My interest is piquing in J-Nats again, and I would appreciate your input to keep things in perspective. Im currently keeping my edges tuned on either a coticule and water or a Naniwa 8K (depends upon my mood) and finishing on a Naniwa 12K. I get about five or so shaves out of it before feeling like its time to touch it up. Im not sure if this is indicative of my need to refine my own skills, its typical of synthetics, its typical results on any stone, Im just too picky about my edges or something else entirely. My edges are buttery smooth. I have no complaints about how they shave. More so how long the edge lasts.
My interest has been piqued in J-Nats before. Claims of longer lasting and even smoother edges typically catch my eye. Then theres a whole mystique surrounding them, and I find it appealing to use natural ingredients versus synthetic. But I have yet to pull the trigger on one. One deterrent this far is, while I love shaving with my straits, I dont live for honing them. I dont loath honing. I just dont look forward to it the way I do my shaves. Its more a means to an end than loving the process itself. I think thats what I like about my Naniwas: Theyre so quick and easy.
So, just recently, Ive been asked if Im interested in a Nakayama, Namito, Maruichi, Maruka (164x58x15) for $280 (shipped). Since Ive eyed J-Nats in the $400 price range in the past, I started thinking maybe this was the time to pull the trigger. On the other hand, I have a pretty good routine down with my Naniwas, and perhaps this is just my HAD flaring up.
What are your thoughts? Is it worth giving it a try? Are J-Nats really that much better? Should one be more into honing than I am to venture down this path? Please help me keep this in perspective.
Thanks.
My interest has been piqued in J-Nats before. Claims of longer lasting and even smoother edges typically catch my eye. Then theres a whole mystique surrounding them, and I find it appealing to use natural ingredients versus synthetic. But I have yet to pull the trigger on one. One deterrent this far is, while I love shaving with my straits, I dont live for honing them. I dont loath honing. I just dont look forward to it the way I do my shaves. Its more a means to an end than loving the process itself. I think thats what I like about my Naniwas: Theyre so quick and easy.
So, just recently, Ive been asked if Im interested in a Nakayama, Namito, Maruichi, Maruka (164x58x15) for $280 (shipped). Since Ive eyed J-Nats in the $400 price range in the past, I started thinking maybe this was the time to pull the trigger. On the other hand, I have a pretty good routine down with my Naniwas, and perhaps this is just my HAD flaring up.
What are your thoughts? Is it worth giving it a try? Are J-Nats really that much better? Should one be more into honing than I am to venture down this path? Please help me keep this in perspective.
Thanks.