DMT 325 for JNat slurry

Gentlemen.

After reading many posts on the subject im looking to buy a DMT 325 to use as a diamond nagura to create slurry from a Kitta base stone.
I know there are pros and cons instead of using a tomo but tomos can be expensive, especially getting one in the UK and I could potentially go through a few to get a decent one.
Out of these two which one would be better?

Attachment 241105Attachment 241106

One is the dia-sharp credit card size, the other is the mini diamond polka dot pattern.
I know I'll have to wear it out a bit before use as all that recommend them say to use a well worn one. I also considered an Atoma 1200 but again these can be very pricey in the UK.

Any thoughts or experiences appreciated.

I have and use dia-sharp credit card size on my smaller Japanese naturals, and a well worn DMT 325 and the Atoma. I like them all and get good results with them all.
If I had to just use one it would be the Atoma.

I have a few of the polka-dot style that aren't very flat, not sure if the credit card style is any better or not though. As far as JNat use, diamond nagura slurry is much faster cutting than tomo slurry, but I find that I get a slightly more comfortable edge (especially ATG) when razors are finished with tomonagura slurry. The method I often use is a DN slurry followed by a tomo slurry or sometimes two. That seems to work very well after say a 2k bevel reset.

Addendum: this above is for those stones on the harder end of the spectrum BTW. I find that with softer JNats it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference what they're slurried with - and those often (but not always) finish a bit better (more comfortable shaving edge) with either very thin slurry or even straight water.

Cheers, id say my Kitta is hard but not excessively hard. I just really only want to use it with a fine mist of base slurry. Im still experimenting with this hone and want to exhaust all options to get the max from it.

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Cheers, id say my Kitta is hard but not excessively hard. I just really only want to use it with a fine mist of base slurry. Im still experimenting with this hone and want to exhaust all options to get the max from it.

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If you want the base stone slurry get one ultra hard tomonagura and you are set.

The problem is getting tomos in the UK is hard. I would have to get it shipped here and I always get stung for import tax, this means a $30 tomo from say Aframestokyo plus shipping and import tax would cost $90 or more.:(

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

The problem is getting tomos in the UK is hard. I would have to get it shipped here and I always get stung for import tax, this means a $30 tomo from say Aframestokyo plus shipping and import tax would cost $90 or more.:(

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Wow! You guys should get out of the EU :deadhorse:

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

The problem is getting tomos in the UK is hard. I would have to get it shipped here and I always get stung for import tax, this means a $30 tomo from say Aframestokyo plus shipping and import tax would cost $90 or more.:(

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Ouch, man that really stinks! Sorry to hear that!

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Originally Posted by mainaman

If you want the base stone slurry get one ultra hard tomonagura and you are set.

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I like this idea. Is a Nakayama an ultra hard one? If not, what do you suggest! :)

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Originally Posted by SirMike

I like this idea. Is a Nakayama an ultra hard one? If not, what do you suggest! :)

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Each stone is different, I have not seen an ultra hard Nakayama but I am sure there are plenty out there. I have a super hard Shobodani and Ozuko tomonagura. Those will work up (slowly) slurry from the base stone mainly. Tospeed up theprocess it helps to cut grooves in the tomonagura to reduce stiction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Each stone is different, I have not seen an ultra hard Nakayama but I am sure there are plenty out there. I have a super hard Shobodani and Ozuko tomonagura. Those will work up (slowly) slurry from the base stone mainly. Tospeed up theprocess it helps to cut grooves in the tomonagura to reduce stiction.

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Okay, my understanding is that the Nakayama are real hard jnats like an Ozuku but of course I am not sure if they are considered "ultra hard". Out of these stones, the Nakayama Asagi, Ozuku Asagi and a Shoubudani, which one the hardest stone and best to use for a base stone with a nagura?

I was told that I would just need one ultra hard nagura that would work any any of the stones listed above so trying to find one! Thanks for the help!

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Originally Posted by SirMike

Okay, my understanding is that the Nakayama are real hard jnats like an Ozuku but of course I am not sure if they are considered "ultra hard". Out of these stones, the Nakayama Asagi, Ozuku Asagi and a Shoubudani, which one the hardest stone and best to use for a base stone with a nagura?

I was told that I would just need one ultra hard nagura that would work any any of the stones listed above so trying to find one! Thanks for the help!

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The hardest I have ever seen was a Shobodani Asagi, but my hardest stone now is Ozuko asagi. In general Nakayama are not the hardest out there, again there are specimen that will be very hard. I do not think that looking for the hardest base stone is the right way to go. The reason being fineness and hardness are not necessarily related. Super hard stones while quite possibly very fine are also more likely to scratch the bevels of a razor. Those types are the hardest to learn because of that. A little less hard stone can be extremely fine as well but much easier to use. Finding the right J-Nats for ones taste and style of honing is a bit of a rbit hole.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

The hardest I have ever seen was a Shobodani Asagi, but my hardest stone now is Ozuko asagi. In general Nakayama are not the hardest out there, again there are specimen that will be very hard. I do not think that looking for the hardest base stone is the right way to go. The reason being fineness and hardness are not necessarily related. Super hard stones while quite possibly very fine are also more likely to scratch the bevels of a razor. Those types are the hardest to learn because of that. A little less hard stone can be extremely fine as well but much easier to use. Finding the right J-Nats for ones taste and style of honing is a bit of a rbit hole.

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I understand your point. Thanks for the information.

I hope I didn't get off track with my rambling on but just to clarify, I have the Nakayama Asagi and the Ozuku Asagi and just trying to get an idea of their abilities, hardness, speed etc. to decide which one I would like to use. I am also trying to find a nagura that will work with either and others like a Shoubudani if I get one down the line or to replace the two I already have. My other thought was to use one of the two I already have with a nagura set like the 3 stone one if that would work with them.


I understand there is a rabbit hole for sure but I really don't want to try out (purchase/then sell) various jnats if I don't have to.

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Originally Posted by SirMike

I understand your point. Thanks for the information.

I hope I didn't get off track with my rambling on but just to clarify, I have the Nakayama Asagi and the Ozuku Asagi and just trying to get an idea of their abilities, hardness, speed etc. to decide which one I would like to use. I am also trying to find a nagura that will work with either and others like a Shoubudani if I get one down the line or to replace the two I already have. My other thought was to use one of the two I already have with a nagura set like the 3 stone one if that would work with them.


I understand there is a rabbit hole for sure but I really don't want to try out (purchase/then sell) various jnats if I don't have to.

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Each stone will be different even from the same mine, so it is impossible to tell how your hones will perform. You have to test and compare the results.
With the tomonagura you will have to try different ones and see which one(s) work best. You can also send the hones out to be evaluated.