Elementary Jnat Question

[The Don]

Hi Gents,

I am gradually getting sucked into all thing straight razor related, and right now it's rocks that are getting my attention. As it respects Jnats, is it sufficient to use something like a DMT credit card to raise slurry? Something else?

Thanks,
Don

 

[Obiwan]

You will get mixed reviews on this, but IME I've used both a toma nagura as well as a well worn DMT to create the slurry with great success.

I would caution you to make sure the DMT is of a finer grit and is better to be well worn to prevent deep scratch marks in the host stone's surface.

 

[mainaman]

Use slurry stones, or very well worn DMT, you want to keep the surface of the stone very clean with no scratches from a diamond plate.

 

[jpcwon]

I have been experimenting with the use of a DMT 1200 credit card as the Tomo I have has been causing problems with finishing (not getting a good edge). The DMT seems to be working well, but you'll want to make sure it's well broken in. These DMT cards are notorious for releasing diamonds into the slurry when they're new. I had it happen to me a few times & it feels like someone sprinkled sand into the slurry....not a pleasant feeling at all!!

 

[Gamma]

A very wise and experienced Jnat user once told me - "using a diamond Nagura isn't a problem - until it's a problem."

 

[jpcwon]

A very wise and experienced Jnat user once told me - "using a diamond Nagura isn't a problem - until it's a problem."

Makes perfect sense...

 

[American1911]

.........These DMT cards are notorious for releasing diamonds into the slurry when they're new. I had it happen to me a few times & it feels like someone sprinkled sand into the slurry....not a pleasant feeling at all!!

I had a sub par experience with the small DMT cards also. My DMT coarse sharpening stone works well in building a slurry.

 

[Brooksie967]

Look up Alx's 'axe method' if you're curious. He raises a slurry using a dmt and goes straight from bevel setting to the jnat with base stone slurry raised. I've also used dmt's on my jnats without any ill effect on performance. It's a great way to unlock the properties of slurry produced by the base stone itself. You won't know with your stone in particular until you try it!

 

[Gamma]

Makes perfect sense...

Yes it does.
It comes from someone with many many decades of use and experimentation under their belt.

I will - on occasion - use an Atoma 1.2k Nagura, but very carefully.
Personally, I won't put a DMT anywhere near one of my Jnats.

 

[jeness]

I use a tomonagura too, just to be sure. Much more convenient to use, and you can be sure that nothing weird will happen.

 

[Brooksie967]

I've never had a problem with the DMT's but that's not to say that everyone else's experience is different. My 325 is well broken in and my 600 and 1200 are brand new, also my 600 credit card size dmt is brand new. I typically use a tomo to finish but when trying to compare the properties of my two base stones I figured that slurry from them would be the best way to do this. The nakayama is harder but a much faster stone and also seems to be finer!! I WISH it was the 8X3 size but at 7X2 it's great for those tough to hone smiles or warped blades.