Choosing stone sizes

[Go_Japan]

Hi All,

So, I got some sample stone sizes, 32, 34, 36, and 38. I am having a dilemma and I thought I would just see what you all think. I really like how the 38 size stones look on the board. I really like them. I also think the slate stones are way to heavy and often slip out of my fingers when placing them. I have pretty small hands, slender fingers, and such. My comfort with placing the stones gradually increases from 38 to 32. the 32 size stones are obviously most comfortable for me to place, but are not as nice looking on the board.

So, I am really struggling because for me, the 38 size stones just look so much better than even the 36 size stones for me. They look so different. I am just trying to figure out if I am going to cause disasters by dropping my slate stones on the board so often that they aren't worth it. I could just compromise and get 36 or 34 size stones, of course.

So, you can understand my dilemma perhaps. Any thoughts on this issue?

[tchan001]

If you plan to play games with your stones, you should buy the size which you are most comfortable playing with.
If you plan to buy because they are so pretty, that's from a collector's point of view.
I would buy a set for playing first before buying more for a collection of cool go equipment.

[xed_over]

The first time I used Ing stones (10mm - about size 35, I think), I didn't like them. I thought they were too thick, and difficult to hold onto (I too have small-ish hands). I preferred the 8mm (about size 30), and I thought 7mm (size 28 maybe?) and thinner were way too thin.

But the more I used the thicker stones, the more I actually started to like them, even prefer them now.

If you like the thicker stones, go with those. You'll get used to them.


edit: can't type and think at the same time

[DrStraw]

If you like the thinker stones, go with those. You'll get used to them.

Is thinker a typo for thicker or thinner?

[Galation]

If you plan to play games with your stones, you should buy the size which you are most comfortable playing with.
If you plan to buy because they are so pretty, that's from a collector's point of view.

I go with tchan001.
As a big stones lover, myself, I can add from my experience that, also if you can get used to thicker stones, some of your adversaries won't.
I have been friendly complained more than once.
I knew there is a "correct", tournament size, for the stones: anyone remember it?

Galation

[tchan001]

Please also note that bigger size stones will require bigger size bowls so if you have already bought some go bowls, you should check to see what sizes stones they are made for.

[EdLee]

Hi Go_Japan,

I like Size 38 ( 10.7 mm ) -- but the opposite of your reasoning.
I like the size 38 stones not because of how the thickness looked,
but how they feel in my hand !

[tchan001]

I have pretty small hands, slender fingers, and such.

Probably the reason why it doesn't feel as nice in his hands.

[EdLee]

Hi Go_Japan,

How long have you had experience with each of the various sizes ?
As mentioned by others, your preference may change over time, in the future.

If you're still not sure which size feels best for you,
maybe you can do a 'blind' test on yourself on the various sizes.

If you want it to be even more rigorous, try it double blind.

[Go_Japan]

thank you for all the replies. I am still going to take some time to consider which size is best. I read on one of the JApanese websites talking about the size we should get, and it says it is best to buy a size 2-3 sizes bigger than what is currently comfortable. It says that as we get used to the stone, it will feel too small, so it is good to buy slightly bigger to enjoy for a much longer time period (they said, "lifetime stones").

Thanks again for all the advice. I am going to continue to play with my samples to try to get to know them. I might even try to visit a go shop, though the closest is quite far for me since I live in the country-side.

[AnarchoChossid]

I have recently ordered stones size 36 from Kuroki. When they arrived, they seemed really big: much bigger than the glass size 36 stones that I had used before, possibly because they’re fuller and more regular.

Now they seem pretty normal and even on a thin side, so I might consider getting size 38 for myself in the future. (My fingers are average-sized, I would say.) However, as people in my club complained in the past in a friendly way that even my size 36 glass stones were a little “too round” for them, I will probably use my size 36 Blue label stones to play in the club and not size 38 ones. Those might be too big for my opponents, and I want them to feel comfortable playing with me.

But my point is that yes, as you play with the stones, you get used to the size. If you live in Japan, consider getting glass stones first. I think they’re higher-quality than Korean ones and more closely approximate the shell-and-slate ones in the size and heft. Then, if you find yourself gotten used to whatever size (e.g., whatever you feel comfortable now plus two sizes), you can order the shell-and-slate ones of the right size.

[sybob]

I knew there is a "correct", tournament size, for the stones: anyone remember it?

Galation

I don't think there is a "correct" size for tournaments, or a generally accepted size for use at tournaments.
It probably also depends on the kind of tournament: a club tournament is different from an international pro tournament.
The local/club tournaments I know of, mostly use size 32 (glass).

[sybob]

Just for the record: stone size is not only a personal preference and personal custom, but may also depend on the material (glass, stone, yunzi, slate/shell, other). Each material has its own feeling.
E.g. I really like my size 32 yunzi which I regularly play. But when using my slate and shell set, I prefer size 35 stones.

[Galation]

I knew there is a "correct", tournament size, for the stones: anyone remember it?
Galation

I don't think there is a "correct" size for tournaments, or a generally accepted size for use at tournaments.
It probably also depends on the kind of tournament: a club tournament is different from an international pro tournament.
The local/club tournaments I know of, mostly use size 32 (glass).

According GoGameGuru, size 36 is the most used in pro tournaments in Korea:
https://shop.gogameguru.com/glass-go-stones-36-biconvex/
Galation

[sybob]

So, you now know I don't frequent circles like pro's and/or Korea