Thread: First Jnat....I think

I have been wanting to try out a Jnat and was about to take the plunge when I seen this one on the bay and figured I would try it as long as it wasn't going to cost me what it would if I was going to get the one I wanted. It was listed as a very fine finisher. I ended up getting it and wasn't to sure on how it would turn out since I wasn't really familiar with the seller, but seemed to get a positive feedback. Plus I have never used one so I was even more worried. The stone is 6"x2". Anyway when I got it figured I would lap it even though it was supposed to be lapped. One thing I noticed right away when I started lapping was it smelled. It smelled like dirt really bad. It still does. It has an almost icy feel to the touch to it. It has some sparkle in it and there are some lines that can only be seen at a certain angle. Tried to get them in the pictures. I found that interesting. Not sure if any of this is normal, but whatever I bought it so I have to deal with it. Well figured I might as well try it out instead of just staring at it so I took 4 razors to 8k and finished on the new stone. Raising a slurry was a pain except for the part of the slurry stone that had some saw marks or scratches. I could pick the stone up by the slurry stone when using the flat side. Honing also had an icy feel too it like running the razor over an ice cube. I tried finishing each razor in different ways that I read on here about and I was pleasantly surprised. Each razor took an exceptionally smooth edge that gave a great, comfortable shave. Well since I wasn't sure about the seller and whether or not this is an actual Jnat I might just have to get another one from a seller that has a following to compare. For some reason I keep finding excuses to keep getting more stones and more razors. What a hobby. Here is the mystery stone.

Hard to tell from the pics.
Can you do a close up of the surface, and the side?

Right now ti looks like the Chinese natural

Thats what I was almost thinking except the characteristics are completely different to the C12k I have. Im thinking the stone might have come from Japan, but it isn't the typical stone associated with Jnats, but like I said I have never used one so I know absolutely nothing about these stones. The sun moved on me so the pictures aren't the best. The sides still have saw marks so not much to see and the surface was hard to capture with the camera.

For me it is hard to tell, if you have a Chinese Natural to compare to, and it feels different, then most likely your stone is not a Chinese natural.

Yea it feels alot different. It gave 4 razors an exceptionally smooth edge that I liked so I can't really complain, but I think I am mainly just trying to find an excuse to eventually buy another Jnat to compare it to this one. I could almost compare that icy feel to one of the coticules I have, but this stones feel is alot finer.

To be honest, I know nothing about Jnats. However, every picture I've ever seen of one showed a stone with irregular shape, not all the nice right angles like yours has.

At any rate, it sounds like you've got a nice finisher, whatever it is.

I know hardly anything about Jnats but I agree with mainaman that stone has Chinese written all over it. I actually had a similar one which I returned to sender (it was described as a vintage stone), it had small dark wigly lines, orange inclusions and of course circular saw marks.

They can be useful finishers but you shouldn't have to pay a premium price for it.

Here it is next to my C12k for comparison. My C12k is pretty scratched up atm though. I wasn't going to get it if I had to pay a premium price for it, but since it was alittle more than what a C12k costs thought I would take a chance. Eventually I will end up getting a Jnat that I can trust to compare, but will mess around with this one for awhile until HAD kicks in.

Doesn't look like any Japanese stone that I've ever seen. Not that I'm an expert or anything...

What makes you think it's Japanese? Maybe you know better than I.

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

Here it is next to my C12k for comparison. My C12k is pretty scratched up atm though. I wasn't going to get it if I had to pay a premium price for it, but since it was alittle more than what a C12k costs thought I would take a chance. Eventually I will end up getting a Jnat that I can trust to compare, but will mess around with this one for awhile until HAD kicks in.

The thing is the Chinese naturals vary in appearance, there are striped ones , with brown bands, etc. Glen made a thread but I can't remember the title.
Here a few threads I was able to find
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...uestion-s.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...discovery.html