Thread: JNat for Dummies

<sup>So,

I have no idea what all these Japanese words used for JNats actually mean. Regardless, I'm looking for a Japanese natural stone that can follow an 8,000 grit synthetic as a finisher. I have one on the bay in mind, but I need these words translated:</sup>

Kita Suita
tennin toishi
uchigumori

Can any of you help with this? Thank you!

Try to look at these sites for some explanations:

About Natural Stones
Japanese Hone Vocabulary | Eastern Smooth

And of course, there's quite a bit of info on here as well, both the hones section and also in the wiki(library)

I would probably stay away from ebay and buy from a trusted source, but that is just me.

thanks birnardo. those resources told me that kita suita means I have a yellow stone from the suita level of a mountain. Unfortunately I can't even google "uchigumori" or tennin toishi" to get an answer to those!

Originally Posted by woodsmandave

<sup>So,

I have no idea what all these Japanese words used for JNats actually mean. Regardless, I'm looking for a Japanese natural stone that can follow an 8,000 grit synthetic as a finisher. I have one on the bay in mind, but I need these words translated:</sup>

Kita Suita
tennin toishi
uchigumori

Can any of you help with this? Thank you!

I'm with you. All these confusing terms and foreign words make my brain hurt.

I got one of those Japan hones, something about a kama Sutra Hone. Someone said it has a special purpose.

I'm stickin to good old American hones. You can't go wrong with a name like Norton.

Har har.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I would probably stay away from ebay and buy from a trusted source, but that is just me.

I would agree with this. I have a few very good hones that I got from dealers, and I asked them for certain characteristics in helping me pick a stone.

I have a lot of ebay stones, too, and I would trade two of my ebay stones - across the board - for another good stone from a dealer.

Not that I can't use those ebay stones, just that each one is not as accurately described (and to the detriment of the stone, not for the better) compared to what I've gotten from reputable dealers.

In short, I've always tried to buy japanese finish stones. I have probably 3 finish stones and 6 pre-polishing grade stones that were sold as finish stones.

I'm attracted to the "mystical" properties of a fine Japanese finisher, and nice thuringians keep evading me on ebay. I have my nortons, and my coticule, and I use them proficiently, and yes, I shave fine off of them. But its time to expand into the unknown world of JNats...

You make a good point here. I really don't have enough knowledge about JNats to be confident in buying one off Ebay. And the last thing I need is a pre-polisher or some nasty inclustion right in the middle that wasn't visible in pictures.

Originally Posted by woodsmandave

I'm attracted to the "mystical" properties of a fine Japanese finisher, and nice thuringians keep evading me on ebay. I have my nortons, and my coticule, and I use them proficiently, and yes, I shave fine off of them. But its time to expand into the unknown world of JNats...

Hit up Alex stone_enter
or Maksim: JapaneseNaturalStones

Ask for a "razor size" finisher, and you can get a killer stone without breaking the bank.
A tomo nagura is a must btw.
I've bought a couple Ozukus from Maksim and couldn't be happier.

That first link is affordable and specatacular. thank you!