Aoto- Japanese Stone *LINK*

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone *LINK*

Chris Scholz


>Picked up a natural sharpening stone on a trip to Asia a while ago. The stone is a bit smaller. If I remember correctly I paid a few US cents for that stone. Is there any reliable way to determine the grade of a stone?

In any case it works well enough for my skill level.

Chris, Atlanta, GA




http://www.wdynamic.com/galoots/4images/details.php?image_id=4089

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX


>That's a natural waterstone from Japan Woodworker. These stones are meant to be used just before polishing/finishing. I just bought a natural one from Mifuqwai on ebay, was delivered today. I've also got a Nonpareil from Japan Woodworker, supposed to be used the same way. But only today did I get enough natural stones to move from the Shaptons (the last shipment of 4 stones came in), so I haven't tried either one yet.

The idea is that sometimes you actually go to a softer stone for finishing/polishing, depending on the blade, etc. So you need a whole pile of them to experiment. It's taken me more than a year to accumulate them.

Pam

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX


>You probably could make a reasonable estimate on hardness (grades 1-5, 5 is the hardest), but the only way to really tell anything is by using it.

Pam

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Hank Knight in SC


>Craig Stevens, the instructor at my drawer building class at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, says natural stones are the best finish stones. They have a random grit sizes/pattern that doesn't leave regular scratch patterns on the steel like man made stones and grits up to 30K. I recently bought some high-end Japanese chisels. Craig suggested I might benefit from one of the natural Japanese finish stones because the fine grained steel in my chisels was capable of a very fine edge. I checked them out and the cost is prohibitive on my woodworking budget. I'm happy with my Norton 8K.

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Kevin Adams


>Hi Pam--

Trying to follow your note and out of curiosity, have you moved away from Shaptons? If so, care to elaborate? I have gone back and forth over the years from oil to water to back to oil again now, but I do miss the feedback and polish that waterstones provide. I used to have the middle stone from Japan WW'er (literally looked like a blue brick if it's the same one you're talking about) and it did a surburb job when mated with their polishing stone. I also used Shaptons for a while, but grew tired of the "sticking". My other issue is my tools were rusting too much (I'm in New England), so the oil puts a stop to that (but messy).

Anyway, I'd be interested in any feedback/advice as to what you're using and why, if you have the time. Thanks.

Kevin

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX


>I've grown to hate the stiction with the Shaptons and western blades, too. Now there are ways around this, like digging canals in the stones (what I'm doing for the time being) or buying a whole new set that supposedly accommodates western tools; but once I found the natural stone deal on LV I got very interested in the natural stones. And then I found piles of them on ebay from a trusted Japanese vendor, although shipping costs are killing me. So, when I get a new sharpening station set up, I plan to start experimenting. At this point, I know just enough to start. :)

Pam

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Kevin Adams


>I ebayed my Shaptons a while ago and went back to oil stones, but have been having second thoughts lately. I've seen the supposed "western blade" version of Shaptons, but haven't been moved to try them. Really my favorites (and I also used Nortons at one point) where the set from Japan WW'er that I mentioned above. I had about a 700 Bester (still have it in fact) and it was quick and clean to go to the blue stone and the moutain polish.

Thanks for the feedback and please keep us posted if you don't mind.

Kevin

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX


>Thanks, Kevin. I plan to start with the natural Aoto, although mine's not blue, probably from another mountain, and some nagura, then gradually work to the others. However, some people on the Hiraide forum (start at japanesetools.com) already know lots of this stuff, so you may want to check in if you decide to try again. I'll try to keep you informed.

Pam

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

thomd


>I've had two of those stones for about 20 years. I got them when Humphries the guy behind Excaliber saws, sold his Japanese tools buisness, just wish I had had more money at the time. Mine are bluish when the water is on them> I like the way they sharpen but they are like a 1500 stone.

Seems like that mine has been on the verge of running out of those stones for 30 years. It's not a particularly valuable stone per se. At the time they sold for about the same price as the 1500 lobster artificial stones.

Re: Aoto- Japanese Stone

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX


>The ones sold here sure aren't that valuable, but I'll have to take your word on the value of the Aoto stones in general. I certainly don't know that. Interesting that some here are trying to manufacture scarcity. :)

Pam