| STONE SHOP |
Dear Rockhounds
The shokunin craftsperson thrives in an atmosphere that encourages a better
product and better performance, proper sharpening stones are an integral part of the
formula. For actually shaving wood, sharper is always better. Adjust the bevel angle,
incorporate a micro-bevel, whatever, the tool has to be sharp in order to cut and the
only way to do that is with an abrasive to the steel.
If you were a student under a master, you may continue to use the same abrasives
and sharpening techniques as your teacher. The world of sharpening stones has
changed in the last 20 years with better synthetics and with the re-discovery of the
ancient natural stones of the world. Your teacher was always searching for a sharper
edge, and you are too.
I use and encourage others to use the finest product that is within their budget, and
the synthetic stones will fit the bill for most jobs up into the 10,000 to 15,000 grit
range. Beyond the 15k range it is immediately apparent that the age old struggle
between Man & Nature is still being fought, forged, and debated within the trades.
We of the last half of the 20th century were denied access to some of the old ways
and tools of our predecessors, denied by market manipulation, hope, high cost or
availability. For instance many of the old European tools were composed of bi-metal
blades or simple high carbon steel. But high speed and exotic steels took over the
market in the early 1900's and those fine old basic high carbon blades became
collectors items. In the 1970's with the craft and revival movement in the U.S. &
Europe, some of those collector planes and saws and sharpening stones were
dusted off and incorporated into the quivers of some crafty and dedicated wood
workers in the building and cabinet trades. And It wasn't long before the trend in crafts
and a general interest in Asia spilled over into the arts and crafts movement
especially on the west coast of the U.S. and amongst pockets of interested
craftspeople worldwide.
product and better performance, proper sharpening stones are an integral part of the
formula. For actually shaving wood, sharper is always better. Adjust the bevel angle,
incorporate a micro-bevel, whatever, the tool has to be sharp in order to cut and the
only way to do that is with an abrasive to the steel.
If you were a student under a master, you may continue to use the same abrasives
and sharpening techniques as your teacher. The world of sharpening stones has
changed in the last 20 years with better synthetics and with the re-discovery of the
ancient natural stones of the world. Your teacher was always searching for a sharper
edge, and you are too.
I use and encourage others to use the finest product that is within their budget, and
the synthetic stones will fit the bill for most jobs up into the 10,000 to 15,000 grit
range. Beyond the 15k range it is immediately apparent that the age old struggle
between Man & Nature is still being fought, forged, and debated within the trades.
We of the last half of the 20th century were denied access to some of the old ways
and tools of our predecessors, denied by market manipulation, hope, high cost or
availability. For instance many of the old European tools were composed of bi-metal
blades or simple high carbon steel. But high speed and exotic steels took over the
market in the early 1900's and those fine old basic high carbon blades became
collectors items. In the 1970's with the craft and revival movement in the U.S. &
Europe, some of those collector planes and saws and sharpening stones were
dusted off and incorporated into the quivers of some crafty and dedicated wood
workers in the building and cabinet trades. And It wasn't long before the trend in crafts
and a general interest in Asia spilled over into the arts and crafts movement
especially on the west coast of the U.S. and amongst pockets of interested
craftspeople worldwide.
Please forward questions, requests and or purchases to the
e-mail address below. Payment may be made with Check or
Paypal. Write to Alex at:
e-mail address below. Payment may be made with Check or
Paypal. Write to Alex at:
In those days I had a lovely set of older Marples mortise chisels and a set of
Japanese saws. Before I knew it I had bought a set of Japanese chisels and then a
few more saws. After this I was never tempted to go back to the Disston push saws
of my grandfather or the high speed steel chisels of my father. I had my share of King
red bricks and Arkansas white and black stones and I even tried to use an old
german razor hone on my tools. But in 1978 when I bought my first natural Japanese
tennen toishi-sharpening stone for my chisels and plane blades it became a new ball
game.
The selection of Japanese sharpening stones on the following pages were
amassed by me over a period of about 3 years. Each and every stone was hand
selected by me and most came from a hoard of forgotten stock in a store in a small
town int the mountains of Japan.
The tennen toishi finishing stones are better at sharpening Japanese chisels and
plane blades than any synthetic stone available. In the 20,000 to 40,000 grit range you
will spend less time honing your blades while enjoying the sharpening process
more. Each stone will be shipped to you from my shop in California by USPS Priority
mail.
Also I want you to feel that buying an expensive stone over the Internet does not
have to include "taking a chance" or on "getting a dud". My goal is for you to be happy
with your purchase. I will work with you to find a stone that suits your needs. Any
stone purchased from the website here comes with a money back guarantee of
satisfaction.
.
Japanese saws. Before I knew it I had bought a set of Japanese chisels and then a
few more saws. After this I was never tempted to go back to the Disston push saws
of my grandfather or the high speed steel chisels of my father. I had my share of King
red bricks and Arkansas white and black stones and I even tried to use an old
german razor hone on my tools. But in 1978 when I bought my first natural Japanese
tennen toishi-sharpening stone for my chisels and plane blades it became a new ball
game.
The selection of Japanese sharpening stones on the following pages were
amassed by me over a period of about 3 years. Each and every stone was hand
selected by me and most came from a hoard of forgotten stock in a store in a small
town int the mountains of Japan.
The tennen toishi finishing stones are better at sharpening Japanese chisels and
plane blades than any synthetic stone available. In the 20,000 to 40,000 grit range you
will spend less time honing your blades while enjoying the sharpening process
more. Each stone will be shipped to you from my shop in California by USPS Priority
mail.
Also I want you to feel that buying an expensive stone over the Internet does not
have to include "taking a chance" or on "getting a dud". My goal is for you to be happy
with your purchase. I will work with you to find a stone that suits your needs. Any
stone purchased from the website here comes with a money back guarantee of
satisfaction.
.