An update on my Aoto experience.

I am liking mine and seem to have been lucky. The side I have flattened has no "toxic" inclusions and (from descriptions of others) it is harder than average. I would agree with the 3-4K estimate and that is where So estimates them to fall.

It has become the place in my progression where I go from synthetic to natural stone. I find that I can easily go from my Aoto to either my BBW, coticule with slurry, or my Ohira Tomae.

I have also noted that the bevel appearance moves from hazy to more mirror-like from this point on.

Prior to this stone I am using either my King 1000 or my Arashiyama 1000 then my Chosera 2K.