Thread: Natural stones

Japanese naturals are porous. The stones that qualify for razors etc are usually very hard, and don't absorb water well.
Coarser or softer stones take up water more easily.

I have a Japanese natural which is ~6K. I also have a Nakayama on the way.

The ink of the stamps soaks into the stone, sometimes as much as 1 mm.
So if it is already flat, you can use the honing surface for a long time before you lose the markings.

Not mine, Bruno. The markings came off on the first rubbing on the wet and dry.

I suppose they all come from different mines and so they are marked with different inks.

Mine doesn't take on much water at all, not as much as my 8k norton. I use a squirt bottle for a couple passes and it's wet.

The markings where GONE after the second pass on my lapping plate. I cas see how the softer stones would soak up the ink.

All of the natural stones that I have take water like you describe. Just a little on the surface is all that is needed with no absorption to speak of.

How much did that set you back? I've been eyeballing various Japanese stones recently, trying to get a feel for a good price on the different grades.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I lapped the top of mine and removed the stamps. I took one look at the bottom and decided that it would take days to lap that - deep chisel gouges and so on. Someone remarked (O_S, I think) in another thread that the stamps are important (price-wise) if you ever want to sell it on, but if it's just for you then it's probably not a big issue, unless you are really attached to the stamps.

James.

In case you might wanna sell it on after a while: keep good pics of the stone as it came to you.

Only set me back $50 for a 1.5x1.25x8" stone. Can't say I'm not happy with the stone as I needed one in this range anyway. Now I just need to find that 10k+ stone for a finnisher. Getting a lower grit is easy so I'm nor so worried about finding that one.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

All of the natural stones that I have take water like you describe. Just a little on the surface is all that is needed with no absorption to speak of.

How much did that set you back? I've been eyeballing various Japanese stones recently, trying to get a feel for a good price on the different grades.

Hello Russel, here is a pic of mine (again), if you do want a good source for it, beside Old_School, get in touch with So at http://www.japan-tool.com/ he will be pleased to help you.

So, the seller linked above, is very helpful.

I usually write what the stone is on the back and sometimes copy the markings, after I've lacquered the back, just so I don't get them mixed up.