Jnat pictures

[BakerAndBadger]

Hey,

Not been posting for a while but thought I'd share my latest score with you guys.
Picked these up last week, haven't received them yet - they're in Japan with my brother. As soon as I get them I'll give some more feedback but as you all love pictures here you are.
Got these as a lot, the one I was after comes first, it's a karasu, don't know anything more about it and as my brother doesn't hone he can't tell me what it's like but according to the seller they were from an "uncanny barbers shop" (online translation) and that they date from the "old good showa time".

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Here's the second stone. Gonna see if this one and the third are better than ones I've already got - if not then they'll cover the cost of the karasu.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

And last but not least the third stone. This looks to have a little nashiji but as I don't have it in front of me I can't be certain:

 

[Gamma]

Nice Karasu - check the white lines in the Karasu very carefully after you get it.
Often - they're toxic. Sometimes not, but best to be sure before trying it out with a good blade.
the others look real good too - ESP that last one.

 

[KZero]

Nice Karasu - check the white lines in the Karasu very carefully after you get it.
Often - they're toxic. Sometimes not, but best to be sure before trying it out with a good blade.
the others look real good too - ESP that last one.

Toxic, in what way? And how to check for it? (I'm very new to natural stones, just being curious.)

 

[Steve56]

Kenny,

Toxic means harmful to the blade and is a common term. In general toxic lines and inclusions can be hard like quartz or iron, or release fine sand or grit. Initially you'd just see if you can feel the line with your fingers. After that, no test but to put a blade on it. However, a cheap knife blade that's pretty well polished will work to see if it gets scratched beyond the normal grit pattern.

if the inclusion is toxic, the usual prescriptions are to avoid it with the blade, or pick out the line or inclusion with a carbide scribe until below surface.

Cheers, Steve

 

[KZero]

Kenny,

Toxic means harmful to the blade and is a common term. In general toxic lines and inclusions can be hard like quartz or iron, or release fine sand or grit. Initially you'd just see if you can feel the line with your fingers. After that, no test but to put a blade on it. However, a cheap knife blade that's pretty well polished will work to see if it gets scratched beyond the normal grit pattern.

if the inclusion is toxic, the usual prescriptions are to avoid it with the blade, or pick out the line or inclusion with a carbide scribe until below surface.

Cheers, Steve

Ah, OK I understand now.
Thanks, Steve.

 

[jpcwon]

Beautiful stones, Baker!! Esp like the Karasu...enjoy them!!

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Thanks fellas. I'm looking forward to trying these out, I like the look of the third too but I don't like honing on a table - prefer to hold the stone in my hand. Hopefully I can manage with this one.