Question: Naniwa SS (mine just arrived, 1-3-8k)

So my order arrived three days ago. 1k, 3k and 8k Naniwa Super Stones (10mm thickness 'cuz I'm cheap :P) to which I may later by adding a 5k stone, and a finisher: either 10 or 12, depending on the advice I receive. However the most important question I have to ask is whether or not I can begin using them without a Nagura stone.

I have one on order, and paid for the fastest possible shipping (it's one of 330 mate's Iyo Nagura blocks) but it's yet to arrive and I'm itching to get to work with these stones. On the flip side I don't want them getting plugged up. I've held off on lapping them (though I have plenty of wet & dry sheets for each and a smooth glass cutting board which I've used to lap my welsh stones quite a few times) to help avoid the temptation, but I'd by lying if I said it wasn't getting to me.

Could I simply clean off the swarf at whiles with a cloth, or perhaps give them a rub with a slurry-stone (I have Dragon Tongue, Yellow Lake and Welsh Thuri slurry stones), or perhaps my tiny greenstone hone (it's too hard to make slurry on without a diamond plate so it shouldn't leave any foreign particles behind) before rinsing off the slurry? Bear in mind this is only a temporary measure. According to the tracker my nagura should arrive in 4-14 days. That said I don't want to damage my stones. I'd rather wait if there's any chance.

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice.

any stone coarser than 3k that is hard will work. make sure it's flat first or you could rub low spots on the naniwa eventually. pat dry don't rub with a cloth, rubbing can grind those fuzzies into the pores.

Oh when I said rub I meant under running water. Wiping off the swarf. Thanks for your advice though! Now I need to lap my Naniwas. I lapped my slurry stones recently, but I think they and my slates need another session. Might as well do the lot. Now I just need to find a pencil...

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Originally Posted by dadsavage

(it's too hard to make slurry on without a diamond plate so it shouldn't leave any foreign particles behind).

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If you have access to Diamond plates either DMT or Atoma they are by far the easiest, fastest, most accurate, and least likely to embed errant grit into the rather soft surface of the Naniwa SS hones..

Anything else, you are going to have to be very aware of issues when using them, each other alternative method will have it's own issues that need to be addressed

Having the naniwas myself, I would suggest getting a lapping plate soon. They are soft stones that seem to wear relatively quick with moderate use. I find myself lapping them a lot. Especially the 1k when I have to do a lot of work on a bevel.

Ditto on the diamond lapping plate - maybe Santa can bring one to you :)

John

I have all but the 3k in the naniwa ss (must remedy that) and lapped with the DMT D8C. When you need to clean just a couple laps with the DMT or rub with hand under water and your good to go. You don't need a nagura or slurry to use the stones. Watch some of Glens or Lynns vids and you will see what I mean. Good luck. Ed

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If you have access to Diamond plates either DMT or Atoma they are by far the easiest, fastest, most accurate, and least likely to embed errant grit into the rather soft surface of the Naniwa SS hones..

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Unfortunately the diamond plate I'm talking about isn't DMT, Atoma, Eze-Lap or any of the other high-quality brands. I just use it for very course sharpening work, and have used it to make some slurry on my little jade stone. I don't think it would survive many lapping sessions, and I don't know if I trust its flatness. That and it's only six inches long.

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Having the naniwas myself, I would suggest getting a lapping plate soon. They are soft stones that seem to wear relatively quick with moderate use. I find myself lapping them a lot. Especially the 1k when I have to do a lot of work on a bevel.

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Ditto on the diamond lapping plate - maybe Santa can bring one to you

John

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I have all but the 3k in the naniwa ss (must remedy that) and lapped with the DMT D8C. When you need to clean just a couple laps with the DMT or rub with hand under water and your good to go. You don't need a nagura or slurry to use the stones. Watch some of Glens or Lynns vids and you will see what I mean. Good luck. Ed

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I have my eye on the DMT D8C from Sharpening supplies, but postage is an issue so I prefer to buy more than one thing at a time; in this case I'll probably get his Nani 12k and 5k to complete my set . For the time being I've been planning to simply lap with wet & dry sandpaper (240, 600, 1200 for each stone) it's never been an issue with my slates (I start with 120 there) and I mean to use a much lighter hand with the SS stones. Even so I'm hoping to have the DMT stone in a month or two.

As for the Nagura, it arrived yesterday (in the evening) funnily enough, but it's not for making slurry on the SS stones. Rather I've been warned that these stones (Naniwa SS) have a habit of getting plugged up, and that it's best to give them a gentle rub at whiles with a Nagura (under running water I believe) after wiping the swarf off. Moreover I've been advised this sort of natural nagura (Iyo?) has superior characteristics when it comes to keeping stones from getting plugged up.

Attachment 147614Attachment 147616

Here it is (excuse the poor quality images, they were taken in a hurry) it's quite hard. Feels a little chalky, almost.

I should note I've yet to do any of this. My SS Stones are still neatly boxed, unlapped and unused. If, for their sake, you guys think I should wait until I've got a DMT stone to lap them with I can order one post-haste, but it may take some time to arrive amid the pre-Christmas post.