Slate and shell stones?

[Chew Terr]

I was looking at maybe investing in some slate and shell stones. From the pictures I've seen, I think I actually prefer the irregularities of the Jitsuyo (sp?) stones. Specifically, I was looking at the discounted Kiseido ones, among a few other options. Price is definitely an issue, though of course the magical S&S words have a pretty steep starting price. My hands are huge, so it would be nice to get some of a reasonable size, to ease manipulation. Does anyone have any recommendations for price versus quality on various options, or any warnings of things to be wary of? Has anyone bought the discounted stones from Kiseido, or does anyone have a comparable alternative to recommend?

This is a fairly expensive thing, so I want to go in as educated as I can be.

Thanks!

[oren]

I have the Jitsuyo 9.2mm stones from Kiseido, and I can tell you I've been happy with them. I can't say if that's a great price or not, but you will enjoy playing games with them.

[Chew Terr]

Glad to hear it! Do you by any chance have a picture of them on a board? I was considering that size, and it w2ould be nice to see them in action.

[Actorios]

I've personnally gone for Tsuki 9.2 (size 33).
I believe there is a consensus around the "best size".
I went for Tsuki despite of the extra cost because I didn't want to regret my purchase in the long run.
But to have spent some time in front of both set, I can say that the difference is quite subtle.

THe below article helped me to make my mind:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/2613950#2613950

[tj86430]

I recently bought 9,5mm (size 34) Jitsuyo stones from Kiseido, and I'm extremely happy with both the stones and the service. One of the black stones is slightly defective (the shape isn't perfect), but it doesn't bother me at all. I like the slightly irregular patterns, but the most important thing is the feel of the stones (which, I believe, would be exactly the same with Tsuki). I don't know about the perfect size, but I really like 9,5mm.

I later completed the set with a Kaya board and Sakura bowls, also from Kiseido. I can heartily recommend.

[kirkmc]

Personally I like narrower stones. I got 8.8 mm stones from Kurokigoishiten, and I find them the right thickness for my preference.

[Chew Terr]

Thanks for all of the advice! I ended up going with the 9.5mm Jitsuyo Kiseido stones. I really like them, but I'll really get to see when I play with them on Thursday at club.

=D

[EdLee]

I have used Kiseido Yuki 33 (Snow grade 9.2mm) for a few months,
Kuroki Yuki 36 (Snow 10.1mm) for over 2 years, and
Kuroki Jitsuyo 38 (Standard 10.7mm) for almost a year.

The Size 38 (10.7mm) shell stones feel superb -- no comparison to the others.

Between the Snow and Standard, I also prefer the Standard because
the more irregular and darker grain patterns give more "character."
And the price of the Standard is substantially lower than the Snow's.

For me, the "price/performance" of Kuroki Jitsuyo 38 (Standard 10.7mm) wins completely.

Also, I always keep my slate & shell sets at home --
at a Go club, bookstore, or coffee shop, the shell stones
can easily get dropped & chipped (or lost!),
or stained by coffee, greasy foods, or otherwise dirty hands.

[bogiesan]

I have an unusual set from kurokigoishi that I got for an absurdly low price 10 years ago. The white stones have purple and brown striations; each stone is unique. current price is 33,000 yen, I believe I paid less 10,000 yen and went for the slow boat shipping. Took 38 days to arrive.

http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/english/onlineshop/outlet/images/09-12/murasaki.jpg

For me, the best go equipment is also the weirdest. I have a pair of delightfully colored odd ash bowls that I got for a song from Ye Olde Ishi Press 20 years back. No one else wanted them because of the staining from a deep fungus infestation early in the tree's life. And I have a board made in Canada made of dense purpleheart. About 1-1/2" thick, it weighs 20 pounds.


bogiesan

[EdLee]

For me, the best go equipment is also the weirdest.

I have a friend who also likes "character" in his Go equipment: chips, dents, cracks, scratches, coffee stains... the more the merrier for him.

[mic]

For me, the best go equipment is also the weirdest. I have a pair of delightfully colored odd ash bowls that I got for a song from Ye Olde Ishi Press 20 years back. No one else wanted them because of the staining from a deep fungus infestation early in the tree's life. And I have a board made in Canada made of dense purpleheart. About 1-1/2" thick, it weighs 20 pounds. bogiesan

Could you make photos of these, too? I'm curious how they look.

Michael

[bogiesan]

Could you make photos of these, too? I'm curious how they look.

Michael

I'm trying to type on a friend's phone,try this, go to YouTube, search for bogiesan, and look for my short film,"Go, a Visual Introduction." The set is my purple heart board, ash bowls,a nd purple stones.

David boise id

[sixko]

Between the Snow and Standard, I also prefer the Standard because
the more irregular and darker grain patterns give more "character."

This was my initial gut feeling of which I'd prefer, for the same reasons mostly, but that assessment was made only from reading descriptions and seeing photographs.


I read somewhere that shell stones have a tendency to yellow with age. Is this true? If so is this characteristic more pronounced in Standard grade then Snow grade stones?

Found the handy comparison photo's below at http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp. I'd probably lean towards the thinner, flatter stones, as it seems like flatter stones would make a bit more crisp or sharp picture when placed on the board. Maybe 28's or 30's - it's a tough call to make with out actually being able to see and handle them though.



In these photo's 25 is 7mm, 30 is 8mm, 35 is 9.8mm and 40 is 11.3mm

[EdLee]

it's a tough call to make with out actually being able to see and handle them though.

Yes, in my experience it took a few months to a few years to really get to know a set of stones.
My current favorite is still standard grade, size 38 (10.7mm) -- (about 9 years using various materials of stones,
including about 6 years using different slate & shell stones.)

[Mivo]

I'm one of the few people who actually don't like shell stones all that much. I don't know exactly why, but I vastly prefer agate stones (9.8mm) over the traditional materials. But then again, I also prefer bamboo over the usual woods.