Originally Posted by
thebigspendur
The Japanese stones come in many types according to grit and then within each type there can be up to ten or more grades so you need to know the type of stone and the grade within that type before you buy. Most of the top japanese stones are clay based and very soft unlike coticules or echers and therefore quite fragile. If you are going to get it sawed you need a real pro to do it to avoid damage. I have a finishing stone I got a few months ago. They will put a real polish on a razor, more so than a coticule but I don't think that translates into a better shave. The one I have comes from Iwasaki's private quarry, long defunct. Just make sure it isn't a stone meant mostly for sword honing.