The Aoto Thread

[holli4pirating]

This stone is worth the money. If i am not mistaken it was 13.00 . i hope they will have a little larger size. it acts 2-3k level and it is a good one. Go head buy this. it is worth it.
hope this helps

Glad to hear it, cause I've got one in the mail. Mine is 65x180x35mm.

[sparq]

Good news indeed. I am waiting for the same stone.

[Pyment]

me too.

I see a pattern.

[Smokintbird]

Personally, I like my Aoto....I've had it and my Amakusa Red for a few months.

I agree with others in saying that the Amakusa Red has too many inclusions to be usefull for Razors, I love using it on knives but I have been unwilling to try a razor on a stone that has 1/8" holes that pop up out of nowhere when it is lapped. I think for razors, I will keep looking for a low grit natural stone that suits me....

As for the Aoto, the description made earlier of it feeling like "sidewalk chalk" is pretty accurate. It gets muddy almost at once when sharpening a knife, but with a razor, you can get 15 to 20 laps before it needs a rinse.

When it comes to soaking, I have always heard that No Natural stone should be soaked....so I have actually laquered the sides and bottom of my Aoto, and I usually just dip the stone in the water any time it needs wetting, the absorbed water seems to be enough.

The grit, I would characterize as between 2K and 4K JIS....I use it after the King 1200 and before the Tam O'Shanter, this gives me good results.

Overall I would say, good feedback, good price, good cutter....worth the price in my opinion.

[Pyment]

The stone that usually comes first in Japanese Sword polishing is called the Arato. This is only used on heavily rusted or newly forged swords.

The next step is called the Binsui using a stone in the 600 range the Binsuita. Which 330mate is selling on ebay and looks a lot like the Amukasa (which is the name of an island - I think).

[JimR]

Where do we find these stones for such good prices, pray?

[holli4pirating]

Where do we find these stones for such good prices, pray?

My Aoto is coming from 330mate; his website is 330mate.com. Aoto's are available from HidaTool.com with prices depending on the size. Since you are in Japan, I would suggest you check with 330mate first.

[SiRed8]

The stone that usually comes first in Japanese Sword polishing is called the Arato. This is only used on heavily rusted or newly forged swords.

The next step is called the Binsui using a stone in the 600 range the Binsuita. Which 330mate is selling on ebay and looks a lot like the Amukasa (which is the name of an island - I think).

I'm glad you mentioned him as i was bout to post bout this as I saw one of the auctions. I checked his feedback and while I've seen couple where he sold the same stone and one cracked and the other buyer never got his. Sure others were satisfied-not to disparage the seller but it sure doesn't give one peace of mind when purchasing. Add to that he claims I should be able to get the package at latest 23 days?

I had Jim send me package that arrived in week. Please tell me whats wrong with that picture. Don't say "dude's got a business and probably sending off thousands of items..." That's irrelevant. If I paid for something, I expect it to be shipped and not have to worry about receiving the item or not.

Carry on... :P

[mainaman]

I'm glad you mentioned him as i was bout to post bout this as I saw one of the auctions. I checked his feedback and while I've seen couple where he sold the same stone and one cracked and the other buyer never got his. Sure others were satisfied-not to disparage the seller but it sure doesn't give one peace of mind when purchasing. Add to that he claims I should be able to get the package at latest 23 days?

I had Jim send me package that arrived in week. Please tell me whats wrong with that picture. Don't say "dude's got a business and probably sending off thousands of items..." That's irrelevant. If I paid for something, I expect it to be shipped and not have to worry about receiving the item or not.

Carry on... :P

if you go with the free shipping then you get 2 weeks before the item is at your door if you live in the US. I got mine with the free shipping, and he shipped it ~ 10 days after I made payment. I am expecting the stone in the next 2 weeks.