Nubutama Stones Loading
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Nubutama Stones Loading
Dear all
I have a few Nubutama Platinum stones and a few Sharpton Pro stones. I started out with the SP's and then progressed quickly to the NP's as a buy once and done. I don't have any other experience with other synthetic stones other than these 2 but I am finding the NP's really load very quickly and very easily. I was sharpening with the NP1500 last night and almost one pass heel to tip and back again of sectional sharpening (no more than 1/2 a dozen repetitions per section) and it had already started to load to a level that clean water did not wash the swarf away. Therefore I end up taking an Atoma 140 or 400 to the store after a few passes more that I would ordinarily like. Also this problem is probably worse with the 320 and 600 albeit that may be understandable.
Am I doing something wrong? Should I look for a cleaning stone? If so, which one.
I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Best
Gareth
I have a few Nubutama Platinum stones and a few Sharpton Pro stones. I started out with the SP's and then progressed quickly to the NP's as a buy once and done. I don't have any other experience with other synthetic stones other than these 2 but I am finding the NP's really load very quickly and very easily. I was sharpening with the NP1500 last night and almost one pass heel to tip and back again of sectional sharpening (no more than 1/2 a dozen repetitions per section) and it had already started to load to a level that clean water did not wash the swarf away. Therefore I end up taking an Atoma 140 or 400 to the store after a few passes more that I would ordinarily like. Also this problem is probably worse with the 320 and 600 albeit that may be understandable.
Am I doing something wrong? Should I look for a cleaning stone? If so, which one.
I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Best
Gareth
Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Same here, the problem was severe enough on the NP 320 that I got rid of it. I had such high hopes that it was "best in class" etc. but was the worst stone. I may get flamed but I was sorely disappointed with the 320 Platinum, could never get it clean and it then became slow.
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Thanks Gladius, I tend to agree with you. I normally reach for my SP220 when I need to remove serious steel now.gladius wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:15 am Same here, the problem was severe enough on the NP 320 that I got rid of it. I had such high hopes that it was "best in class" etc. but was the worst stone. I may get flamed but I was sorely disappointed with the 320 Platinum, could never get it clean and it then became slow.
- ken123
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
The Platinums are all fast cutters and all leave black swarf on the stone.
I've been using mine for years without incident. Expect that the stones will darken BUT not loose efficiency. Occasional flattening is appropriate but not after each session.
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Ken
I've been using mine for years without incident. Expect that the stones will darken BUT not loose efficiency. Occasional flattening is appropriate but not after each session.
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Ken
Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
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Well that certainly was not the case. It darkened but lost efficiency and an Atoma 140 was not able to rectify, not to flatten but attempt to clean. I questioned if it was even a 320 grit rating.
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
I think this thread is over thinking things a bit. I think I would be concerned if the stone didn't pick up swarf. Any stone is going to load up depending on the technique and pressure used. That 320, as with many of the higher end Nubatama stones, is a transitional stone to the next grit. Likely a bit higher in grit than its rating compared with say the Shapton Pro which personally I abhor. If your setting a fresh bevel on a jointed and profiled knife your starting at the wrong grit level. Lighten up on you pressure. Let the tool (stone) do the work. Using any tool for a purpose it wasn't intended for leads to frustration and failure.
Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
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Except once loaded will not cut with either light or heavy pressure, frustrating indeed. Using the Ume 320, no problem, Pink Aluminum 220 no problem, Shaptons, Cerax, Sigma, King...no problem.
- ken123
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Well I'm at a bit of a loss on this one. My Platinums STILL work perfectly. My 320 is still a 320 and so forth.
I fully expect many years of use out of them in the future.
Do you (pl ) have any pictures? Perhaps there is some variation in technique to account for this discrepancy?
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Ken
I fully expect many years of use out of them in the future.
Do you (pl ) have any pictures? Perhaps there is some variation in technique to account for this discrepancy?
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Ken
Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Here is a photo of mine. I spent close to an hour using the Atoma 140 trying to renew the surface but it did not clean the surface so it would cut well anymore. Perhaps I got a dud? I don't think there is a technique issue.
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Thanks for all your replies. Gladius, my NP320 looks similar albeit not quite so dark as i imagine my usage is a lot less than yours. pjwoolw I don't believe that pressure is an issue as if anything I would say that generally based on a number of YouTube videos, I could do with applying more pressure. I agree regarding the comments on generating swarf as ultimately the plan is to remove metal. It was more about the speed that it loads.
As stated, I am not an experienced sharpener but I will try to investigate this a bit more as I sharpen.
As stated, I am not an experienced sharpener but I will try to investigate this a bit more as I sharpen.
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Coould either of you send me your stone to evaluate ? My stone is considerably darker yet functions finely.
I would lihe to get to the botttom of this. I will cover postage.
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Ken
I would lihe to get to the botttom of this. I will cover postage.
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Ken
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Ken, that’s a very kind offer. As I am based in the UK, this may be something that Gladius would like to follow up on.
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Arthur, Thanks for the quick response!
Just as a point of reference, this is what my Nubatama 320 600 and 1500 Platinums look like today:
and here is the reference video of the stone:
Note the perfectly normal accumulation of black metal swarf on the stone. At least in my hands this has no detrimental effect.
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Ken
Just as a point of reference, this is what my Nubatama 320 600 and 1500 Platinums look like today:
and here is the reference video of the stone:
Note the perfectly normal accumulation of black metal swarf on the stone. At least in my hands this has no detrimental effect.
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Ken
Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
I have th 320, 1k and 2k Nubatama Platinums. They are very good cutters, so they do get swarf in their mud right away. I actually like the feel of these stones once they mud-up since they sound and feel smoother, but they seem to cut the same.
I find these stones to be very uniform. They make finer scratch patterns than their rating, but they seem to cut more aggressively than their rating.
I'm going to pay close attention to their cutting ability next session. I'm curious if I will notice any decline as some of you are claiming with yours.
I find these stones to be very uniform. They make finer scratch patterns than their rating, but they seem to cut more aggressively than their rating.
I'm going to pay close attention to their cutting ability next session. I'm curious if I will notice any decline as some of you are claiming with yours.
Ed in L.A.
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Re: Nubutama Stones Loading
Thanks Ed and thanks Ken for the videos. As I said it is difficult for me to compare as I have very little experience with other stones and as a home cook only now and many knives which I rotate, my opportunity to sharpen is greatly reduced.
I did however spend some time sharpening my parents J knives last night albeit And the stones seemed to perform really well albeit I didn’t drop lower than the 1500 NP.
Best
Gareth
I did however spend some time sharpening my parents J knives last night albeit And the stones seemed to perform really well albeit I didn’t drop lower than the 1500 NP.
Best
Gareth