Thread: Jnats

Hello, Ive been fooling around with my Jnats a bit. My most recent discovery(im sure I didn't discover it) is honing on chosera 1, 5k. Then hitting my nakayama asagi using only a very light tomo slurry 2x finishing on water only for 20 laps. less than 5 minutes. Very fast and a great edge. I used to go through all the naguras. I started eliminating some and this is what I have come up with. I get the same result from my shuobodani as well as my ozuku asagi. Fast sharp and smooth. Why did I get all those naguras and koma? Anybody?

People approach honing differently. Sometimes the same person approaches it differently on different days. If you're looking for the fastest and simplest way to get a good edge, then you'll probably end up where you are now. If you're trying to see how far you can take an edge, then you're constantly experimenting with anything that gives slightly more refinement. I know that in addition to that, some of us are simply curious about what we can do and how far we can go with different stones and what other types of edges we can get.

Those additional Nagura are, from one perspective, specialty tools, like what a finish work carpenter might have, to be used when you want to do really, really fine work. You don't have to have them to make a serviceable product, but many people wouldn't dream of being without them.

I think it's cool that you can get an edge you like with a simple, fast progression and are happy. If you need help disposing of those useless additional nagura, I run a home for lost, abandoned and unwanted hones. They'll be greeted warmly here and well loved.

Originally Posted by bill3152

Hello, Ive been fooling around with my Jnats a bit. My most recent discovery(im sure I didn't discover it) is honing on chosera 1, 5k. Then hitting my nakayama asagi using only a very light tomo slurry 2x finishing on water only for 20 laps. less than 5 minutes. Very fast and a great edge. I used to go through all the naguras. I started eliminating some and this is what I have come up with. I get the same result from my shuobodani as well as my ozuku asagi. Fast sharp and smooth. Why did I get all those naguras and koma? Anybody?

I been doing one nagura honing on Jnat for a long time, it works just fine. A lot of people out there are led to believe that one has to use 4 nagura to be able to hone a razor, that is not the case. There are a lot of purists out there that advocate the use of all naguras, and claim that the edge then is the best, which certainly is not the case when you know what you are doing. Nothing wrong with 4 naguras honing of coarse, but not necessary by any means.

I have my naguras in a nice warm padded box, Im hoping they make babies! I still use the naguras and since I have them, Im sure I will find uses for them. I even managed to find a koma. But for a noob I would say you don't have to have to have them but its nice. Actually you don't have to have jnats either as there are many alternative stones.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I been doing one nagura honing on Jnat for a long time, it works just fine. A lot of people out there are led to believe that one has to use 4 nagura to be able to hone a razor, that is not the case. There are a lot of purists out there that advocate the use of all naguras, and claim that the edge then is the best, which certainly is not the case when you know what you are doing. Nothing wrong with 4 naguras honing of coarse, but not necessary by any means.

My first excellent edge off my nakayama asagi mizu was reached by your personal advice and I thank you for it!

Originally Posted by mainaman

I been doing one nagura honing on Jnat for a long time, it works just fine. A lot of people out there are led to believe that one has to use 4 nagura to be able to hone a razor, that is not the case. There are a lot of purists out there that advocate the use of all naguras, and claim that the edge then is the best, which certainly is not the case when you know what you are doing. Nothing wrong with 4 naguras honing of coarse, but not necessary by any means.

Stefan,
Are there cases or circumstances where you would say that using a single nagura gives a better edge than multiple ones? If so, what are those cases? Why would one NOT want to use what are theoretically finer grits in a nagura progression and stop at only one (besides time and effort of course). And of course, if you're going to do a single nagura hone, which one do you choose and why?

Please use a number two pencil and answer in complete sentences. You'll be graded for both style and accuracy.

I have cut down the number of Nagura that I use and find it works just fine. There are a couple of razors that have some very hard steel, TI C135 steel comes to mind, that it just saves time to go through most of the progression.


Later,
R

Like many of us here, I bought the entire set of Nagura 2x including Koma. As mentioned, I'm always looking for Shavevana or the next level of sharpness. I hardly ever use them anymore. If I do, I too use only one, and it's Mejiro usually on an Ozuko. (did I spell it correctly?) Lately, I'm into "less is more"

Chosera 1k for bevels, Shapton GS 4k and 8k and then a finisher of my choice dictated by the razor. Sometimes a pre polisher is needed depending on the finisher.

Originally Posted by Oakeshott

Stefan,
Are there cases or circumstances where you would say that using a single nagura gives a better edge than multiple ones?

I am not aware of differences, that is why I use one nagura most of the time. Depending on the finisher I may add a very fine tomonagura.

Why would one NOT want to use what are theoretically finer grits in a nagura progression and stop at only one (besides time and effort of course). And of course, if you're going to do a single nagura hone, which one do you choose and why?

There are no finer grits, that is where people are still wrong when it comes to Jnats, we are trained to think in numbers and tend to assign quantitative measure to hones. With Jnats there is only speed of break down and aggressiveness of the cutting action. The ideal nagura would be a really soft one that cuts very fast and breaks down easy, this is not very common combination. Koma is so popular just because it kind of combines those properties the best of the naguras. I personally have mejiro that is almost as good as the best Koma I have handled, and that is what I use.
I think that owning a set of 4 nagura is definitely not a waste, however for all intents and purposes and given the rarity and prices for Koma, one can go by with just Mejiro or Tenjio. I think Botan is too slow to break down to be used on its own. By the way from what I have heard in Japan many barbers use Tsushima as their only nagura when honing razors.

Good thread bill3152. I use a “depleted” DMT 600 to raise slurry on my Nakayama Mizu Asagi. There is less risk of contaminating the stone with a coarser grit IMO. As a side note, notice the layering effect of Nakayama Mizu Asagi compared to a Barbers Delight Escher pictured below. Enjoy the pics.
Mike



Asagi top - Escher bottom