Thread: ToolsfromJapan website?

Originally Posted by Thug

I wanted to buy a Gokumyo 20k last year before I visited Japan. I emailed him on two occasions and never got a response.

Stu is a one-man shop, and he's inundated with long questions from tire kickers. If you order a stone, he will ship it. If you email, then he will respond if he has time to.

He also has a day job (at least the last time I talked to him, he did) teaching English and his wife works, too. That's probably one of the reasons his prices are as good as they are - if he dedicated full time to the shop, I think the prices would have to go up.

I've known him since long before he started selling things, he's an honest guy. Always has been, and started his shop because he was offended with what some of the US suppliers peddle to us (if you look at woodworking catalogs, stuff is often sold for a multiple of what stu sells - 2x as much in some cases for his very expensive items, like hand made tsunesaburo planes). We're also given a dose of BS stories in some of the catalogs here in the US, talking up things that are more or less machine made in japan.

So, if you want a stone from him, buy it. I think it's a better idea to ask questions of individual items on various forums for two reasons:
* you don't have to wonder whether a vendor is being objective
* it takes a bit of the load off of vendors going through emails and gives you more data points

Stu also has an inability to help people part way. He either answers you none or gives you a voluminous long and descriptive answer.

Originally Posted by coachmike

It will probably arrive without an update. they are not very good with updates, but you will get it. They are not as impatient there with updates as we are here. They are for real so don't loose any sleep.

This is how my G20 showed up. If I recall correctly, it took about 2 weeks. I was just starting to become concerned and it showed in my mailbox, still didn't show that it had shipped.

I ordered a couple of stones and an atoma plate from him a few years back. AFAIK at that time he was the sole source for the G-20k on this side of the pond. Anyway, seamless transaction. Did take 2 or 3 weeks to get to my door, but all good.

Got my 20k in two weeks, no shipping notice, but I can't hone on a shipping email. So order with confidence and if you want it quicker, lighten up, you may be the kind of guy who is way to impatient to hone anyway. Tc

I can only say good things about Stu, responded to my questions and my delivery was pretty much flawless purchased my Suehiro Gokumyo 20K from him.

Yep, fear not if your considering buying from Tools from Japan. Price is fair and your going to get your stuff. I think around 2 weeks delivery is what most people in the USA experienced. I will say the same. Gmn-200 came in the mail and life changed

Same as the others have said, slow but worth it. my 20k took about three weeks.

I have purchased from him, no problems.

As an update, I received my Gokumyo 20K from Stuart this morning. I received an e-mail a few days back that it indeed had shipped, and apologizing for the short delay .. which occurred because Suehiro could not supply product. The stone was well packaged and everything went seamlessly..

A good transaction all around!

When I got my Gokumyo 20K, he emailed me as he had others & apologized for taking so long. It was no problem to me. I would definitely buy from him again. He's a real nice man.