I will have to wait until my budget affords a larger expenditure). Im sure there would be better stones well above that price but have to be realistic with my budget.

Cheers, Andrew

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Hello everyone...

Im a beginner and have never honed a razor to date, but looking to start. I'm likely going to go with norton or naniwa for basic honing, but want a finishing stone as well. I have read heaps about the escher stones but the whole jap nat thing confuses me. What is the cheapest jap nat that will give a great final edge like the escher that everyone raves about? And where is the best place to source one from? I dont have the budget to buy a large collection like the beautiful stones in this thread, so if I were to buy one only to start with, as a finishing stone, what is the best stone considering finish/price? I would say my budget would be up to 200 give or take (if one can get something comparable to an escher for that price, otherwise I think I will have to wait until my budget affords a larger expenditure). Im sure there would be better stones well above that price but have to be realistic with my budget.

Cheers, Andrew

Get Suehiro Gokumyo 20k synthetic and you are set.
Jnats take money to find the right one for you.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Get Suehiro Gokumyo 20k synthetic and you are set.
Jnats take money to find the right one for you.

Thanks...

Where does one purchase one at a fair price? Will need shipped to Australia.

Andrew

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Thanks...

Where does one purchase one at a fair price? Will need shipped to Australia.

Andrew

Tools from Japan sell them, they ship internationally.

Takashima Myokakudani, Shinden Yama Renge Suita(4 lbs, LOL) and wakasa, okudu suita and nakayama kiita tomos.

oHHHHH, a 4lbs stone is awesome

The shinden is a beaut!

I have two questions in regards to the Tomo Naguras:
1. Some of you guys dug some grooves, I assume to help in producing the slurry, what did you use? One of those small round chain-saw file?
2. Is there a reason why you shouldn't lap all sides of the Tomo Naguras?

Thanks!

The grooves on nagura stones are to reduce the drag. It's hard to lap/produce slurry of you use its flat surface for that.
For me, I use the side of my stones to make those grooves. 1000 grit or finer. Don't use something that's too coarse, there is a rumor that, this way big particles can brake off the grooves of stone and ruin your edge.
For Tsushima nagura stones, there is a possibility to develop cracks, that's why they are sealed with lacquer, and, it's better not to lap them. For the rest, lapping requires time, and removes precious stone, so, do as you want, no reason at all.