Thread: jnat progression

From my reading and discussion with others, it seems that jnats are usually used either as a final finisher or, with a progression of nagura stones, as a one stone system after the bevel is set. Have not heard the following described:

Over the past couple of years, I acquired a couple of jnats from trusted members here, neither of which had proved useful to them using traditional strategies. One is grayish, with a lot of brown splotches, lines, etc. The member estimated it to be equivalent to a 4K synthetic. The other wasn an asagi in appearance, no info re mine, strata, etc., but estimated by that member to operate at about the 8K level.

Hmmm.... a 4K and an 8K. Since I have several Nakayama finishers, it dawned on me I might have a convoy goin' here

Set a bevel on a Giessen and Forster (sp?), then did about 20 circles and 20 x strokes on the"4K" then the same on the "8K." Followed with a light slurry on my Nakayama kiita, dilut every 15 strokes to water. Took less than half the time of my usual progression on Naniwa SSs.

Didn't expect a hit on the first time, but the HHT and TPT were encouraging. End result: sharp, a little harsh, great shave. About 20 laps on the kiita settled the harshness issue.

I feel very fortunate to have these natural stones I can use in a synthetic style progression. Anyone else doing it this way?

I do that all the time.
I have a nice Yaginoshima Tomae that is roughly 6-8k, I get on it after 3k synthetic, then Mejiro nagura, then tomonagura on my finisher and after dilution I finish on water only. I also have a stone that can be used instead of the mejiro but it is easier to use nagura than the full stone.

I basically use two J-Nat stones. One is an Ohira that is a mid grade stone and my finisher which is a very hard Asagi. Everything above 1K goes to the Ohira with a couple of Nagura then I use the Ohira with slurry before I go to the Asagi. Using the Asagi with slurry then just water for the finish. I really like the idea of using the Ohira because I find that I am lapping the Asagi a lot less frequently and it is nice to just yank out the Asagi when I just need a quick touch-up and not have to worry about lapping it. I love the feel of the Asagi that I have and the edges are fantastic so I take it out a lot more that I really have to.


Take Care,
Richard

Take Care,
Richard

Sorry I was not more clear -- I mean using jnats without naguras, just progressing from one to the next using the natural properties of the stones themselves, much like working through a progression of Naniwas.

Originally Posted by pcb01

Sorry I was not more clear -- I mean using jnats without naguras, just progressing from one to the next using the natural properties of the stones themselves, much like working through a progression of Naniwas.

I have done that but now I use naguras because it is less maintenance.

Hi Pcb,

of course this can be done and can be quite some fun.
The Aoto is generally accepted as a good bevelsetter in the 1-3k range.
Followed by a medium stone of 5-7k, propolished with an Ohira and finished with a Shoubudani you got yourself a perfect progression.
But I found this to be unnecessary, J-Nats usually are so quick with slurry.

When I have to reset a sharp bevel, I only need to use my Ohira with slurry.
I then hit the Shoubudani with Slurry, polish the bevel to liquid mercur on the Superstone 10k and finish on the Shoubudani with water.
It´s even quicker!

So my medium J-Nats are now banned for use with my kitchenware (wich is still an honourable task)