Pikehaus
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Every Arkansas I've ever seen has been perfectly rectangular. Why is it different for Jnats?
Why are Jnats unevenly shaped?
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There are a lot of perfect rectangle jnats, but they tend to be more expensive than irregular shaped pieces or 'koppa'. In specific relation to Arkansas stones the reasons are these...
Arkansas stones are cut smaller than many jnats, it's easier to find consistent rock if you're cutting it smaller.
Jnats are mostly mud/siltstones/shales. By their nature these are more likely to have inconsistent inclusions, or toxicity, than novaculites. So again finding larger stones of an even grit is less likely. You may have to cut around it and make an irregularly shaped piece.
Arkansas stones are way harder than jnats, and so much more difficult to flatten. And it's easier to flatten stones that you've sawn into nice consistent rectangles already.
(Probably a load of other reasons too, but those are the most obvious).
Arkansas stones are cut smaller than many jnats, it's easier to find consistent rock if you're cutting it smaller.
Jnats are mostly mud/siltstones/shales. By their nature these are more likely to have inconsistent inclusions, or toxicity, than novaculites. So again finding larger stones of an even grit is less likely. You may have to cut around it and make an irregularly shaped piece.
Arkansas stones are way harder than jnats, and so much more difficult to flatten. And it's easier to flatten stones that you've sawn into nice consistent rectangles already.
(Probably a load of other reasons too, but those are the most obvious).
I notice that Japanese stones also tend to fetch quite a high price compared to Belgian, Arkansas, et al. And perfectly rectangular stones, especially more "prestigious" stones can have astronomical prices. Are "offcuts" of non-Japanese stones even sold to consumers? If not, it may suggest the higher price point encourages stratifying offerings with cheaper options.
At the very least, it shows JNAT prices are influenced by collectors who prefer pristine condition over quality of usage.
At the very least, it shows JNAT prices are influenced by collectors who prefer pristine condition over quality of usage.
@cotedupy hit the nail on the heard.
Arkansas stones are typically cut much smaller (~200x50 or less many times, though bigger exists) than than a full size bench stone from Japan (~210x80). Additionally their stock material tends to be of more uniform purity and therefore can be easily cut into perfectly rectangular pieces. Smaller pieces + nice purity = lots of uniform cuts.
The big perfect bricks of Japanese natural stones exist, they're just comparatively rare and exceedingly expensive. For Uchigumori in particular, I've heard the flawless bricks mostly don't make it to market and are sent straight to sword polishers who get first pick of all new stock.
You definitely can find smaller offcuts, called "koppa," out there, and they are a great way to get into Jnats without braking the bank. My first several were all koppa.
Arkansas stones are typically cut much smaller (~200x50 or less many times, though bigger exists) than than a full size bench stone from Japan (~210x80). Additionally their stock material tends to be of more uniform purity and therefore can be easily cut into perfectly rectangular pieces. Smaller pieces + nice purity = lots of uniform cuts.
The big perfect bricks of Japanese natural stones exist, they're just comparatively rare and exceedingly expensive. For Uchigumori in particular, I've heard the flawless bricks mostly don't make it to market and are sent straight to sword polishers who get first pick of all new stock.
You definitely can find smaller offcuts, called "koppa," out there, and they are a great way to get into Jnats without braking the bank. My first several were all koppa.
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There are mine videos out there, by The Japan Stone and by toishi.jp which is the maruoyama mine, of the mines. The usable stone are in veins that go up and down, each separated by harder rock called kawa, or the skin l, which is reddish or black. Because the stone has to be cut following the veins, which go up and down and left and right, the there are leftover stone shapes and whatnot.
Looking up novaculite, it seems more uniform, like a hillside is made of the stone, so that's probably why.
There higher labor cost in mining the stone inside the tunnel, and then grading all them because quality differs often enough, and there's inclusions or cracks that make the stone less usable. I haven't seen Arkansas stones with lines through them, but I haven't looked hard
Jnat industry is very labor intensive and inefficient, but highly valued by the people who do use them
Looking up novaculite, it seems more uniform, like a hillside is made of the stone, so that's probably why.
There higher labor cost in mining the stone inside the tunnel, and then grading all them because quality differs often enough, and there's inclusions or cracks that make the stone less usable. I haven't seen Arkansas stones with lines through them, but I haven't looked hard
Jnat industry is very labor intensive and inefficient, but highly valued by the people who do use them
I wouldn't say that collectors (at least not the majority) prefer nice condition over quality results. Most would prefer the opposite. If they have the money though I'm sure they will shoot for both.
As far as the price. It really doesn't help that many of the mines that some of the most sought after stones were taken from have shut down. Which lowers the supply. Which drives up the price.
Also like anything that only has a finite supply, rarity drives up price, and in the eyes of some desirability. Just because a particular stone has a stamp from a particular mine, doesn't mean the quality will be better (unlike what some may say), but if it's a genuine stamp from a closed mine, the stone is cleanly cut, decently sized, is shown to polish well, is beautiful looking like some suita, uchigumori, and karusou and doesn't have any inclusions. Then that adds to the rarity.
Now I'm not one of the people that can afford a huge ohira renge suita that shoots a geyser of pink slurry all the way to the ceiling after one pass. But I would definitely love to own one if I could. I'm sure the results aren't proportionate to the price on them, but the market allows them to be sold for that much, then it is what it is.
Yes, and that's part of why I qualified with "prices are influenced" rather than a 1:1 correlation. I don't pretend to read the minds of JNAT collectors nor would I leave unscathed from the psychological effects of peering into such a chasm
Absolutely agree. I suspect there's also a secondary effect at work here where "normal" people cannot afford the time costs of discovering what stones are/aren't good and want some reference point. So, they optimize for exactly what you've mentioned in the belief that their learning and results will be better off without complications.
MowgFace
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Just like BNIB knives here.
That is a possibility for sure.
Ngl.. I will pay more for super pretty stones. Within reason, of course. I’ve lost the objectivity and some degree of self control, but the one thing I don’t chase is the brick sized pretty ones. That’s just gets out of hand.
