I made a holder and lid for the Takashima similar to the one for the Ikarashi. The Takashima is long, so long I had to turn the stone pond 90 degrees for it to fit.
The Takashima base and lid.:
Stone with top removed:
Both the Ikarashi and Takashima on the stone pond:
Gotta click to big 'em.
The oil stone sequence is a little quicker because there is no need to raise a slurry. The sequence is very similar. Start on the Atoma 1200, refine on either the Soft Ark or Washita, and finish on a Hard Black Ark with final polish on a Horse's Butt strop with green stuff.
Either set of stones works well and fast with Western O-1, Japanese White Paper #1 or #2. If you hollow grind PM-V11 either will also work well. Luckily I have no working A-2 iron in my shop (there are a few LN A-2 irons stored in the junk iron cabinet) so I do not know if either set of stones would work with A-2. I expect not.
Who knows where it will end because the synthetic Gukumyo could still be in the mix. For a synthetic water stone it is low maintenance and gives a very sharp, strong, edge. Damn I'm fickle.
ken
The stone are the left has bevels on the outside edges is that normal for this stone?
ReplyDeleteRalph,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you would call it normal but Jnats usually do not come in neat, straight cornered blocks like Ark oil stones or synthetic water stones. You can find them in all shapes and sizes. Many times there will be only one side that is useable because of fractures, inclusions and such.
I'm not sold yet but I think there is a chance the Jnats can be an improvement over oil stones.
ken
There is a 40mm or so flat on top, as the stone wears it should widen.
Well you got me on those Jnat stones, had to look it up. Interesting stones. Years back, LV had some limited supply of natural Japanese stones, I played with them at the store, nice but expensives...
ReplyDeleteI suspect these are not cheap neither. Where do you buy them?
Bob and Rudy, having family visits this week
Bob, I have to keep you in your toes :-). They are not cheap but because the supply is limited and depleting they will increase in price going forward. I figured if I wanted to try some Jnats I'd better do it now,
ReplyDeleteI'm so familiar with Ark oil stones, like using them and the results from a Hard Black or Translucent Ark plus strop very much. So far I have never found anything better. Some stones might be a little faster and/or put a better polish on but, there is always a but, without fail there will be a down side. It could be the mess, the amount of maintenance, whatever, there is always a down side and taken as a whole the oil stone works better for my work flow and personality.
I guess what I;m saying....I'll give the Jnats a fair shake and hope they replace the Ark stones. If they do it would be a big win but I have my doubts.
I got them from Japan Natural Stone http://japanesenaturalstones.com/ .Good folk to deal with and they ship quickly.
I'm back under adult supervision, Pat made it home last night after over 12 hours of dealing with the airlines for what should have been a three hour flight. Sam's life is complete, I'm the walker, treat dispenser, butt and ear scratcher, and "pull" toy but Pat is his life.
ken