The Aoto Thread

[Pyment]

Back on subject.

I would be willing to send the Ohira Tomae to someone for testing. I think this is potentially an Aoto substitute to fit between the 1k-2K hone and the 8K stone. I paid $30 for it and, at that price, it is probably worth dealing with 339mate.

Kevin? Holli? Sham?

[holli4pirating]

ygmp 567890

[holli4pirating]

I've had a chance to play with pyment's hone (thanks again), and found it to be a very nice hone indeed. Harder than my Aoto (I really did not like my Aoto being so soft), and also a consistant hone (as far as slurries go...). I played with her with and without slurry, mostly with razors off my Norton 1k, but also tried from my Naniwa 400 (a bit bigger jump than I'd suggest). I think it's a great option for the lower/mid grit range. Personally, I would want a bigger one, but perhaps that is just personal preference. I have no idea what the hone cost or how much variation there is among this type of hone, so I don't know that I would make a general recommendation of this hone, but Pyment has a good one!

[Pyment]

I bought it from 330mate on this Ebay listing:

JAPANESE sharpening stone #100 Ohira Green kumori sword - eBay (item 200266041189 end time May-14-10 00:27:01 PDT)

I made an offer of $30 which included shipping

I agree that I felt it was a little small, but a worthwhile stone for the price and a possible Aoto alternative. I did end up buying a larger version of it from him for $125 shipped.

[Ieronymus]

I received an Aoto stone from 330mate about two weeks ago, no problems with shipping, a very quick delivery should the truth be told..

The stone contained none of the flaws some of you have described, such as inclusions or hard veins running through the rock. It did come with multiple broken corners and big cracks, but nothing fatal.

The stone acts as I expect it should, delivering a medium fine finish on the stuff I've tried it out on (old Swedish chisels, to be precise), works both with and without the slurry.

There is an (slightly) annoying tendency for the strong to drag in one area (around one of the cracks) on whatever's being sharpened, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on the sharpening result.

All in all I like it, and for 30 USD delivered to Denmark, I'm quite happy with the experience. Could just be that I got lucky, judging from some of the other stories told in this thread.

I will be ordering an Aoto from Dick just as you have done, Buddel. Their products are always up to par and hopefully will give a good reference against which to judge the 330mate stone.

[Bayamontate]

While the Amakusa Red does have many inclusions if you are patient while lappingit, it can yield a good working area and excellent results on heavier grinds. I really like the softer scratch pattern before 1K. I wouldn't use it on a full hollow or the like.

[Traskrom]

waste of money it is not mean to for straight razor's.

Quote above is absolutely right. Aoto is not suitable for razors. It is traditionally used for knifes only. Structure of the hone and it's and fragility can damage the edge.

In fact, I also wanted to buy Aoto for initial sharpening. I have one from 330 and the quality of the stone is not excellent.

I asked Morihei san about aoto, and the reply was

we usually use stones in following order

1. Initial sharpening: Arato
2. Middle sharpening: Nakado
3. Finishing

In general, Aoto is used at finishing (usually just before final finishing) and at the middle sharpening..
Aoto is rarely used as Arato (i.e. at initial sharpening)
Aoto is usually very soft and it is fragile.

Using Aoto as finishing or Nakado for knives is good.
But we think it will take away a fine edge of razors because of it’s fragility.
Aoto is fragile, so as you use Aoto, there will be small hollow or chips which sensitive blades of razors will be stuck with.

[mainaman]

Quote above is absolutely right. Aoto is not suitable for razors. It is traditionally used for knifes only. Structure of the hone and it's and fragility can damage the edge.

In fact, I also wanted to buy Aoto for initial sharpening. I have one from 330 and the quality of the stone is not excellent.

I asked Morihei san about aoto, and the reply was

we usually use stones in following order

1. Initial sharpening: Arato
2. Middle sharpening: Nakado
3. Finishing

In general, Aoto is used at finishing (usually just before final finishing) and at the middle sharpening..
Aoto is rarely used as Arato (i.e. at initial sharpening)
Aoto is usually very soft and it is fragile.

Using Aoto as finishing or Nakado for knives is good.
But we think it will take away a fine edge of razors because of it’s fragility.
Aoto is fragile, so as you use Aoto, there will be small hollow or chips which sensitive blades of razors will be stuck with.

I am sorry but you are a bit off, there are very good Aoto, although rare, that are very fine stones and also very hard stones.
Take a look at this:
JapaneseNaturalStones.com: Why i do not sell Aotos

[Traskrom]

there are very good Aoto, although rare, that are very fine stones and also very hard stones.[/url]

For the knifes - sure. But I am personally wouldn’t use it for razors.

[mainaman]

For the knifes - sure. But I am personally wouldn’t use it for razors.

have you tired a quality one ? A good one works just fine for razor.