Thread: nakayama maruka vs Uchigumori?

That guy has stones with those stats listed for $155 pretty much all the time. I'm sure you'll find someone who has bought from him.

I did a search and found the hones you are referring to (they all look like they have cracks in them, but that could just be the way they are - I don't know).

I dunno if this means anything, but those ratings are the same as 330mate's system. So I checked that guy's feedback and, sure enough, tons of purchases from 330mate. Makes me a little suspicious...

Hi again,

I did not want to post the link as I have just joined
the forum and it may look suspicious.

I did a search and found the hones you are referring to (they all look like they have cracks in them, but that could just be the way they are - I don't know).

I dunno if this means anything, but those ratings are the same as 330mate's system. So I checked that guy's feedback and, sure enough, tons of purchases from 330mate. Makes me a little suspicious...

Very sharp holli4pirating! I checked it as well and you
are correct. A lot of purchases from 330 mate. I think
all stones were like 50-60 dollars or so, which he is now selling for 150 dollars or so.

Don't think it is suspicious. Just buying stones and selling for higher prices.

I am guessing he bought a lot of stones and got discount
from 330mate. So the question is can I buy the stone cheaper from 330mate?

If I remember correctly I sent a message to 330mate
and telling about what I wanted and he just recommended Shapton stones

With this info I am going to mail him again.

Haydar

Veins in a stone are not a problem if they are soft. Cracks on the other hand can be.
I am just suspicious of someone advertising Uchigumori as a razor stone but he has good feedback from sales. Your choice.

330mate is sick of razor honers bugging him I think. He started listing a "for razors" size (only $22 shipped, worth a gamble really) a couple weeks ago, and a few members have posted emails from him where he complains about how we ask him to handpick stones for us without paying him for his time.

Personally I'd probably take the gamble on one of his $22 size nakayama's and figure it money gone (a movie, popcorn and a drink these days)... then if that didn't work out I'd either take his advice about the shapton or bite the bullet and pay $300+ for one from someone who caters to razor honers.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Veins in a stone are not a problem if they are soft. Cracks on the other hand can be.
I am just suspicious of someone advertising Uchigumori as a razor stone but he has good feedback from sales. Your choice.

Thanks for the info.

I was thinking if the lines are very narrow then there should be no problem, but wider lines might cause the
blade to go in these lines.

330mate is sick of razor honers bugging him I think. He started listing a "for razors" size (only $22 shipped, worth a gamble really) a couple weeks ago, and a few members have posted emails from him where he complains about how we ask him to handpick stones for us without paying him for his time.

Personally I'd probably take the gamble on one of his $22 size nakayama's and figure it money gone (a movie, popcorn and a drink these days)... then if that didn't work out I'd either take his advice about the shapton or bite the bullet and pay $300+ for one from someone who caters to razor honers

Lol. I have the feeling you might be right about him being fed up of looking for ''special'' stones for people.

The 22 dollar stones are too small for me(sharpening plane blades). I emailed him and explained again what I need and that I was willing to pay more for the ''special custom'' stone.

Haydar

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

JimR asked: "Why should he stick with synthetics? "

Only because that is what he has now and additional synthetics
can most reliably continue the progressions.

You are 100% correct that naturals are the fuzz on the peach of
woodworking for many.

Not to mention that even a shapton 30K is substantially cheaper than a high quality nakayama of a nice size.

If you really want a good razor finisher with size smaller than what you initially listed and do not mind waiting for So to reply, he has some nice stones @ good prices.
Old_School here also sells stones, and all people that have bought from him are happy with what they got.

I use planes. I don't think either of the names in your title is what you want.

NM are too expensive.Nakayama may have the rep as the best; but what does that really mean? There are quite a few really good wood workers using stones who's origin was lost with no idea what it is. the most important thing is the stone does what you want
Uchi_g- while there are soft ones and very hard ones are just not a good choice for a first awasedo.

So Yamashita can help you. I think Alex G at japanblade may be able to assist as well as Tomohito at Waterstone | Wood working tool, Japanese wood working tool shop.

If you are getting the most from your 8k you should be sharp enough for hard wood, but I understand wanting to see and feel what a little more might do, not to mention discovering the taste of japanese stones.

Do you use japanese planes or western- what have you got? how much experience using them?

The original question being:
"Do I need a stone to follow a (high quality) Nakayama"
can be answered with a no.

As already stated Nakayama is a mine that produces very high quality polishing stones.
MaruKa/MaruIchi is a stamp on a particular stone given by the owner of the mine,
labeling the stone as of high quality.

So a genuine Nakayama Maruka is of very high quality
but still not necessarily perfectly fine for the use with razors!

You will need someone with very much experience that handpicks a stone for you. Maybe one with a stamp saying "kamisori" wich translates into "razor".

I would not search on my own for a suitable hone but ask one of the friendly
but very busy guys like SO and Yamashita if they can recommend you one.
On Oldschoolshaving you will find some hones especially for the razor use

The next thing is, there are many j-nat stones suitable for razor finishing.
Nakayama being the most common one there are however several others I know of producing wickedly sharp and smooth edges.
I myself own a Ohzuku in a perfect size that cost me 70€
and it produces the most keen edge I have ever seen,
even compared to Shapton 16k, vintage thuringian etc.
I would say it is equal to Chromium oxide in 0.5µm

But usually you don´t get to buy such uncommon hones
and your best chances lie in a good but expensive Nakayama.

Let me make one more thing clear:
If you are not able to produce comfortable shaving edges from an synthetic high quality 8k stone
following some pasting or good leathering
you will eventually not benefit from a high grit stone