Dave, I have a Shinden that is almost white and has karasu, colors can vary as you know
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Yes, nothing is guaranteed. To me, though, because of that - I always feel like there's a small chance that even when I get a stone from a reputable dealer, somewhere along the line someone has stamped something or claimed something that is not true. Either because it's not known or because they feel like it.
At this point, I only care how stones are in use, so the markings on the stone the OP is describing are something i'd disregard as soon as I was satisfied with the stone.
That is not a good way to go for someone who likes to buy and resell stones, because an unmarked stone is always monstrously harder to sell.
I still think that stone is some strata close to suita, and/or may just be a funny colored tomae, but I wouldn't care what it was if it was nice to use.
I'd be happy if this stone has become a true SUITA. Preferably something like Okudo Suita from Alx :)
Nothing is bad with it.
But I am sure that it is not :(
It's just an Awase-do.
Thank you anyway!
BTW, here it is couple images of the stone with 200x magnification:
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The stick in the center is the hair from my head for scale.
It looks excellent and uniform. Have you honed anything with it yet? It's a stone I'd be glad to have regardless of what it says on the surface.
Be sure to share it. I am no good at buying valuable hones because I can't wait to lap the skin off of them and see how good they are.
I lap them right after they come out of the packaging and pics were taken for proof of origin.
Spent part of the weekend getting to know my first Jnat (a lot of fun!!). Its an Okudo, asagi, tomae I received from Alex - The Japan Stone. Thanks for all your help Alex - I couldn't have picked a better first stone without your help!! I absolutely love the the feedback when using this stone, it is a great finisher and beautiful to look at - love the earthy smell of the stone - instead of the chalky smell of the synthetics I have. My first attempt using my new Okudo was to refresh my Dubl Duck Goldedge - I used a diamond nagura to generate a light slurry - and did 21 passes 3x - stropping between sets and then one set with just water. I will try the nagura's from Alex next. The shave with the DD was excellent - very smooth/close and comfortable. I have a bad feeling I just acquired a new acquisition disorder!! I'm already looking at pre-finishers and coarser stones!!!
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