Thread: New Japanese Stone

That was my next step, but I was holding off because if I decide to sell it, having the Kanji would be better, but I think I will lap it anyway.

This is the Suita that is working better than the Nakayama

If the stone is soft it could round the edge.
Can you take a look at the edge under magnification?
Try another razor and see how it goes.

Top right: 請合純正本山 ukeai junshou honyama = guaranteed real nakayama

Middle left: 日本剃刀用 nihon kamisori-you = for use with Japanese razors

Bottom right: 優良仕上砥 yuuryou-shiage-to = superior finishing hone (faded, but would have looked like this)

Bottom middle and left: (丸)市印 maruichi jirushi = Maruichi brand, 特撰 tokusen = especially selected

On the side: (丸)力正本山 maruka shou-honyama = real nakayama quarried when the Kato-family owned the mine.


The combination of both Maruka and Maruichi stamps is odd.

Thanks for the translation.

Originally Posted by joes978

I just resharpened the razor from bevel setting all the way up to finishing. After my Suita, I tested the razor and it shaved my arm hair very smooth with no effort at all, so then I did 20 laps with no slurry on the Nakayama Tomae and retested and it got worse. It grabbed arm hair and required a little force to shave. So I went back to the Suita with another 20 laps and it was back to smooth and effortless. Could my Ohira Suita really be better than a Maruka Nakyama Tomae? From what I've heard, thats not possible. Is there something differnt I have to do with a Tomae?

I believe this is what I said; perhaps in a milder tone.

Bruno makes a good point.

Tell what does the NT do with water. How quick does it soak in and how quick does it slurry.

It doesn't make a slurry without using my diamond plate, and it takes quite a while for it to soak up the water. Definately longer than the Suita takes, maybe twice as long.

Originally Posted by joes978

Could my Ohira Suita really be better than a Maruka Nakyama Tomae? From what I've heard, thats not possible. Is there something differnt I have to do with a Tomae?

Of course it's possible. These stones are natural. Their qualities are not decided in a laboratory.

The names, Nakayama Maruka Maruichi (the combination of those stamps is VERY odd...) is no guarantee of anything, and if your edges are coming better off the Ohira then the Ohira is a superior stone. Be happy!

Originally Posted by joes978

It doesn't make a slurry without using my diamond plate, and it takes quite a while for it to soak up the water. Definately longer than the Suita takes, maybe twice as long.

Interesting Joe. Mine are opposite. There are countless Tomae stones but I have only used two. Thousands of more experiences beyond what I have seen or know.

Nevertheless, perhaps it is not Tomae. And really, until you lap it you won't truly know whether it is a sealer, years of oxidation and grime that that you are encountering.

to test a stone I will polish the sides of carbon steel kitchen knife. The broad flatish surface will show me any tendency to scratchiness. And give a good indication of how much slurry kicks up. Plane irons and chisels also inform on the stone but that may not be your thing. Lastly a razor edge.(i've shaved off every stone i have except dia. plates)

I mention these as you asked how to make better use. Sometimes a razor is too light a touch to get inside the stone's mind.

I am presuming you were told this stone is a Tomae. Tomae is the name of a layer within the formation called naori in which the stones are found. It is 5th from the deepest. The naori your stone comes from is called the Hon-kuchi Naori. These mines are located on Mt Atago.

One of the more famous mines is Nakayama. It is famous for producing high quality finishing stones. Nakayama is known for producing deep strata stones.

Tomae layer is where most of the Nakayama stones you see come from. Within that layer is 48 stratum. So, there is some variability. Th miners were the ones that labeled the stones and they were highly skilled at correctly picking out the stones that would be useful for different purposes. Your stamps certainly look right for a razor. There is a market for counterfeit stones, however, there is always the chance of getting one. Of course the only person who could be certain which layer the stone came from is the miner who cut the stone.

In general, when you talk to experts with Japanese hones they will say that a harder stone is more difficult to use correctly. The Oohira Suita tend to be softish hones and easier to use. It may be that this stone will take some practice to get the hang of. I agree that lapping is likely to help and I like the idea of testing a side if you are considering selling.