Thread: Wooden base on a JNat

Yesterday my new Nakayama arrived from Maxim, and has already produced a better edge on my straights than my Shaptons ever did.
The only problem I can see in the future is the wooden base cracking due to the water I tend to splash around during the honing.
Are there some way to waterproof the wooden base? or do I have to change my habit of rinsing off the slurry under running water in the sink.

Nice looking piece of rock you got there mate

I would lacquer it.
Personally, I would use shellac on it, just for the tradition of it.
But I guess any good lacquer would do you just fine, check at your local paint supply shop.
If you wanna go with the shellac, give me a buzz, I have about a litre of the stuff, and a little goes a long way

Personally i use shellac on all wood coffins, its easy to use, dries very quickly, makes the wood look purty, and easily renewable.

I have two Nakayama's from Old School mounted on wooded bases, similar to yours, I've done nothing over the years and they've held up fine. Maybe I will give them a good shellacing.

I am positive Max is using a nice water resistant wood that will not go wrong with soaking.
In Japan very popular wood that is used for kitchen knives handles and natural stone bases is Ho wood, which is very similar to cedar in qualities. I can be wrong but I think your base is cedar, I have a few bases on my Jnats made from cedar and so far no problems after almost a year of heavy use.

+1, I believe mine is cedar as well. They both came from Japan, and look very much like the OP's.

i use polyurethane to water proof my base's .

My nakayama mariuchi has a wooden base made from cedar. It has been wet and left to air dry many times. It's fine.

I have no idea if Max does, but I know Alex sells some stones that he acquired with already made wooden stands. These stands were likely made by the previous owner, and does not indicate that the stands are made of wood impervious to water. Cedar, for instance, is not a very dense wood and absorbs water easily. Over time, water will deteriorate the wood. It would be best to shellac the stand, and if you never intend on removing the rock from the base, where the stone meets the wood as well, to give eliminate the propensity for moisture getting locked under the stone and on the wood. I suggest making sure both are thoroughly dry before doing this.

Originally Posted by woodsmandave

I have no idea if Max does, but I know Alex sells some stones that he acquired with already made wooden stands. These stands were likely made by the previous owner, and does not indicate that the stands are made of wood impervious to water. Cedar, for instance, is not a very dense wood and absorbs water easily. Over time, water will deteriorate the wood. It would be best to shellac the stand, and if you never intend on removing the rock from the base, where the stone meets the wood as well, to give eliminate the propensity for moisture getting locked under the stone and on the wood. I suggest making sure both are thoroughly dry before doing this.

I am not so sure that cedar is not good to use with water.
I made my bases specifically because of its water resistance
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