Show us your Japanese Natural Whetstones

[rideon66]

Thank you gents. The size is ok, perfect for hand held, good for bench honing also. Sure, a bench stone of this quality would be a dream but currently impossible with my small budget. But rather a small high end stone than a large without a noteworthy result.

I went for a smaller affordable one too. Not only does it make a high end quality stone affordable, but I also find it forces learning technique and skill. Plus I really like hand honing. I find more control and working on old odd blades that are not perfectly straight work out much better on these size stones and hand honing.

Is that a Suita tomo?

 

[Sebrazor]

I think so too. Size does not really matter when you are a skilled honer. The tomo is a softer suita and gives a purplish slurry. It is very fast but fine, a pleasure to work with. Here is a pic in the sunlight when dry, has definitely nice look.

 

[alx gilmore]

Sebastian
I see little spots of nashiji in the kiita.
Nice,

Alx

 

[Sebrazor]

Alex
I have just recognized that those dots are in all my Jnats.
Most of time they are black and one Asagi has also brighter dots in addition to black dots. They look like sesame from the color and shape.
This Kiita has some black dots but most of time they are deep red. Here is a magnification (about30x).

 

[Sebrazor]

A magnification pic of the backside of my Shobu Asagi (about 30x or more). It is sealed with clear lacquer. I assume this brighter dots are Goma. The stone is pretty thick and on the front are much less of it but many of this very small black dots. This stone needs a pretty coarse lapping to get a good shaving edge. First I lapped it with 1.2k w/d and the edges were super harsh. Now I use a 1k diamond plate and then I do a few laps with a 325 dmt. The surface looks scratched or dull but I get very good results. It needs a lapping from time to time because it gets to smooth again and the edges harsher.

 

[Steve56]

Here's some eye candy for the honerati!

Cheers, Steve

 

[Steve56]

And round two...

Cheers, Steve

 

[RusenBG]

Wow i didnt expect that - again ha haha a You are killing me
Awesomme stones . Very pure .The third and the fourth looks absolutely pure
I will dream a honning nightmares now ha ha ah ah

 

[Steve56]

They're all extremely pure except the last one and it's a very good finisher, it would be a good traveler.

Cheers, Steve

 

[David]

Nice looking stones Steve. What's the Koma like?

 

[Steve56]

Nice looking stones Steve. What's the Koma like?

Not so hard and full of grit. Most koma have the grit, but many of the current crop are very hard, unpleasantly hard.

Cheers, Steve

 

[alx gilmore]

Alex
I have just recognized that those dots are in all my Jnats.
Most of time they are black and one Asagi has also brighter dots in addition to black dots. They look like sesame from the color and shape.
This Kiita has some black dots but most of time they are deep red. Here is a magnification (about30x).

Sebastian

Those small dark dots are the goma, and Steve's kiita in the first photo has the same nashiji light brown pattern as yours does, a pleasant feature of tomae strata stones. You suita tomonagura is from the Ohira mine, the purple color is the results of renge in the slurry. Super concentrated.

Steve
Those are the best photos I have ever seen, from you or anyone. Do you have enough time to use all these hones? Nice score.

Alex

Alex

 

[Sebrazor]

Alex

Thanks for the nice information. First I thought the yellowish inclusions in the Shobu are Goma because it looks like sesame seeds. It might rather be gold nuggets.


Steve

Real natural whetstone gold, always a pleasure to look at your stones.

 

[Steve56]

Thanks Alex,

I have to use 2-3 razors per shave to test them all - lol.

More on the photos later...

Cheers, Steve

 

[Steve56]

Alex

Thanks for the nice information. First I thought the yellowish inclusions in the Shobu are Goma because it looks like sesame seeds. It might rather be gold nuggets.


Steve

Real natural whetstone gold, always a pleasure to look at your stones.

Thank you Sebastian!

Cheers, Steve

 

[rideon66]

Nakayama Namito

 

[David]

Nice looking stone Tom.

 

[rideon66]

Nice looking stone Tom.

Thanks David. This one can make some phenomenal edges if I take the time.

Now I have to figure out this site again. Not so easy on my tablet.

 

[David]

Now I have to figure out this site again. Not so easy on my tablet.

It will take a while for us all to get used to it, but it's a MAJOR upgrade from what we were using. If I can help let me know.

 

[rideon66]

Ok figured I would try from computer and work up to the tablet. I don't use a computer at home ever so I need to figure out the process first then work it into the tablet.

Ok so it is much easier on a computer. Tablet was never easy, but now I know the process for up loading image. Will we be using the full size or thumbnail mostly now? I see it gives you the option.