Wow that finish on the #1 is phenomenal. I want every rock in your house.
It is very hard to give grit ratings on natural stones, but comparing the scratch patterns on the stones, I'd say that the #2 cuts like a #2000 and finishes like a Takashima in the #6-8000 range. The #2 doesen't cut at all, but scratches like an Aoto without slurry, I'd estimate a #800-2000. If you can find something like the #1, you would be really happy with it as a finisher or pre-polisher.
DArkHOeK
Daaaamn, now I want one. I've always thought of naturals as more for polishing than sharpening, but that sounds like it would be a great replacement for a Suehiro Rika if you need a splash and go stone.
maybe, but its not going to work the same on all steels... also, keep in mind that many naturals struggle with harder stainless steels. There are some naturals that work well for these, but not that many that i've found.
That's absolutely right, Jon. I have, however, found a couple of stones that work equally well on all steels I have tried them on from the softer SS to the glass hard Aoko #1 honyaki. These stones are the #1 Aka-pin, my Nakayama karasu and my Oohira asagi. I would also add in my Aoto, but that favors the harder steels even if it works fine also on the softer steels.
That said, it will still be a game of chance to find these kinds of stone. I have been through a lot of trial and error and discarded quite a few "paper weights" to find these jewels. Don't give up and good luck.
DARKhOEk
I have one Karasu that is LV 2 very soft for knifes i use my self very fast stone its perfect for honyakis.
If you choose some from Ohira or Nartuaki they are softer.
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Wow that finish on the #1 is phenomenal. I want every rock in your house.
Aizu works amazingly well on SS and carbon of any kind.
Very very nice stone.
I can't comment how it measures up against Aoto, because I do not have good Aoto, but I like how aggressive it is with any steel I have tried.I agree that the Aizu is a very nice stone indeed, and very beautiful too. However, I actually find it a little bit too hard for my liking for most knife use, and find myself using the Aoto a lot more for knives, but the Aizu is excellent for my Japanese planes and chisels as it is a lot harder and less prone to "digging" from narrow chisels. Maybe I just use it wrong for knives? I don't know, but my Aoto is really excellent, and that might have something to say for my experience with the Aizu.
DarkHOeK
I can't comment how it measures up against Aoto, because I do not have good Aoto, but I like how aggressive it is with any steel I have tried.
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