Thread: Ozuku Asagi (Koppa)

Well, there are several comments in their sections of different stones about how they are for razors. they've been in business for a while, and I've personally had very good experience with them (I have bought more woodworking stuff than razor stuff). They probably know enough now to know which stones are going to be good razor stones, and in reality, the criteria isn't that difficult for a good razor stone. For a superb razor stone, things are a lot tighter and there's a lot more subjectivity.

But for a good one, the particles need to be relatively small and dense, and the stone needs to be hard enough to give you the option of slurrying it or having it hold all of its grit tight.

If someone told me they were on a budget, I would tell them to take their changes with CKTG's stone. If they were on a budget, but it wasn't as strict, I'd tell them to go to alex and ask for function over beauty, and if no budget at all, I'd tell them to go to alex and ask for the nicest to use superfine stone he has.

But I stand by my comment that I wouldn't be at all afraid to order from CKTG, because I have used ozukus that are graded as finishers for woodworking, and I've used razor ozukus and the stones from CKTG are much finer than the woodworking finishers I have. If I only have one lament, it's cutting the mine into naguras and then finding out it's really too hard and fine to work without me further scuffing or cutting across the surface of the stone as naguras.

But, anyway, at this point, probably enough people have ordered stones from CKTG for razors for them to be able to tell you what people are happy with. they can certainly identify stones that are too fine to be practical for knife use, and that are not scratchy. Any stone that meets that criteria will be a pretty easy natural stone to use.

Originally Posted by DaveW

Well, there are several comments in their sections of different stones about how they are for razors. they've been in business for a while, and I've personally had very good experience with them (I have bought more woodworking stuff than razor stuff). They probably know enough now to know which stones are going to be good razor stones, and in reality, the criteria isn't that difficult for a good razor stone. For a superb razor stone, things are a lot tighter and there's a lot more subjectivity.

Problem is the reviews are for a particular stone from the many they have had for sale, as we all know with naturals no two stones are alike, the ones with biggest disparity being the Coticules and Jnats. So if a newbie reads the reviews and they know nothing about Jnats, they will think the reviews,much like for synthetics, apply to every stone that is sold under the name; that would be an incorrect assumption.
In general if a newbie, when it comes to Jnats or natural stones in general(may be except Thuringinas/Eschers), wants to get a stone he should ask the seller to test on razor and guarantee performance and return in case the stone does not work as advertised. Buying stone not suitable for the task could be rather frustrating to a newbie. Imagine a new guy trying to get a top notch edge when certain stone just can't produce it.

One other thing we forgot here is to ask the OP has his experience with honing and using synthetics. Jumping into naturals if there is not enough experience with synthetics in most cases could by a daunting task.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Jumping into naturals if there is not enough experience with synthetics in most cases could by a daunting task.

Definitely true. Especially if someone goes from an edge that's not got the bevel set correctly and tries to keep rubbing their razor on a super fine and super hard stone.

Originally Posted by mainaman

as we all know with naturals no two stones are alike ...
In general if a newbie, when it comes to Jnats, wants to get a stone he should ask the seller to test on razor and guarantee performance and return in case the stone does not work as advertised ...

Jumping into naturals if there is not enough experience with synthetics in most cases could by a daunting task.

I can personally vouch for this from experience myself, as a newbie who jumped into jnats. What i know from that buying experience - Every stone is different, the stone itself needs to be tested and reviewed. Buy from a reputable dealer, and make sure you can return it. But then again, in order for this to do any good, *you will need to have the ability to judge if it is a good stone as soon as you get it*, something most newbies cannot. It is safer to go the synthetic route at first.