I had given up on liking the Japanese natural hones that have come through my hands. Total of seven so far. Two of which weren't razor caliber, so I gave them to my brother for his chefs knives. The others wer all nice but I couldn't get the consistant edges off of them that I could off of my coticules and cro oxide, so I sold those ones. But I had the opportunity to get another 'good' one and thought I would take it.
What I got is a Nakayama Maruichi Kiita for Razor use hone. Size is 141mm x 87mmx 20mm. It has all of the stamps and I hope that it will perform better than the ones I had in the past. By better I mean that I hope the results will be more consistant. I also plan on getting some Nagura to test out their effect on this and some other hones that I am considering getting too.
The other two I am also considering getting are some more expensive ones. All of the ones I have got have been comparitively low priced and small. This one that I have bought and is pictured is the so called razor size of hones. The other two I am looking at getting are bigger still. One is a size 40 Oohira Suita (size is 205mm x 75mm x 25mm). I am planning on asking to test it before I buy it. It is labeled at #36000 grit. And the third hone I am thinking about getting to test out is a Nakayama Maruichi Mizu Asagi (the second one pictured below). This Asagi is a big one. 1700 grams. It is not a regular shape, more like an enlarged razor sized hone; size 168mm x 104mm x 38mm.
I don't have a picture of the Suita but I will try to get one later this week.
The Kiita and the Asagi are below. I think they will keep me busy for quite a while. :)
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...nakayama-2.jpg
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...nakayama-1.jpg
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...nakayama-3.jpg
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...nakayama-4.jpg