WTS Vintage Hatanaka Maruichi Renge Suita

[OkayMode]

£500

• 205 x 78 x 30mm
• 1248g
• I believe this to be a Hatanaka mining corp stone. Label on the original box is ripped unfortunately.
• It’s very fast and quite fine, instantly kicking up black metal swarf with not much in the way of mud unless you force a slurry. It will create a glossy and scratchless semi-mirror finish albeit with less contrast than my other stones.
• Medium hardness (around a 4?) but doesn’t feel too hard or glassy, instead feeling pretty smooth overall with good feedback - in my limited experience it is just right for this stage in a polishing progression.
• I like using this stone just with water, but recommend raising slurry with a nagura versus diamond plate if that’s your thing, as the resulting mud with the latter is a bit scratchy on most iron cladding with no real benefit to speed.
• The lines are all benign and cannot be felt, and do no scratch, but please note the small chip at one end which is easily avoided.
• The stone is sealed.

 

[user 37848]

£500

• 205 x 78 x 30mm
• 1248g
• I believe this to be a Hatanaka mining corp stone. Label on the original box is ripped unfortunately.
• It’s very fast and quite fine, instantly kicking up black metal swarf with not much in the way of mud unless you force a slurry and leaving a glossy and scratchless semi-mirror finish albeit with less contrast than my other stones.
• Medium hardness (around a 4?) but doesn’t feel too hard or glassy, and is pretty smooth in my experience - in my limited experience it feels just right for this stage in a polishing progression.
• I like using this stone just with water, but recommend raising slurry with a nagura versus diamond plate if that’s your thing, as the resulting mud with the latter is a bit scratchy on most iron cladding with no real benefit to speed.
• The lines are all benign and cannot be felt, and do no scratch, but please note the small chip at one end which is easily avoided.
• The stone is sealed.

View attachment 283710

Sheesh that polish tho

 

[OkayMode]

Sheesh that polish tho

Thanks By!

 

[Alder26]

Hahah I believe I used to own both that knife and that stone

 

[OkayMode]

Hahah I believe I used to own both that knife and that stone

It’s the circle of life!

 

[Millertime]

I originally purchased this stone from Carbon Knife Co. almost 4 years ago. Kind of cool to see where it is now. If I remember correctly when I looked up the kanji from the stamps, I discovered it was stated as a Nakayama. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I was able to retrieve an original picture of it.

 

[Alder26]

It’s the circle of life!

Indeed! Stone is a real specimen! beautiful and easy going Kasumi machine!

 

[OkayMode]

I originally purchased this stone from Carbon Knife Co. almost 4 years ago. Kind of cool to see where it is now. If I remember correctly when I looked up the kanji from the stamps, I discovered it was stated as a Nakayama. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I was able to retrieve an original picture of it.

View attachment 283815

Please do PM me with any info/corrections and I’ll be happy to update the listing accordingly!

 

[OkayMode]

Indeed! Stone is a real specimen! beautiful and easy going Kasumi machine!

Agreed, this is only being offered up to fund an ‘upgrade’ to an Ohira Renge, but I’m sure I’ll just be paying more for some prestige and aesthetics.

 

[Millertime]

Please do PM me with any relevant info/corrections and I’ll be happy to update the listing accordingly!

I do not think you need to adjust any info/corrections other than double checking and verifying to see if it is indeed a Nakayama according to the kanji from the picture I provided. I am pretty sure when I researched it years ago, it is. Again, someone correct me if I am wrong. I used this link as a resource. Hope this helps if you care to do so.

Japanese Natural Stones, Kanji & Information

 

[OkayMode]

I do not think you need to adjust any info/corrections other than double checking and verifying to see if it is indeed a Nakayama according to the kanji from the picture I provided. I am pretty sure when I researched it years ago, it is. Again, someone correct me if I am wrong. I used this link as a resource. Hope this helps if you care to do so.

Japanese Natural Stones, Kanji & Information

I am no expert but I will take a look

When I say PM me, I don’t intend to obstruct info being shared in the thread - happy for all to comment and clarify origin etc here, especially the previous owners!

 

[Millertime]

I mentioned this as it may be considered more valuable and helps with your sale if it is indeed a Nakayama.

 

[OkayMode]

I mentioned this as it may be considered more valuable and helps with your sale if it is indeed a Nakayama.

Much appreciated, thank you!

 

[Alder26]

I was also told that it was Nakayama when I purchased it but felt a little wary about trying to inflate the price when I posted it.

This stone really is a steal! One of the best performers I’ve ever used!

 

[OkayMode]

So i've done some digging and established the below on the stamps from @Millertime's photo - i'm no expert so corrections welcome:

It's definitely from Hatanaka Co, and we can probably infer it's either Nakayama or Shoubudani but I am not going to assert either way on that as I don't know for sure.

Top right:
正本山 - Shouhonyama
ス板 - Suita

Middle left:
日本剃刀用 - For Japanese razor

Bottom middle:
市印 - Maruichi jirushi, Maruichi brand
特撰 - Tokusen, especially selected

'It has been said that this stamp was used by Kato-san when he ran the quarry at Nakayama [and before Hatanaka-san used the Maruka stamp]. Allegedly, not all stones with this stamp are from Nakayama. For whatever reason - there doesn’t seem to be any hard data on this stamp’s origin, use, or history.' Japanese Whetstone Glossary | TomoNagura.Com | Keith V. Johnson

Bottom right:
優良仕上砥 - Good quality finishing stone (Awasedo).

 

[OkayMode]

Big thanks to @dragjp who helped fill in the blanks on the kanji translations above!