My Jnat Journey

[Tomo]

A bit more testing with the mystery Mikawa. I was able to take the #2 to Tomo and get an edge so I tried the same progression with the #4. The stones were already numbered when I got the lot. At each stage I stopped 40 on linen and 20 on leather. The #4 is less pure than the #2. It was grey flecks and looks gritty. But looks can be deceiving.

The #4 slurry killed the edge completely. The Kita Nugara slurry brought it back slightly. Pure water laps brought it back all the way. There doesn’t seem to be much in it between the #4 and #2. Both seem to be pre-Tomo level.

 

[Tomo]

Stepping up the test edge from yesterday with a new stone. Very fast and very fine. This one is quickly becoming my favourite JNat. Thanks @Steve56. Finished on a light slurry today as recommended.

 

[Tomo]

I couldn’t resist a set of Asano Mikawa Nagura set. They are not strictly necessarily for Jnat finishing but it really does complete the set. I would have loved to have gotten one of the vintage sets from the TomoNagura Etsy shop but overseas deliveries were not an option. I checked (and begged) but they would not take my money. At least I tried.

So I had to go straight to the source in Japan for a modern set. I’ve heard that the quality may not be what it used to be but I thought I’d give it a shot while they’re still available. Shipping was quick with DHL express. 2.5 days to Australia. I have no idea how they do it that fast. Full marks to Japan Avenue for packaging. Everything was really nicely wrapped. They included a free Japanese tea towel which I’ve used to line my Jnat drawer. They also automatically refunded some shipping costs for a multi purchase after the fact. That was a nice surprise. Overall they have been great to deal with. Now I just need to find a Koma.

 

[psfred]

I've been thinking of getting a set of those! Probably should next month, as if I needed anything else shaving related....

 

[Tomo]

I’ve done the first coat of Cashew laquer on the new Asano Mikawa. In line with @Gamma ‘s advise I used a thinned out cashew mix and worked in the first coat with plenty on brush strokes. The chalky surface of these stones did seem to absorb some of that first coat.

The clear 48 looks great on the Mikawa. I will do a second coat tonight after 24 hours. It’s fairly cool here this week. Highs of 15C and overnight lows of 8C. The work is an a detached garage. Once the final cost has set I will bring them inside to fully cure at room temperature for a couple of weeks.

I’m thinking less is more with the Mikawa. I’ll have a look after two coats and may leave it there. Further coats tend to change the colour and bring out more of the amber. The main thing I’m aiming for is to keep the stones clean and preserve the stamps. Two coats may be enough for that. I did 4-5 on the stones and they have a pretty thick layer of glaze on them now. I’m not sure that I need that with the Mikawa.

 

[Tomo]

I've been thinking of getting a set of those! Probably should next month, as if I needed anything else shaving related....

If you’re able to get them delivered, I’d go for those vintage Etsy ones. In my opinion there is a lot of value in having someone grade them and assemble a matched set of stones that work well together.

The new ones are cheaper but many here are of the opinion that they’re not what they used to be. I have no reference point for the old stones and haven’t tried these yet so I can’t comment. The new ones certainly look the business. I’ll give them that.

 

[rhgg2]

Shipping was quick with DHL express. 2.5 days to Australia. I have no idea how they do it that fast.

They quite frequently manage 36 hours door to door from Osaka to Sydney.

 

[psfred]

I get packages in about 4 days, maybe 5. Quite fast.

 

[Tomo]

It’s been a while since I’ve stuffed up a JNat edge so I thought I’d put the beater test razors away and pull out a Filli. HHT looks promising.

 

[Tomo]

Peeled the tape off the stones. It’s probably worth doing this sooner rather than later. The stones were fine but there was some cashew that snuck in under the edge of the tape and was not going off properly. I’ll probably not bother with the tape the next time around. It’s probably better to just lap the stones again after painting.

 

[Frank Shaves]

Nice job, @Tomo!

Like @Steve56, I have used a piece of paper on the face with blue painter's tape on the edges of the paper on the face. I am big user of blue painter's tape.

 

[Tomo]

Nice job, @Tomo!

Like @Steve56, I have used a piece of paper on the face with blue painter's tape on the edges of the paper on the face. I am big user of blue painter's tape.

At what stage do you remove the tape?

 

[Frank Shaves]

I waited till the lacquer was safe to touch. The amount of tape touching the stone was minimal - 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch in width.

 

[Tomo]

I waited till the lacquer was safe to touch. The amount of tape touching the stone was minimal - 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch in width.

Nice one. I’m finding that there is a strip of cashew that gets under the tape and does not go off. 24 hours seems like a good time to pull the tape on the Naguras.

 

[JPO]

Nice one. I’m finding that there is a strip of cashew that gets under the tape and does not go off. 24 hours seems like a good time to pull the tape on the Naguras.

I also used painters masking tape. There is one type that is designed to be easier to remove (yellow one). I removed it after 24 h without any issues. I wouldn't do that with the other type they sell in Norway at least (the blue one).

 

[Tomo]

Koma for the win!

 

[Tomo]

Three coats down on the Nagura and I think they are looking pretty good. I was not very happy with the cheap burner brushes that kept loosing bristles. I switched to foam brushes which worked much better for me. The foam is nice because you don’t loose bristles, you don’t get brush strokes and you can regulate the amount of lacquer on the stone easier. I got one very minor sag after a brush application that was a little too thick. Brushes are good at putting down paint and spreading it around but they are really bad at picking it up again if it’s too thick. The foam brush was a clear winner for me.

Three coats seem to be the points where everything starts to smooth out and get more uniform. I think the Koma will get four. It’s still looking a bit patchy. I’ll let these sit for a couple of weeks to fully cure.

 

[Tomo]

A traditional Japanese tenugui seems like the perfect way to line my Jnat drawer. Japan Avenue included one of these cotton towels with both of my orders. I think the floral motif is quite nice. By all accounts these towels are ubiquitous in Japan and have been part of the culture for many years. I think they go really well with the JNat theme.

 

[Tomo]

A quick touchup in preparation for the week ahead. I think I’m getting the hang of this. A light Tomo slurry, light torque onto the edge, Ax method progression with rolling strokes and decreasing pressure. 40 laps on linen, 40 laps on horse hide. Another great edge. I’m not sure why I found this so difficult to start with.

 

[alx gilmore]

A quick touchup in preparation for the week ahead. I think I’m getting the hang of this. A light Tomo slurry, light torque onto the edge, Ax method progression with rolling strokes and decreasing pressure. 40 laps on linen, 40 laps on horse hide. Another great edge. I’m not sure why I found this so difficult to start with.

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