Good day everybody,
In the last 4 years, I have been testing various naguras because I want to define my nagura’s best use/function. Basically what I was looking for is how I could fit my tomo naguras in a similar category that asano uses: from coarse to fine: Botan, tenjou, mejiro, Koma.
In the end I decided on some attributes that I look for when assessing if a particular nagura is more or less suited for finishing a straight razor.
In this particular order:
Premise:
Which characteristic is usually an indicator for a quality finishing tomo nagura? Feeling, grit, hardness, fineness, feeling?
How do you categorize your naguras?
How do you test your naguras?
Of course, this is no science and there are many variables involved which I cannot control, but I find general rules or guidelines very helpful to have at least a broad orientation when trying to assess the quality of a nagura.
In the last 4 years, I have been testing various naguras because I want to define my nagura’s best use/function. Basically what I was looking for is how I could fit my tomo naguras in a similar category that asano uses: from coarse to fine: Botan, tenjou, mejiro, Koma.
In the end I decided on some attributes that I look for when assessing if a particular nagura is more or less suited for finishing a straight razor.
In this particular order:
- Fineness (finer is more desirable). I determine this attribute by feeling the slurry while honing.
- Hardness (harder is more desirable). I determine this attribute by timing how long the nagura needs to generate a certain amount of slurry.
- Speed (faster is more desirable). I determine this by timing how fast the slurry darkens.
Premise:
- I am talking strictly about Japanese natural naguras here.
- I don’t have an asano set but a bunch of different tomo naguras.
- I know that the only way to assess the potential of a nagura (or honzan) is honing a razor with it and then test shaving it. However, I am looking for generalizations/rules that give me a broad orientation/indication while working with and testing naguras.
Which characteristic is usually an indicator for a quality finishing tomo nagura? Feeling, grit, hardness, fineness, feeling?
How do you categorize your naguras?
How do you test your naguras?
Of course, this is no science and there are many variables involved which I cannot control, but I find general rules or guidelines very helpful to have at least a broad orientation when trying to assess the quality of a nagura.