Thread: Stones to hone kamisori.

I'm buying a kamisori at the end of the month and everything else I need to have (brushes, strop, soap etc). I want to do my own honing with it. What would be the best set up firstly cheaply (around $200), secondly best (no price constraint)? I'm going to buy a cheap kamisori in used condition to practice before I take it to my nice razors.

A quality Japanese natural finisher and a good set of Tomonagura,,,


Anything else is a compromise, the price and the skills to use them are not cheap...


Kamisori "Maintenance" is down right easy, however "Honing" a Kamisori that isn't shaving is a lesson in frustration at a cost of steel, for a newb..

Thanks gssixgun, can you point me to any links? EU preferable but no essential.

Originally Posted by fossala

Thanks gssixgun, can you point me to any links? EU preferable but no essential.

Instructions for Kamisori honing;
Honing Razors and Nihonkamisori: Updated. | Eastern Smooth: The Blog

EU sites for good Jnats;
JNS Store Temporarily Closed for Maintenance
japan-messer-shop - hochwertige japanische Kochmesser, Santoku, Gyuto, Damastmesser und Schleifsteine,Kochmesser und Schleifsteine im japan-messer-shop.de

I know there is at least one UK site to but cant find it right now.

Good luck and welcome to the dark side!

Edit: I know they are down for maintenance but they will be back soon!

Is there anywhere I can get a nagura set? JNS seem to be out of stock.

Originally Posted by fossala

Is there anywhere I can get a nagura set? JNS seem to be out of stock.

Yes JNS is out of stock, he might get some more soon, email Maksim and ask him.
Japan Messer Shop is up and running again and they got Naguras... japan-messer-shop -
You can email them in english and their service is excellent as is JNS.

Originally Posted by fossala

I'm buying a kamisori at the end of the month and everything else I need to have (brushes, strop, soap etc). I want to do my own honing with it. What would be the best set up firstly cheaply (around $200), secondly best (no price constraint)? I'm going to buy a cheap kamisori in used condition to practice before I take it to my nice razors.

I did that once with one kamisori. It was cheap, it couldn't get sharp (soft tamahagane with the stamp), I wanted to try it, when I started test shave I realized that I need to go somewhere in 3 hours, and I didn't have any other razors in the vicinity. The lesson is, be careful what kamisori you are buying if you are new to the kamisori buying sport. Before you buy stones, give it to a friend or someone who can test it if it can be honed to the point of shave.
After that, I'm not sure if there is a reason you have to buy a Japanese honing set. Keep your money.
A king 1k, a C12k and one slurry stone, one stone honing and from the 200$ budget, you will keep your 160. Practice, not with the kamisori, they are too expensive. It takes some time to understand your stones. If you want to buy better stones, a naniwa chosera 1k and a coticule. It can be a combo with BBW, then you can enjoy also the BBW side. If not, just use your coticule. The Jnats are a gamble. I have to say though, those sellers are trusted.

Does one have to use japanese stones on a Kamisori.
Cann't one just pick a really super fine stone.
To finish it. Does one need to strop those blades with
leather.

Originally Posted by Suile

Does one have to use japanese stones on a Kamisori.
Cann't one just pick a really super fine stone.
To finish it. Does one need to strop those blades with
leather.

you strop the kamisori as you would any other razor.
I am not sure how well synthetics work on kamisoris, but for naturals Jnats seem to work best.

Unless one is really messed up, most will hone well on a decent finishing stone including synthetics. I normally will start with an 8K and then a finishing stone on the ones I do for people and they get there pretty quickly. Fun razor to hone and shave with.

Enjoy