Description
- Nagura are prep/correcting stones used with full-size sharpening stones (whetstones) to assist in sharpening knives, razors, chisels, planes, and other blades
- Nagura are used to: 1) create a sharpening slurry/paste on the working surface of whetsones, 2) clean a glazed surface from trapped metal micro shavings and swarf, which inhibit sharpening, and 3) flatten the working surface which becomes warped (dished) with use
- By creating a cutting slurry, nagura aid in a uniform, better controlled sharpening movement by eliminating suction between the blade and the stone and resulting skipping action leading to deformed or micro chipped bevels; nagura also help to break down grit particles of the host stone into smaller, finer size particles
- The grit range of whetstones and naguras should be matched to create a homogeneous slurry with abrasive particles of similar size; this will extend the life of whetstones and blades
- 2.6" x 1.3" x 1.0" (65 x 33 x 25mm); 3.2 oz (90 g); grit #6000 (can be used on sharpening stones with grit #6000 - #8000)
Nagura stones are used with full-size waterstones (whetstones) of a matching grit. Nagura stones are necessary to create a sharpening slurry (lather or cream) on the surface of a whetstone. Without a nagura, a slurry is difficult to create with some natural stones and ceramic bonded modern synthetic stones. Naguras are also used to clean the pores of a waterstone from metal particles by lifting them off and washing away. Without such a process, a whetstone quickly becomes ``glazed" (clogged) from embedded metal micro shavings which inhibit sharpening. Another important use of nagura stones is to flatten the surface of waterstones which becomes convex (warped or uneven) with use, i.e., the stone is worn out in the middle more than on the edges. Attempting to sharpen or hone a blade on such a surface can permanently ruin the blade. This nagura should be soaked in water for 5-7 minutes before use and stored dry.