Thread: Koma Nagura worth the money?

So I'm about to find out if the Koma Nagura is worth the money, because I just bought one!! This is a "non-asano" Mikawa Koma that I just picked up. It cost me a small fortune, but I'm hoping that it's at least fun to play with if nothing else. I will be sure to post my findings once I have a chance to use it...

Originally Posted by jpcwon

So I'm about to find out if the Koma Nagura is worth the money, because I just bought one!! This is a "non-asano" Mikawa Koma that I just picked up. It cost me a small fortune, but I'm hoping that it's at least fun to play with if nothing else. I will be sure to post my findings once I have a chance to use it...

That is not certified Koma, it is stamped as such but not Asano stamped, it may or it may not work well. Authentic Koma are inspected for purity and Asano stamped.

Originally Posted by mainaman

That is not certified Koma, it is stamped as such but not Asano stamped, it may or it may not work well. Authentic Koma are inspected for purity and Asano stamped.

Gotcha. Yeah I figured it was a gamble as it's not actually Asano stamped, but we shall see I guess...I will let you know how it works once I have a chance to use it.

I also bought a non-asano-stamped Botan which I have already used and it seems to work just fine, so hopefully I'll have the same luck with this Koma!

Just out of curiosity; how will I know whether it's working well or not? Do I look at the scratch patterns, or will I be able to tell by observing the slurry?

All I have to add to this is that a: it's a heck of a lot of fun to use these things (no experience with koma myself but all other asano naguras) and b: you're talking to the right guy (Stefan). I myself was once in the dark when it came to JNAT related information. I still know only about 1% of what there is to know about them but i DO know how to use mine effectively and get superior results.

Just to throw it out there, it's a little off topic BUT the biggest difference with the JNATS I've seen is the keenness of the razor. I believe that they can achieve the same smoothness results as any thuringian stone or coticule but achieve a much higher level of sharpness.

For razors I've honed with my JNAT I have to use a much more shallow angle of attack when shaving or I run the risk of razor burn. With coticule or thuringian stones I've noticed I can increase the angle of attack while still getting smoothness out of them. When shaving with my JNAT finished stones I am almost laying the razor flat on my face for all 3 passes. I've been doing 3 pass shaves every day for 17 days now with either my ozuku or nakayama finished razors without any razor burn or irritation.

I almost miss the burn I got from my alcohol based aftershaves when I was shaving with razors finished on other stones. These edges work so well that I only feel localized burn from alcohol, usually around the knob of my chin.

Best of luck to you with your honing endeavors!

Thanks, brooksie!

Yeah I am just starting to jump down the JNAT rabbit hole, and have eveything to learn!! Do I need a Koma nagura? Well that's up for debate, but I'll tell you I'm having a great time fooling around with these stones (and am getting some fantastic results along the way!!)

I'll be sure to share my results as I begin to use this little (expensive!) sucker....

I am new to Jnats too. So far the only thing I have been able to do is use plain water to get an iwasaki from almost shave ready to shave ready. I have had 0 success taking a kamisori from new to shave ready. But I'm working on it. Back at if for me.......

Originally Posted by suits123

I am new to Jnats too. So far the only thing I have been able to do is use plain water to get an iwasaki from almost shave ready to shave ready. I have had 0 success taking a kamisori from new to shave ready. But I'm working on it. Back at if for me.......

you can make your life much easier by taking the kamisori to 8k (or 5k if really needs work) and then go to the Jnat.

Originally Posted by mainaman

you can make your life much easier by taking the kamisori to 8k (or 5k if really needs work) and then go to the Jnat.

Yes I have. I set the bevel on a coticule. I followed gssixgun's video as best I could. I am hoping it is just the learning curve not a bad honing set.