JNat Beginners Guide to Buying: Stories of Success, Pitfalls, and Fails

[ethompson]

Does Shohonyama translate as true main mountain? Does anyone know the mines this is referring to? I also see shomotoyama but I think that is the same thing and is just a google translate issue.

There is some indication that for a period this term described stones from Shoubudani or Nakyama. But these days widely applied to a wide range of Kyoto area stones. Best not to read too much into that stamp.

Not to say there aren’t fabulous stones bearing that stamp, there certainly are, but it doesn’t reliably tell you a whole lot about the stone.

 

[naader]

Does Shohonyama translate as true main mountain? Does anyone know the mines this is referring to? I also see shomotoyama but I think that is the same thing and is just a google translate issue.

Honyama means "Honma's mountain" in his honor for discovering shobuyama as a source of natural whetstones, rmore about the history here.
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/j-nat-club.6921/post-1008633

 

[mengwong]

I was just browsing Japanese Natural Stones - JNATs - Natural Whetstones yesterday. It says

Shohonyama is a designation for the stone rather than a different Mine. You may see Uchigumori listed as Shohonyama without including the Mine, but it still must be from either Ohira or Mizukihara.

 

[The Forest Ninja]

Does Buyee prohibit the sale of Uchigumori to overseas?

No.

You can get some Uchigumori there. I could pick a bunch right now if I wanted from there.

I got 7 Mikawa Nagura coming from there today to add to my collection.

Cheers

 

[Transmaster]

Belatedly I have learned there are whetstones, and then there are Whetstones. I very much like the service and the quality of the knives I have purchased from Japanese Chefs Knives. They sell Japanese-made whetstones. They all have top reviews. Is this a good source or can you suggest a better one?

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Belatedly I have learned there are whetstones, and then there are Whetstones. I very much like the service and the quality of the knives I have purchased from Japanese Chefs Knives. They sell Japanese-made whetstones. They all have top reviews. Is this a good source or can you suggest a better one?

Right now, I would say not to concern yourself with JNats. Since you're just starting out, a good synthetic stone or two would be a great beginning.

 

[Emieloss]

Let's say I'd like to buy my first Jnat, what would fit in with my current collection of stones?

Atoma 400 (mostly used for flattening)
Chosera 400 / 1k / 3k
Suehira Rika 5k
Kitayama 8k
SG 220 / 16k
Belgian Blue

I think I'm lacking something for a good kasumi finish and/or a great mirror polish on the edge.

 

[Uncle Danny]

@Jurrian has an Uchi in BST you’d enjoy after that Rika

 

[Heckel7302]

Let's say I'd like to buy my first Jnat, what would fit in with my current collection of stones?

Atoma 400 (mostly used for flattening)
Chosera 400 / 1k / 3k
Suehira Rika 5k
Kitayama 8k
SG 220 / 16k
Belgian Blue

I think I'm lacking something for a good kasumi finish and/or a great mirror polish on the edge.

A few decent option on BST

This Ohira suita is a great deal
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/sharpening-stone-jnat-shiro-suita.68089/
This Uchi looks nice
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/£430-mizukihara-uchigumori-renge.68742/
Maybe this koppa
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/nakayama-suita-koppa.69482/

 

[Jurrian]

@Jurrian has an Uchi in BST you’d enjoy after that Rika

Tknx for mentioning me. I have plenty and I’m sure I have something he’ll be content with. Besides that. Beginners who’ll buy my stones can consult me. Have fun!

 

[Jurrian]

A few decent option on BST

This Ohira suita is a great deal
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/sharpening-stone-jnat-shiro-suita.68089/
This Uchi looks nice
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/£430-mizukihara-uchigumori-renge.68742/
Maybe this koppa
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/nakayama-suita-koppa.69482/

Hi before you run in a rabbit hole too deep to climb out message me. I’ll send you some links to good videos to start with. A jnat has no sense when the foundation is not good.

 

[MowgFace]

3 Aizu just hit BST.

Do not hesitate!!!