Thread: Identifying a random Japanese Natural stone

You are stating the obvious Martin - that is my site and nowhere in the long accompanying description does it say it is a magog stone - only the origin of the stone is 'speculated' at - just speculated. It is what it says on the label, quite obviously enough.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

You are stating the obvious Martin - that is my site and nowhere in the long accompanying description does it say it is a magog stone - only the origin of the stone is 'speculated' at - just speculated. It is what it says on the label, quite obviously enough.

Regards,
Neil

Im totally aware of that Neil and never said that you claimed your stone was a Magog, it is highly possible it is but you can agree that you cant call it a Magog without provenance.I did a lot of research on the magog and continue to do so, its a little irritating to see stones on ebay sold as
Magog !

We are in total agreement then, Martin - I just wanted to ensure that I was not a part of 'muddying the waters' like I usually accuse other people to do - it seems we have the same bee in our bonnets about unreliable identification, which is a good thing IMO.

All the Best,
Neil

Originally Posted by DaveW

No clue, I wouldn't buy it expecting it to beat an escher.

I have bought 3 stones from AJ, though (two slates and a big charnley), and been pleased with all three - all are easily capable of finishing a razor with no follow-up of anything but bare leather. But given that there are a lot of stones suspected to be such things on his listings, that's why I said "at least it's listed as such".

I'd like to not villify the guy, given that he's not asking much for anything, it's only the postage that the UK's postal system wants for confirmed mail that really grouches me.

I exchange many e-mail with AJ he is for sure a really nice person, i just dont agree with some names he uses and its grit rating is somewhat
a little overwhelming. I actually suggested to him to include the shipping with some of his stones because he was getting not so great feedback about shipping to the other side of the pond.

I agree with all of the above. At first, I thought he was trying to skirt something by charging so much on shipping, but after viewing the royal mail page, I see that confirmed royal mail just costs a mint. I wish he would ship more things economy, but I understand with all of the international shipping why he doesn't. I would probably buy a half dozen more stones from him if the stuff would be sent surface mail, but I don't want to go to the trouble to find out if he'll go there.

As far as the names, hopefully most people know there's no free lunch, at least not without risk. Grit ratings - well except the most experienced always overstate the fineness of natural stones. I've never figured out why. There are precious few natural stones with 1/2 micron grit particles and nothing larger...maybe none.

Originally Posted by DaveW

I agree with all of the above.
As far as the names, hopefully most people know there's no free lunch, at least not without risk. Grit ratings - well except the most experienced always overstate the fineness of natural stones. I've never figured out why.

Well i find the "most experienced" like you said dont give a grit rating on naturals at all, and i find that if they do its usually low ball, as far as "there no free lunch" like you said! if i buy a gold chain it better be gold. Seems like perhaps you shouldnt believed everything you read on ebay postings and perhaps buy quality, and correcty identify stones from many "experienced straight razor stone sellers" not on ebay.

I buy some of both. I have stones that cost $40, and stones that cost $500. I buy the $500 stones only from people who know exactly what they are and offer to take them back if I don't like them.

I do think you're attempting to bully the thread and others into the idea that everyone should agree with you, though, and I don't. I like having both types of sellers, and have no interest in a world full of "correct police" who get involved as a third party when not everyone wants them to. The world is not a researched congressional archive, and a bit of variety is nice.

Gentlemen, lets remember we are all friends here and keep it civil. I wouldn't want to have to close down the thread so if it is going to get 'personal' confine it to PMs. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Originally Posted by DaveW

I buy some of both. I have stones that cost $40, and stones that cost $500. I buy the $500 stones only from people who know exactly what they are and offer to take them back if I don't like them.

I do think you're attempting to bully the thread and others into the idea that everyone should agree with you, though, and I don't. I like having both types of sellers, and have no interest in a world full of "correct police" who get involved as a third party when not everyone wants them to. The world is not a researched congressional archive, and a bit of variety is nice.

My only attemp was to make members aware of fraudulent stone identification on ebay!

Yea that pricey shipping does stink.
But he gots nice stuff.
So at the end of the day it's worth buying
from him.
I am very happy with what i bought from him.