Testimonials
Alex
I do like the stone very much. As a very long time user of man made stones, this opens an interesting new window on sharpening.
It's obvious that I have a lot to learn. After a little more time with this stone that I have, I would like to experiment with a different one,
just to compare notes. I can tell you that the stone that I have makes it possible to see details in the blade that I have never seen
before, and the blades may be sharper than they have ever been, cool. Mike L.
It's obvious that I have a lot to learn. After a little more time with this stone that I have, I would like to experiment with a different one,
just to compare notes. I can tell you that the stone that I have makes it possible to see details in the blade that I have never seen
before, and the blades may be sharper than they have ever been, cool. Mike L.
San Mateo, California professional woodworker.
Alex loves these stones, their history, beauty, capacity for exceptional work. I know Alex through our correspondence around the
purchase of several stones, and I've come to regard him as a man deeply involved in the art of living, generous and intelligent. The
awase toishi I've bought from him are the finest I've used.
purchase of several stones, and I've come to regard him as a man deeply involved in the art of living, generous and intelligent. The
awase toishi I've bought from him are the finest I've used.
Michael M. Ellsworth, Maine professional woodworker
Hi Alex,
Thank you for the update!! 202; After a week of use, and getting the entire surface dead flat, I can say this has got to be the finest stone
in my collection. Having the surface perfectly prepared, the stone is harder, and finer, than I previously thought. The entire surface
feels exactly the same, I've never experienced that before, always there's a little variation, not on 202! The only exception is the spot of
Renge that was below the stamp in the corner....that little patch produces black like I have never seen.... it is just out of this world!! The
whole stone is actually. At $1100.00, it was more of a gift, than a purchase!! Thank you!!!!
in my collection. Having the surface perfectly prepared, the stone is harder, and finer, than I previously thought. The entire surface
feels exactly the same, I've never experienced that before, always there's a little variation, not on 202! The only exception is the spot of
Renge that was below the stamp in the corner....that little patch produces black like I have never seen.... it is just out of this world!! The
whole stone is actually. At $1100.00, it was more of a gift, than a purchase!! Thank you!!!!
Nakayama; Truthfully, I have never been a big fan of Nakayama stones, their qualities, are undeniable, but I've just never been crazy
about them, hard ones, or soft. I just don't like the way they "feel". Here again #12 is absolutely the best one I have, it's so uniform,
and creamy feeling, not hard, not soft, perfect density, extraordinary cutting power!!!
about them, hard ones, or soft. I just don't like the way they "feel". Here again #12 is absolutely the best one I have, it's so uniform,
and creamy feeling, not hard, not soft, perfect density, extraordinary cutting power!!!
It's funny, I was pretty certain (before their arrival) #205 and #219 would be staying. I tried #202 first, to get it out of the way, but once
the steel hit the stone....it was all over!:) I put water on the Nakayama's surface...... here too it was all over instantly!!! I just went; "oh
my God". It's beauty is just remarkable. I had a tough time at first with the Nakayama, my blade would stick sooooo tight. I have a
worn out Atoma 400g I keep for just such stones. After that.... ahhhhh, all three of us were very happy campers!:)
the steel hit the stone....it was all over!:) I put water on the Nakayama's surface...... here too it was all over instantly!!! I just went; "oh
my God". It's beauty is just remarkable. I had a tough time at first with the Nakayama, my blade would stick sooooo tight. I have a
worn out Atoma 400g I keep for just such stones. After that.... ahhhhh, all three of us were very happy campers!:)
If my reputation proceeds me; then you know then I can be very blunt too, I am as tight as the bark on a tree when it comes to spending
money on stones, to complicate that, I have ridiculously high expectations for a stones performance. You can quote me if you like;
"these are two of the finest stones I have ever used, or seen! Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, this transaction with you, tops my
stone buying experience".
money on stones, to complicate that, I have ridiculously high expectations for a stones performance. You can quote me if you like;
"these are two of the finest stones I have ever used, or seen! Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, this transaction with you, tops my
stone buying experience".
Always redundant; I can not thank you enough for the Awase stones. A month ago there was an army of natural stones around me
when I sharpened. Now, there's an Iyo, (about 3500g) a Tsushima, #202, #12, and a huge Okudo Tomae, for ura oshi and that's it!
I've had/have great stones, but all of them were the slightest bit off, in one way or another. As you know sharpening is all about feel, I
knew exactly the feel I wanted, but just couldn't find it...close, but not quite right. Yours are perfect in everyway!!!! Thank you!!
when I sharpened. Now, there's an Iyo, (about 3500g) a Tsushima, #202, #12, and a huge Okudo Tomae, for ura oshi and that's it!
I've had/have great stones, but all of them were the slightest bit off, in one way or another. As you know sharpening is all about feel, I
knew exactly the feel I wanted, but just couldn't find it...close, but not quite right. Yours are perfect in everyway!!!! Thank you!!
Scott N. Townshead, VT professional woodworker
