Nakayama - 中山 Asagi asagi

[Shaun asleep]

Hi guys

I'm sorry to ask this, but I am looking for a quick answer to an almost impossible question.

I bought a jnat from an EBay store labeled Nakayama - 中山 Asagi asagi.
5+ hardness, 5 ++fineness and 4.5 cutting capacity.

I was already a bit in doubt about the purchase, but I have been on the look for an excellent finisher... So off I went.

The seller is tomonagura Italia and talking to a fellow forum member, questions were raised regarding the stamp, origin and naming.

I have tried googling the seller... But I can't find alot of information.
I reached out to ask to cancel, but the shipping label has been bought, so I would have to compensate that if I cancelled the purchase.

What to do?!

Thanks for any input!

 

[Shaun asleep]

 

[sexy beast]

Have you tried the stone?

 

[Shaun asleep]

No. It hasnt been shipped yet. The question is, does it look legit? Does anybody know the seller? I literaly can't find a single topic about this seller,not here, not on other forums.

 

[alex1921]

I have seen his store on eBay and have been skeptical but I am pretty much always skeptical when it comes to Jnats and stamps and names but the guy does include a link to a YT channel where he seems to be testing them with a SR.

I guess if I had already paid I would risk it and see what I got, depending on the price of course.

Some Jnats do have characteristic looks so you can point to their origin. I don't see any of those in this rock but maybe others will be able to help.

 

[sexy beast]

No. It hasnt been shipped yet. The question is, does it look legit? Does anybody know the seller? I literaly can't find a single topic about this seller,not here, not on other forums

Wait until you get it. It might be very well legit. It looks like "old saw marks" on the side. All my Jants had no stamps and are my best hones. I did pepper the seller on questions, and they would take seller paid returns.

 

[Christian1212]

Only way to really know where the stone comes from is having an honest vendor tell you.

Would worry more about stone performance than mine name and stamps. Looks like it could be a good finisher.

 

[Shaun asleep]

But... Why would you lie about a stamp and naming if the finisher is great.
I mean, I can see why... But if it's good, surely there would be no need to lie. The price was north of 170 euro's and South of 200 euros with shipping.

Edit, I'm not saying he is. I have no clue.

 

[sexy beast]

Wait until you get it. It might be very well legit. It looks like "old saw marks" on the side. All my Jants had no stamp and are my best hones.

But... Why would you lie about a stamp and naming if the finisher is great.
I mean, I can see why... But if it's good, surely there would be no need to lie. The price was north of 170 euro's and South of 200 euros with shipping.

Edit, I'm not saying he is. I have no clue.

You really don't know anything yet. The seller could refund your money today. The seller may say, the package has been sent. If so, when you receive the stone. You may love the stone, or you may not. I bought an 8x3 coticule that I thought was a door stop. It ended up being a universal hone for knives and blades. I can do bevel set to final hone on that stone now. But it took me 3 years to figure out the stone. Plus seller closed shop. Not a good feeling but it worked out. You made a choice, live with the outcome and hope that it's a good one.

 

[Eshebert]

Names and stamps mean squat. To easy to call it what you want or stamp a stone. As pointed out, only way you know what you are getting is buying from a reputable vender that tested the stone. Or make the purchase, test the stone yourself and live with what you got.

 

[alex1921]

But... Why would you lie about a stamp and naming if the finisher is great.
I mean, I can see why... But if it's good, surely there would be no need to lie. The price was north of 170 euro's and South of 200 euros with shipping.

Edit, I'm not saying he is. I have no clue.

They most likely already come stamped. He must have a source in Japan where he buys large quantities.
Nakayama name sells. Take a rock without a stamp, you can charge x. Add a name and the price goes up.

People associate the name Nakayama with a stone that guarantees you an excellent razor finisher. Same with maruka etc.
Well, an Escher will always finish a razor but it doesnt work the same with Jnats

 

[Shaun asleep]

Guys, thanks for chiming in. I have been in contact with the seller and cancelled my order. I do have to admit that they were extremely kind, patient, helpful and friendly.

They inquired why I had changed my mind. I explained him that 200 was alot of money for a stone of questionable quality and that I was looking for something very specific. The person explained a couple of things about the value vs performance of Ozuku vs Nakayama and offered me a deal on an Ozuku.

He also assured me the quality of his stones are as advertised. I feel like I may have exaggerated and they do appear to be an sound business to deal with. If anything their customer service was perfect.

I'll leave the hone testing to someone with a bit more knowledge and healthier financial buffer.

 

[Gamma]

Generally speaking, if the stamps are intact and there are no signs of lapping or honing, the stone wasn't tested and no one can judge quality by looking at it. Anyone can guess anything. Guessing isn't knowing, even if it turns out to be correct.

The HGAL system, LV5+++ etc, is the most maligned pile of numbers imaginable. Cutting power or 4.5 eh? Not 4.6 or 4.4? .

IF I pay for Nakayama, then I deserve Nakayama.
Forget about who's rock is good/bad/better/etc - it is supposed to be what it's said to be. Otherwise, I might as well just go buy tool-grade stone from the supermarket or hardware store and draw Nakayama stamps on it.

 

[Christian1212]

Main places I recommend for razor stones are Japanese natural whetstones or tomo nagura on etsy. I also like zenrazorjapan for really nice stones.

Other vendors you really want to know what you are looking for. Always a small gamble on stone performance. In the 200 ish range, a good quality stone will probably be smaller or oddly shaped (koppa).