Thread: Hone of the Day

Every one of my 125+ razors is finished on that stone. It's that good.That says it all. I have been trying different natural hones for years, searching for "the one." I may have finally found it.

Gave this a refresh before I shaved, typical Iwasaki phenomenal steel, looking at the edge off the 20K the striations are barely visible under the loupe, the steel composition and structure are so smooth, the bevel on the Omote side looks like a glass mirror.

mk4 on the kiita for some practice, good results

Got to love an Iwasaki kamisori. Do use a typical ratio, Jamie?

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Got to love an Iwasaki kamisori. Do use a typical ratio, Jamie?

Mark, I usually do a 10 to 1 ratio, 10 forward only strokes on the Omote bevel side and one light up and downstroke on the Ura stamp side, I repeat this a few times checking both sides with the loupe, then once finished I strop the same way on my hanging strop. PS I also forgot to add I also tape the Omote and spine, as the Omote is a standout grind on the backside If you don't tape it will wear down quickly and start to increase the size of the bevel which most users don't want.

My ratio is usually 10:1 too. On my finishing laps I'll go 5:1 then maybe a few ultra light 1:1.

I tape both sides too now after I put a bit of wear on my Swedish steel Iwasaki. Like you say it happened very quickly.

Just got my first JNats and nagura in today, so really wanted to try them. The W&B needed a refresh anyway, as it was starting to pull a little (after about 3 years of not touching it up at all!), so I decided to try out the JNats... Shobu, Komo, Tomo then Awasedo only. The edge LOOKS good... but proof will be in the shave in the next day or so.



Cant figure out how to get the pic to upload right side up, though. Weird... posted many pics here in the past with no issues.

Originally Posted by Aldwyn

Just got my first JNats and nagura in today, so really wanted to try them. The W&B needed a refresh anyway, as it was starting to pull a little (after about 3 years of not touching it up at all!), so I decided to try out the JNats... Shobu, Komo, Tomo then Awasedo only. The edge LOOKS good... but proof will be in the shave in the next day or so.



Cant figure out how to get the pic to upload right side up, though. Weird... posted many pics here in the past with no issues.

I presume that this is the correct orientation?

Yes! How? When? Where?

Testing some progressions with the pictured stones. I haven’t tested the edge yet but I’m expecting it will/may be amazing - best yet. This razor’s steel is on par with my Heljestrand in terms of hardness but it’s 1/4 grind so honing is grueling.

Razor
Koyei “Handmade”

Rocks (Bottom to Top, Back to Front)
Hakka, Marouyama Aisa
Ohira Suita, Ozuko
Nakayama Mizu Asagi

Progression
Marouyama —> Hakka —> Suita —> Ozuko/Nakayama

I decided the Marouyama - Suita progression is effective and worthwhile for this razor. The Ozuko and Nakayama are interchangeable. Nagura progression was typical. Satisfying my goals along the way was painstakingly challenging with this razor. Hopefully the shave will reflect the effort!