Takashima and Meara

[Tolorobo]

I’m looking at picking up my first JNat and I have my eye on a Takashima or a Meara. Does anyone have experience with either of these stones and would you recommend one over the other? Or is there another stone that I should consider over these two?

 

[refcast]

Takashima should be good, most are moderate hardness so they slurry, and aren't super expensive. I don't think people necessarily need the high end name or mines for normal knife stuff anyway. A good option and actually what I'd recommend, along with hideriyama and the other less 'prestigious' mines in that area. By being less fine than the most famous mines, you'd usually get more speed and softness

 

[Tolorobo]

Takashima should be good, most are moderate hardness so they slurry, and aren't super expensive. I don't think people necessarily need the high end name or mines for normal knife stuff anyway. A good option and actually what I'd recommend, along with hideriyama and the other less 'prestigious' mines in that area. By being less fine than the most famous mines, you'd usually get more speed and softness

When you say not super expensive, what should I expect to spend on a Takashima? I know it depends on size and other factors, but I don’t understand how pricing works on JNats besides comparing to what’s currently on the market.

 

[refcast]

Around $250 for a normal user sized one I think, it always depends on a lot of stuff like size, consistency, shape, color