Thread: Japanese naturals, Karasu and Renga Suita in Particular

Hajime Joe we'll have a duel at the next meet---LOL. Oak Katanas only of course!

you guys are funny. but would make terrible detectives.

Ok Kev now I'm insulted. Ya see that little avatar thingy next to my name---I was a Detective!!!
I'm just yanking your chain I'm not mad:-)

Its from a guy in Japan. No its not stamped. He has a few, though he personally thinks the pear ones are finer grit but he is a chisel dude and I was wondering if anyone here had experience as to whether it is finer or not? Lets actually not compare it to other J-nats. How does the finish rank against, say, an average Escher? If it is similar, then to me it is worth it. If not, I don't care how collectible it is, I will pass because I would rather have a more functional lower grit hone.

I will say it looks exactly like the other Karasu I have seen, just the pattern isn't as nice. (Not as collectible?=Cheaper?) I personally don't care what it looks like I'm after a good finish. Hence my dismisal of renga suita, its sought after because of looks and rarity rather than exceptional performance. Karasu seems to be highly regard both rare wise and performance wise. I just want to know how good it's performance is.

Originally Posted by khaos

Its from a guy in Japan. No its not stamped. He has a few, though he personally thinks the pear ones are finer grit but he is a chisel dude and I was wondering if anyone here had experience as to whether it is finer or not? Lets actually not compare it to other J-nats. How does the finish rank against, say, an average Escher? If it is similar, then to me it is worth it. If not, I don't care how collectible it is, I will pass because I would rather have a more functional lower grit hone.

I will say it looks exactly like the other Karasu I have seen, just the pattern isn't as nice. (Not as collectible?=Cheaper?) I personally don't care what it looks like I'm after a good finish. Hence my dismisal of renga suita, its sought after because of looks and rarity rather than exceptional performance. Karasu seems to be highly regard both rare wise and performance wise. I just want to know how good it's performance is.

How did you reach that conclusion about the suita? Did T-N tell you they are only pretty?

To be valued as a sharpening stone, it first has to be a good sharpening stone. If you had two that were equal in every way except one was very plain and common and the other stippled with beauty marks; then the pretty one may be price higher. If the stone makes a slurry and cuts at 30K+ it is hard to say that it is "just for looks" such may not be the case with individual pieces but it is not beyond expectation.

Karasu are not the rarest or the finest, They may be the hardest. They can also regularly have "iron scratchers" as can suita.

best wishes in your searches

Originally Posted by Gunner777

Hajime Joe we'll have a duel at the next meet---LOL. Oak Katanas only of course!

Aren't oak katanas called bokken or something like that?

Its a wierd shape, like a trapezoid, roughly 6ish at the shortest 7ish at the longest, and about 2 or 3 inch wide.
It has no stamps but I'm willing to bet it is genuine Karasu from pictures of other stones I have seen.

I see what you mean on price. Well. I am thoroughly impressed by my current J-nat. What do you guys think of this potential Karasu? Real? Fake? 8k level? Escher level? I know the grit is a crapshoot but what do they tend to be?
karasu, great deals on on eBay!

It looks pretty snazzy, and at that price I would be sorely tempted to buy it anyhow.

My logic is this: I (you) have a Japanese natural already for finishing purposes, but I want something faster.

Either A: it works just as well as your other stone, so I have two equivalent stones.

B: it is finer, so I can use it after my current J-nat to push the edge even farther

C: it's coarser, so I can use it before my current finisher as an intermediary step, which would speed things up anyhow.

D (this one is most important): It works pretty good, but not great... I'm not impressed with this stone so I SELL IT TO JOE.

Khaos that's the name alright. Some have a stiff leather guard and others don't have a handguard on the oak blade. I can tell you they hurt if you make an error in practice with another person.
I've had mine for a very long time. I went to the Kodakan, the home of Judo, when I was 16. I was a member then. I did do some visiting at various Dojos and picked up a real Bokken.
Bokken - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Khaos I'd email Old_School. He can have a look and give you much more info than any of us can.
Ones used on tools are usually a rougher grit than razor J-nats.