well - I was very close to trying one of these stones from Metalmaster (Takeshi), but I talked with Alex (thejapanblade.com) and he had one (oh, just the one! :p ) beautiful suita in a small size, just over 4" (though pretty wide, about a wide as it is long; it's a funny trapezoidal shape:
http://www.thejapanblade.com/ebay/nakanishiji.jpg) for $150, which I just had to try.... I was already going to have to sell some pens to fund this damn RAD, but to right the scales of justice I'll have to sell this baby, a (modern) hand-lacquered japanese beauty.....
but the suita? the honing? the edge? MWAAHA!:beer2:.
thanks for your help, all.