Thread: Nakayama stone from O_S

Item for review:
A Nakayama Nihon Kamisori, "specially selected" Maruichi stone. It is a Japanese natural finishing stone that is typically rated in the 20k to 40k range and apparently had the Maruka stamp before it was squared up, so it ought to be near or at the top of the list of Japanese naturals. These stones have a reputation for being very hard and very fine, which, as it turns out, is an understatement.

EDIT: Every vendor of these stones will tell you right off the bat that no two are alike. You cannot tell how the stone is going to perform by looking at it's features. The only test is to use it, and use a number of different steels on it as some react differently to certain stones. A reputable vendor (like O_S) is the only way to be assured of a good stone.

This particular stone is the finer Yellow-Tan color but has one side where a little bit of Blue-Gray is coming through (has a small crack that must be avoided but it is usable) so I've been able to use it almost like a super fine combination stone.

Test procedure:
1. Inspect stone, try to decide whether to lap the top right away or try it out first.
2. Decide to use the stone as is and worry about lapping later (since it felt smooth and looked acceptably flat).
3. Prep a razor, or three in this case, on a coticule with slurry, then without, then move to vintage Thuringian to round out the prep work.
4. Hold stone in hand.
5. Wet the stone with a few drops of water from a near by bowl.
6. Do 10 passes on the Asagi side (blue-gray side) and inspect progress.
7. Repeat step 6 for good measure, or as needed .
8. Test shave a (small) portion of forearm.
9. Move to top surface (light tan-yellow) and repeat steps 6, 7 and 8 as needed.
10. dry off the stone, wipe the blade and stare in awe.
11. Post review of results.

Results:
Words just can't describe, but I'll try anyway.

Imagine a block of pure silk that is hard enough to polish steel, that is about what this experience was like. I almost didn't want to shave with the edge because the honing process felt so good, I couldn't imagine the shave improving on it (but it did!). The razor glides over the surface so delicately, like a sail boat through calm water, that at first you say, this isn't polishing at all! But you're wrong, it's working BEAUTIFULLY!

I repeated the process for a second razor and got the same great results, total of 40 or so strokes. Then I did a third test, but this time chose to experiment a little more.

The Tim Zowada method of final polishing is the twist to this iteration. Prepped the razor as before, up through the Thuringian, then applied 2 pieces of tape and got set to put the micro bevel on the blade.

I went super conservative on this so as to not over do it. 3 strokes on the Asagi side, 5 strokes on the yellow-tan side. This was enough to make a tiny sliver of reflective light appear at 10x magnification, so I stopped.

The test shave was yet another "words can't describe" moment. The edge is finer and smoother than any other finishing method I've experienced thus far.

Conclusion:
The Nakayama has now been used on 5 razors and it left me with 5 of the sharpest and smoothest edges I've ever had.

The typical rating is between 20-ish and 40-ish thousand grit and this one seems to be on the higher end of the spectrum as it was finer than .5 diamond and CrO pastes that I've used.

These are hard stones, so there is very little wear from use, and the fact that I got it to polish just fine without the need for a slurry means that this stone will likely end up in the hands of my great grandsons before it is worn out.

AND they are beautiful stones. This particular one has a gentle blending of light and dark colors, with thin bands of brown between the yellow and blue stratta.

The price is pretty steep, but to me it was worth ever penny.

10 out of 10

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

Results:
Words just can't describe, but I'll try anyway.

How about the stone is so great it keeps you warm on those cold winter nights. And your never lonely when you have that hone with you.

These are hard stones, so there is very little wear from use, and the fact that I got it to polish just fine without the need for a slurry means that this stone will likely end up in the hands of my great grandsons before it is worn out.

This is why I don't advocate lapping, some of course may require a slight lapping. But most certainly not after every single use as some advocate. All thats going to do is wear out a perfectly good stone fast, and means you gotta spend more $$ buying a new one.

AND they are beautiful stones. This particular one has a gentle blending of light and dark colors, with thin bands of brown between the yellow and blue stratta.

The price is pretty steep, but to me it was worth ever penny.

Ha! You wanna see the market prices for one like that.

Gee looks like that one had a face lift. Not bad, I like the way the Asagi side has come up.

I am trying to finish polishing (sanding) one of my resto's now that I have the micron sandpapers and then I will break out my prized possession for the edge.

