Thread: Uninformed question on Jnats

Users post beautiful shots of their recently acquired stones, with numerouse Kanji characters printed on the stone.

Would I be correct in guessing that the first use will obliterate those stampings? Such that an owner would be wise to photograph the stone w/ markings before using?

The first use will not wear off the stamps, but over time they will wear off with continued use. Lapping will quickly eliminate them.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Users post beautiful shots of their recently acquired stones, with numerouse Kanji characters printed on the stone.

Would I be correct in guessing that the first use will obliterate those stampings? Such that an owner would be wise to photograph the stone w/ markings before using?

if owner planning to sell it in future that idea is great one.

I would definitely photograph the stone with stamps...
It's a shame that we try to collect these stones and use them at the same time, it makes preserving them that much harder!

It seems to depend on how they are stamped. I have one from Old_School, and the stamps on it are still going strong about a year later. A different one I got from 330mate lost its stamps the first time I used it. I don't know how or with what either was stamped, only the end result. I also don't know how other Jnats are stamped.

I appreciate your kind help on so basic a question.

Mine is stamped on the side so no problem.

Maruoyama stamps their stones on the side, if there's space, so that's nice, but otherwise the stamps aren't nearly as important as the person you buy the stone from. This is every bit as true in Japan as elsewhere.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

It seems to depend on how they are stamped. I have one from Old_School, and the stamps on it are still going strong about a year later. A different one I got from 330mate lost its stamps the first time I used it. I don't know how or with what either was stamped, only the end result. I also don't know how other Jnats are stamped.

The difference is, Nakaoka uses dollar store ink. Old_School was selling vintage stones, I think, so they were stamped by guys who were marking stones for the general market--meaning they had to resist handling, and even some testing.

When I was at Morihei last week, I saw some hones on top of the maim cabinet. I'm 6'1" and was taller than the cabinet so I could see the stamps on the hones there. As I say "what about these" I pick one up getting a reaction out of Mr. Morihei, who said "those are newly stamped and are still drying." The ink was jet black and didn't wash off of the finger tip that touched one of the wet spots. At least I didn't smudge the ink. It seemed like it would take quite a while to setup. Also, because the store has been in the business so long I am sure they are using traditional inks that will weather better than the dollar store inks.

I already lapped my stamp off. I did take pictures though for just that reason.