Which jnat to buy?

[Pie]

Wife told me to take 3-400 of the tax money and go buy a rock. The guilt of frivolous spending is immense, but the allure of a possible lower level endgame stone (stone, not brick) has me all twitchy and clammy. Keep in mind I don’t plan on attaining a 2 kilo okudu suita for decades.

I’m at where I don’t have too many glaring holes in the progression, but not at all close to doubling up. Probably low prefinisher is where I’m lacking.

A couple I’ve been ogling.. (yeahhh they’re all pretty)

https://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/umajiyama-akapin-lv-2-5-a2797/
https://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/atagoyama-lv-2-5-a2762/
https://thecooksedge.com/collections/natural-whetstones/products/shobu-natural-stone-soft
-Kiru’s marou aisa

-Marou shiro suita (gotta find one in budget) - I’ve been ignoring this one far too long.

Also definitely not opposed to using this as a WTB thread as well, you guys are likely the best source!

Thanks in advance!

 

[julestools]

I can’t speak highly enough about the right maruo—I absolutely adore mine and use it in every progression. Buttery fast point and shoot kasumi with very fine finishes if you manage the mud properly.

Another option too if you can fork out just that bit extra—I would honestly snag that shobu iromono on JNS’ site (that you didn’t link). She’s a baaaddie

 

[Rangen]

Are you building a polishing progression, or a sharpening progression?

 

[Pie]

I can’t speak highly enough about the right maruo—I absolutely adore mine and use it in every progression. Buttery fast point and shoot kasumi with very fine finishes if you manage the mud properly.

Another option too if you can fork out just that bit extra—I would honestly snag that shobu iromono on JNS’ site (that you didn’t link). She’s a baaaddie

I passed on a bunch of marou shiro a couple years ago.. one even came back to me to rub salt in the wound. They’re incredible stones, huge amounts of grip with zero sticky. Heh, I saw that iromono.. ooof might have to frame it lol.

Are you building a polishing progression, or a sharpening progression?

Polisher would be my intention, but if it checks all the boxes I’m not opposed to something edge focused. I currently don’t feel my sharpening skills are tight enough to really appreciate a super fine razor stone, and I’m pretty happy with my current edge stones.

 

[nakiriknaifuwaifu]

where's @ethompson

 

[Pie]

where's @ethompson

I was scared to mention his name. Might just rain stones through my windows.

Secondary question - are JNS stones generally assumed to be top tier quality?

 

[ethompson]

I was scared to mention his name. Might just rain stones through my windows.

Secondary question - are JNS stones generally assumed to be top tier quality?

I wish people would throw JNats through my windows

 

[ethompson]

@Pie a great akapin or shoubu iromono are never bad choices! Are you looking for something soft and easy, something harder and finer, something else? I’ve, uh, got stuff haha

 

[ethompson]

The aframes shoubu iromono also call to me…

 

[Mr Kooby Shemayrew]

Wife told me to take 3-400 of the tax money and go buy a rock.

That word.



Are you sure she means JNAT?

And not an Ark?

 

[ReiHamono]

I saw this interesting stone being sold in the forum, might be good

https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/syoubudani-aakapin-207mm×75mm×55mm-2-3kg.62822/

 

[user 16756]

I was scared to mention his name. Might just rain stones through my windows.

Secondary question - are JNS stones generally assumed to be top tier quality?

Maxim's stones are good, but I would hesitate to suggest they're really better than some other options out there. Personally, I think his prices are a bit high, but he's had his storefront for forever so that's part of it.

My favorite stone I've ever owned in this price range was the okudo I sold @ethompson , though Im guessing he sold it for the same reason I did (a preference for larger stones)

 

[Mr Kooby Shemayrew]

I have 4 JNATS. Left to right, Ohira Suita, Nakayama Asagi Maruka, fake Nakayama Asagi Maruka, and an Ozuku Mizu Asagi.

If I had to keep only one and the primary use was knives, it would be the Ohira Suita. It is about twice as fast as the asagi’s, and with pressure it gives a wonderful knife edge. Has more bite. With a very light touch it can also finish a razor nicely.

Suitas are pretty sweeta.

 

[Pie]

I saw this interesting stone being sold in the forum, might be good

https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/syoubudani-aakapin-207mm×75mm×55mm-2-3kg.62822/

I was also afraid to mention your name . That akapin calllls. Wish I could but it’s too rich for my blood.

Thanks for all the input guys, I’m gonna let it stew in my brain for a few days.

In the mean time, anyone know how to get a marou from the source?

 

[Miyamoto Musashi]

I was also afraid to mention your name . That akapin calllls. Wish I could but it’s too rich for my blood.

Thanks for all the input guys, I’m gonna let it stew in my brain for a few days.

In the mean time, anyone know how to get a marou from the source?

Lovely idea for a thread.

As for getting Maruoyama stones from the source this is the natural stone wholesaler “Totoriya’s” online storefront. 天然砥石の採掘・販売　砥取家（ととりや）【京都・亀岡】合さ・巣板・並板・戸前が揃う砥石山"

It’s a bit difficult to navigate, even with google translate. Hopefully some of the experienced folks here can share their advice on how to navigate (for instance, does the google translation of “nest board” refer to suita)?

 

[Hassanbensober]

Lovely idea for a thread.

As for getting Maruoyama stones from the source this is the natural stone wholesaler “Totoriya’s” online storefront. 天然砥石の採掘・販売　砥取家（ととりや）【京都・亀岡】合さ・巣板・並板・戸前が揃う砥石山"

It’s a bit difficult to navigate, even with google translate. Hopefully some of the experienced folks here can share their advice on how to navigate (for instance, does the google translation of “nest board” refer to suita)?

I used to check this site several times daily more months. Almost never is something in stock. He usually restocks it once a month. Still haven’t had any luck purchasing from here. His last stone drop on this site 2-1-23 according to the announcements on the site.

 

[ReiHamono]

I purchase 75% of my stones from here


What, you can’t read Japanese???

Lovely idea for a thread.

As for getting Maruoyama stones from the source this is the natural stone wholesaler “Totoriya’s” online storefront. 天然砥石の採掘・販売　砥取家（ととりや）【京都・亀岡】合さ・巣板・並板・戸前が揃う砥石山"

It’s a bit difficult to navigate, even with google translate. Hopefully some of the experienced folks here can share their advice on how to navigate (for instance, does the google translation of “nest board” refer to suita)?

 

[TRPV4]

I saw this interesting stone being sold in the forum, might be good

https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/syoubudani-aakapin-207mm×75mm×55mm-2-3kg.62822/

For $300-400? what a steal! sign me up man

 

[Miyamoto Musashi]

I purchase 75% of my stones from here


What, you can’t read Japanese???

Have all of them been good?

 

[ReiHamono]

Absolutely, my collect is very incredible and most are from him.

I can’t achieve my finishes without his perfect stones

 

[julestools]

Have all of them been good?

Can confirm this site is legit af. A little scary since you’re buying blind with little impressions on stone feedback etc (the benefit of using someone like @ethompson or @musicman980), but you’re not going to get hit on price or legitimacy.

Buying from Watanabe or Namikawa has also proven to be successful if you’re willing to navigate them, and their offerings are generally pretty cost effective.

 

[Hassanbensober]

I purchase 75% of my stones from here


What, you can’t read Japanese???

Did not mean to come off pouty about the site. There is always a couple 2k 3k stones available and I’m sure they are amazing. I just always somehow manage to miss everything else every time