** A small note to add to this review is that the grit levels do vary from stone to stone and no two are alike. Kinda like identical twins, yeah they look identical but their personalities, are worlds apart.

Yes, the Asagi side was lapped by David, I did a few lapping passes on a D8EE hone to smooth it out as much as possible (not that it wasn't smooth, I am just obsessive compulsive sometimes).

If the market price is significantly higher than the price you sold it for, then I suppose I owe you even more thanks!

Thanks isn't necessary I have a few things on my side, such as I'm not a company, I have no overheads and I have no middle men.

Very nice review, and a very nice stone.

"Ha! You wanna see the market prices for one like that."

I did a quick search and found one "authority" on Japanese stones claiming they could be sold for between $700.00 for the lower grades and $3,000.00 for the higher ones !!!!!!!

If that is the case than you, sir, are not charging enough. And again I offer thanks, whether you want it or not. This is an outstanding stone at any price, especially yours.


Link to discussion if anyone's interested: http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/sh...?post/1458282/

Some better pics.

Note that the market value of a stone depends on the size / weight.

So explained to me that these stones get priced per gram, where the price per gram is determined by cutting strength / color / ...

This means that a long, narrow and thick stone can cost the same as a long wide and thin stone.
This is why I could afford mine: it is only 14 mm thick.

A stone twice the thickness costs twice as much. So the prices you see like 700$, don't actually mean anything without the dimensions.
And I agree that a nakayama is unusable for normal knife honing. It is way to fine to really cut metal, and unless you can always hone at the same angle (like with a razor) you are never going to use the stone to its full potential.

I know that So doesn't sell high end stones if he is not convinced that
a) you are using it for something it is meant to be used
b) he has some level of confidence that you know how to use it.
And I think he is right in doing so.

Otherwise he wastes a good stone, you are unhappy with the result, and frustrated about spending $$$ for a useless hunk of rock.

Yea I seen that, places charging per 25g and 100g or per CM of stone. Not only that but the stones at those prices, just look like someone has smashed a few rocks against each other then saying they are Japanese. No stamps, no lapped surface. That seems to be the norm of these online stores so thats what I referred to as market prices.

I myself see no need to charge such high amounts for the best of the best, but then I don't have families to support, overheads or middlemen to pay, so I guess that puts me in a good position.

Got my stone from O_S Saturday. Sorry I don't have pictures, the stone has a new coat of Japanese lacquer on the sides and the side with the stamps. I did not realize this is going to take at least a week or two to dry, according to O_S. (Gee, what will I do now? LOL, LOL)

Here is a picture from O_S's "Shouhonyama" web site (mine is the 2nd stone down):

Shouhonyama

Here are a few comments about this stone:

First of all, the delivery time from Japan was blinding fast. It was less than a work week. Like three days. Now that's pretty good!

The stone is a pale blue/gray in color with some veins of orange. size is approx. 1-3/4 x 7-3/4 x 3/4" (thick). O_S had flattened the underside from the stamped side. - and I will use this side, not the stamped side. I did lap this side with my D8C 235 DMT. It was pretty flat; lapping only took 10 or 15 minutes.

I had a few razors that never quite gave me the shave I thought they should. I figured these would be a good choice as my 1st razors to hone. I have honed these three razors since I got the stone: A 7/8 Joseph Elliot, an 8/8 Philarmonica, and a big smiley 7/8 W&B. I sprinkled a little distilled water on the stone, ran my fingers across the stone, to smooth it out, and did about 40 to 75 laps on each blade. The stone was very velvety, smooth, kind of luxurious (if a rock can be luxurious ). No feedback to speak of.

It is had to describe this experience. It was almost magical, spiritual, again, that word luxurious,...... each shave was beautiful. The edges on each razor was spectacular, sharp, smooth, and gave a very, very comfortable shave.

I can't say enough about this stone! This is my prized stone. I will hide it when company comes over(especially kids). I will keep it in my wall safe (just kidding, I don't have one, but if I did...).

Now that I have it lacquered, it's gonna be a week or two before I can use it. Dern! That's okay, sob!

I don't know what's in store for O_S as far as his ability to get more stones in the future, but if you're inclined, keep a watch out for more stones from O_S. With the lacquer & shipping, I paid a little under $260.00 with the SRP 5% discount. If you're looking for a top quality Japanese finishing stone, this one was probably the buy of the century!!!!! (IMO, of course)
Old_School, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, and Thank You!



Steve