Thread: Jnats for noobs

I don't know. I always recommend new guys become more than proficient with synthetics before traveling down the natural road, Especially Jnats. Unless your a Geologist. You need to walk, before you can run. Way too many variables with Jnats, Too many counterfeit stones, and don't get me started on the vendors. I could tell you stories that would steer you clear from Jnats forever, and I'm talking about reputable vendors. Just be careful. That's all I'm saying. Everyone's nice in email when they're trying to sell you something. Don't be Naïve. Make sure you can return the stone, and find out under what conditions. Many vendors will not take back a lapped stone. Also, unless your a dealer or a serious collector, A $3000.00 stone does not equal a $3000.00 shave. Know what your buying. Always use Paypal.

Unless you grew up with they guy your taking a chance. How many guys bought bad stones and didn't send them back because they thought it was them? or perhaps the razor? They set it aside, buy something else and forget about it. Before you know it, a year has gone buy and your stuck with a paperweight. Buying up Jnats like they're MRE's and we're on the verge of the Zombie apocalypse is not the way. I've seen guys on here buying 1/2 a dozen of them at a time. I'm not sure what that's about. You should take your time to learn your stone, especially a natural.

I use the Shapton GS series up to 16k, followed by the Suehiro 20k. It's an awesome shave, period. Just pick a set of stones, and master them. You'll be very, very happy with the results. I do own and use Jnats. I like my Nakayama Maruichi Asagi, and my Nakayama Maruka Asagi. The Shoubudani Asagi and Ozuku are fine too. My Maruka and Maruichi came from Japan from a trusted source. They love hard steel.

I agree with RegulaJoe's, # 15 above. Exercise Caution....And...(Edit....Sorry...!)

Happy New Year....

The Iwasaki manuscript.. I haven't read it yet. I have a few days of and it will make good reading. Thank you. I've found a lot of mention to Hamono no Mikata(How to appreciate a blade)? Which I think is also by Iwasaki. I haven't come across the full transcript.. Is that the same document?

Not the same document. Hamono no Mikata is a book written by the father of Shigeyoshi Iwasaki. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki wrote Honing Razors and Nihon Kamisori, which is free on Jim's blog. It's been so long since I've been to Jim's blog, I didn't even know about Hamono no Mikata until about two minutes ago. According to Jim, it's a pricey book. If you find that puppy for free somewhere let me know!

These things (threads) go sideways so easily don't they? Ha!

Originally Posted by regularjoe

1. Choose a hard stone, and only use it for finishing, while you learn to sharpen your razor with synths.
.....
6. Recognize that if your slurry feels gritty, the stone is a paperweight...Get rid of it now...Preferably make it into dust, so that nobody else has to deal with it again.

1. I wouldn't recommend a hard stone as a beginners stone, they can be very hard to use, a softer jnat can give a very nice edge without all the trouble.

6. Most people I've helped that gets "gritty" slurry just don't take the time to raise it slowly, on a hard stone it can take several minutes
and they can be picky when it comes to tomo naguras, some combinations just don't work.
Even with a stone I know and have used for years it happens I get something "bad" in the slurry, rinse and repeat.
If you still feel it's a "paperweight" send me a PM, lots off papers flying around here when the cats are racing around!

Good for you mike! like u I'm scared of those Jnats.. Too many variables for me... Bill came to my house not to long ago with a crate of hones.. I'm learning on what I have.. All synthetics.. So I tell bill I really love the feel of a jnat finish there is nothing like it in my opinion.. And I have had pro honers finish my razors on all sort of hones.. So bill is watching me everything going great get to my Naniwa 12 k bill says everything look great.. So I say now what.. He breaks out this suehiro 20 k says try this .. I goto work .. Next day I shave I was taking back best shave ever.. Guess what I'm a simple guy loved the shave figured out how to use it, yes one razor no not a pro yet but i decided that's the path I'm taking .. Point of this is whatever path u take I hope u find what works the best and most comfortable for you..


Happy new yr to you and your family.. Excuse the typos iPad..