Thread: Hone of the Day

For me I really don't think any Japanese natural will remove or erase the polish or refinement left by a Naniwa 12K and definitely not the edge left by an SG 20K, I just see the Japanese natural laying down its own edge, replacing the already higher level of polish and refinement that was left by the Naniwa 12K or 20k, in fact, I think I would use the Japanese natural directly after a 1K bevel set I don't see the point in using a 12K or 20K if you are going to replace that edge with natural stone, I think it defeats the object.

I'm a lurker around these parts most of the time. This has be one interesting reading lately. I enjoy my 20k and I got my feet wet when it comes to the Jnats with the help of Steve. But the 20k rules in my book.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

So you have a string of unicorns. Congratulations !
I once had the option to buy a Nakayama Suita that polished down to 1k but I didn't find the edge as nice as a dedicated final polisher.
I'll still argue those stones are the exception to the rule & don't forget slurry contains different sized particles which causes light to diffract at different angles so what you see as "removed" scratches can be a trick of the eye.
Do the same test with water alone & also shave test. If you have a good microscope would be cool to see the different patterns.

Thank you Oz, since that post I also tried some slower polishers and they will definitely not remove the N12k finish in 6 strokes on their own slurry.

What you an Sandr say about suita as razor finishers I also find to be true, but the real unicorn is a suita that can finish a razor as well as a slower polisher. They do exist but are not common. The thick stone on the stand is likely a sunashi, and the rosy looking stone has a streak of white with su in it, so maybe it is too, or a myoukakudani transition layer. Who knows but they are both top notch razor finishers though the thick one benefits from a dozen clear water strokes at the end. The two 60 cuts on stands are definitely not suita but they are that fast.

I don’t have a microscope but the 12k finish is gone at 20x, but it’s a possibility that there are some left that I can’t see, but they would have to be very few except for the occasional coarser scratch that nearly all synths leave behind. I’ve chatted with Alex Gilmore about this interesting experiment, and he certainly has many stones just as fast, so maybe he will give it a whirl then have a look at 320x.

As far as the Gok 20k goes, it is the best synthetic finisher that there is, though I would like to try the 30k Shapton Glass High Carbon - that one might if it performs on scale like it’s coarser siblings. Jnats can make a smoother feeling edge than the Gok 20k, but not many will. That’s the problem with the jnat rabbit hole, you’re going to have to buy a good number of them to find one that will. I don’t really recommend jnats (or coticules) to people unless they’re going to make hones a part of the hobby, the chances of getting a jnat that can beat a really good synth in one or two tries is almost zero. People who have these stones and know what they have don’t give them away either. And of course one should not judge jnats or cotis as a class of finishers based on one or two examples, that just doesn’t work with most naturals.

Joseph Rodgers & Co.
1k Debado Bevel Set & Full Nagura Progression on the Ozuku Kiita.. Finished on water..
Cheers

7/8 Rodgers Refined Steel, the edge had a few small chips at the heel and up near the toe, just fractions of a mm but the steel is hard. It also had a very slight frown near the heel, which is not uncommon on these old razors. One layer of 1 mil Kapton was used.

A mellow 325 DMT did the chip removal honors, followed by Shapton Glass HR 500, 1k, and 2k. A Shapton Glass HC 6k followed then the jnat finisher with thin slurry and about 30 clear water strokes.

Originally Posted by Steve56

7/8 Rodgers Refined Steel, the edge had a few small chips at the heel and up near the toe, just fractions of a mm but the steel is hard. It also had a very slight frown near the heel, which is not uncommon on these old razors. One layer of 1 mil Kapton was used.

A mellow 325 DMT did the chip removal honors, followed by Shapton Glass HR 500, 1k, and 2k. A Shapton Glass HC 6k followed then the jnat finisher with thin slurry and about 30 clear water strokes.

That one looks like it's trying to develop a frown. I have no doubt a honer of your caliber has things well in hand.

It did have a small frown near the heel, but the chip removal fixed that. It is frown free now.

Touch up on my 8/8 portland razor with 2 layers of Kapton tape with new stone. Nakayama Karasu I believe, linked a video of it as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry8gSB-enkI

[QUOTE=Christian1;1920991]Touch up on my 8/8 portland razor with 2 layers of Kapton tape with new stone. Nakayama Karasu I believe, linked a video of it as well.


Wow, that's a beautiful razor and hone. My neighbor got a PRC when I got him started on straights, and I've considered getting one myself. I don't get their off-center pinning, though-do you know why they do it that way?

The wedge must be glued in also or that pinning would show a spread. It's a nice look but also a giveaway of glue used. IMO.