Japanese hone

blaireau · 10-03-2008, 03:17 PM

I have this Japanese hone. I bought it from an importer on the West Coast. It is a dull pea green in color with a yellowish highlight. It's a brick of a stone, very heavy. Can anyone tell me something about it?

Bruno · 10-04-2008, 01:37 PM

No.

There is an immense variety in colors, patterns and shapes in Japanese hones, even within 1 grit range or quality range, there is no way to tell without the original kanji intact.
The only other way would be to have it appraised by an expert like So Yamashi.ta or his dad.

jwoods · 10-04-2008, 03:17 PM

wow it looks like a brick for sure i need to bild a wall so if u want ill take it off your hands for free, lol kidding its tough to tell about that maybe old school will have something to say about it, or SO might if he reads the forums, dave martell over at japanese knife sharpening gave me his name as an importer of fine japanese hones as well

blaireau · 10-04-2008, 03:21 PM

Here is the link to the importer that I used:

Welcome to Hida Tool's Web Site

I have O_S looking for hone for me as we read!

Russel Baldridge · 10-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Why not hone a razor on it to see what kind of grit range it might be, that'd be a start in the right direction of figuring out what it is.

If it feels heavy for it's size, that's probably a good thing as the harder (more dense) stones are considered superior polishers (if the grit is suited to polishing).

The color isn't a sure thing with any of them, but it looks like a Narutaki (~8k) that I have.

If you give it a try and the grit seems to be in the 6k to 10k range, I'd call it a narutaki and use it as necessary. Unless you're trying to sell it, there's no real need to know for sure.

OLD_SCHOOL · 10-04-2008, 03:40 PM

It's as Bruno said, without any Kanji, the hone would need to be physically viewed and tested.

What remains of the former Kanji stamps, looks more like paint than ink. I've not yet seen a hone with painted stamps. Though it could just be my eyes playing tricks on me.

After looking at that site, I wouldn't bet my money that it's suitable as a final polisher. Well not for razors anyway.

blaireau · 10-04-2008, 04:00 PM

Here are some better pictures of what's left of the Kanji. Maybe this will help your eyes O_S

. BTW O_S, I am anxiously awaiting the beautiful Nakayama Karasu that I know you will find for me!

blaireau · 10-04-2008, 04:02 PM

OOOPS! Here are the pictures of the Kanji!

OLD_SCHOOL · 10-04-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaireau

BTW O_S, I am anxiously awaiting the beautiful Nakayama Karasu that I know you will find for me!

Patience Blaireau patience. LOL, who am I kidding, patience is not one of my virtues either.

Still looks like paint at my end, looks like the middle one is "Hon" from the word Shouhonyama. Narutaki are from Shouhonyama AKA Nakayama quarry. In rare cases they get high in grit, but still not quite a finishing hone.

Disclaimer: I am only saying it "looks like" not it is, such and such a hone, with such and such grit, finishing properties and so on.

JimmyHAD · 10-04-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaireau

I have O_S looking for hone for me as we read!

I guess the "holy grail" wasn't the end ?

blaireau · 10-04-2008, 04:24 PM

Life is a journey, the only end is THS END. I am typing this post so I'm still not at THE END!

kevint · 10-04-2008, 04:51 PM

Which size did you choose, 24 or 30? just wonderin'

well, the description says Ohira- so you can assume it was mined on the west side of Mt.Atago in the ohira mine.

The second name: Kozan; should be the name of the stratum. I don't have the familiarity with every single strata so i don't know the name specifically. The color reminds me of tomae. which is usually near the mdidle of the hardness spectrum

On So-san's site he says there are 48 strata of tomae; maybe I am smarter than I think and each tomae has a more specific name. I'd call Hida and ask them, but they may only say it is ohira-kozan.

How does it cut?

JimmyHAD · 10-04-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaireau

Life is a journey, the only end is THS END. I am typing this post so I'm still not at THE END!

Rich I hope we both last a lot longer before we get to THE END ......

Chris L · 10-04-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

Why not hone a razor on it to see what kind of grit range it might be, that'd be a start in the right direction of figuring out what it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevint

How does it cut?

+1 Please report back.

Chris L

Jimbo · 10-04-2008, 10:39 PM

Rich,

Based solely on the colouring in the photo and size/weight you mention, my guess would be a Narutaki. But, as others have said, the proof is in the pudding and it's worth as a hone can only be ascertained through use.

Even So Yama****a probably couldn't tell you what it is from just a photo, although I bet he could get close. I tried that route with one of mine and So asked me to send it to him so he could use it before passing final judgement.

James.