Natural Stones: Japanese vs. Jasper vs. Novaculite vs. Chinese Agate/Faux Jade?

[DaveW]

Spin off from another thread where the chinese jade was asked about. I'll re-put the Japanese stone stuff in here (that I put in another thread). My original intention is to point out that if someone is being thrifty, biggs or owyhee jasper is a better rock to consider than the chinese green hones on ebay.

First stone - vintage ozaki mine barber hone, the microscope says it's at 200x, and I don't think I believe that. It is very close up, though.

200 strokes total, 150 of those on clear water. This hone never sees a DMT or anything of the sort - it is never lapped or flattened after it was initially, and tomonagura for slurry is a fine shoubu or ohira stone. This stone does best on clear water and lots of strokes.

Pictures are same edge, just light angle depending.



Shave was excellent. Really excellent. The edge with this many laps on clear water is very similar in sharpness to chromium oxide powder, no weepers, though. Can't ask for more from any natural stone (this one is my best, despite many that are prettier).

Here is the stone, courtesy of a request I made to alex gilmore years ago where I requested all of the money to be spent on effect and none on looks. You can see your reflection on the surface of this stone, as it should be on any good finish hone that never gets lapped, but it still has enough cutting power to polish an edge.

Cost of the stone: $165