Thread: Improving the lower end

Originally Posted by mainaman

that's the other site that Hida Tool owners run.
by the way the 5k Suehiro Rika is a very good stone, its very fast for 5k , pretty much feels like 1k stone.

Is that a natural, or synthetic?

Originally Posted by mainaman

that's the other site that Hida Tool owners run.
by the way the 5k Suehiro Rika is a very good stone, its very fast for 5k , pretty much feels like 1k stone.

Interesting that the Amukasa and Aoto are less expensive there. Maybe it is a smaller Aoto.

I am probably going to buy from 330mate.

I did a search on Aoto. Lower grit naturals seems to be a recurring topic.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Is that a natural, or synthetic?

they have both synthetic and natural
There is another place that you can get natural Aoto, and it comes in grades:
The Epicurean Edge: Japanese and European professional chefs knives

I'd been caught up in the hunt for a natural bevel setter too, but today I went and got a Norton 220/1k. I'm very glad I did. Unlike with naturals, I knew exactly what I'd be getting, so there was no risk of "man, this doesn't want to do what I want. now I have to go get something else. at least this hone looks pretty..." Actually, I think the Norton is quite ugly, but I wanted function over form. I did a little write up of my thoughts, if anyone cares to look.

they did ship very fast . i did get them already. 800k is a big one but medium grit stone is small.
i will test them and let you know the results.

I ordered the Dragon's Tongue and have an offer in on the Aoto.

So, the currently planned progression is Aoto> BBW or DT > Coticule > Nakayama/Frankonian

If I decide I need anything lower, I'll add an Iyo stone. If I can get one for a reasonable price, I might get one anyhow.

Originally Posted by Pyment

I am probably going to buy from 330mate.

I got an aoto for $28 (auction), 7 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 1 3/8, some fairly deep divots in the face. Laps unbelievably fast. Shipping was funky, got it, another stone, and a knife shipped air mail for $10, but it took two weeks to reach me from NY after making it across the ocean & 2 countries in 3 days.

I "won" an Aoto for $24.95 shipped. That will be good for setting bevels once lapped. I am expecting it to be in the 1-2000 grit range. Suitable for sharpening, but now polishing. I think I may have settled the next step up as well.

330mate has Oohira stones listed that he describes as suitable for "Kumori" which is mist and haze, I think. They are softer than true polishing stones and with a lower grit. This conclusion lead me through a number of sites dedicated to sword sharpening and polishing. Near as I can synthesize, this stone would fall about where the sword polishers move from sharpening to polishing about 4000-6000.

I found that the Amukasa (red and white) come from an island named Kyushu island.

Just to note in this thread, in case it hasn't already, both Sham and Olivia (and other members I don't remember off the top of my head) have found that the Amakusa Red is not suitable for honing razors.