Yet another personal preference call. Taste.oren wrote:I think Ed's preference for big stones is a bit odd, 8 mm is fine.
My learning curve/experience:
(All dates approx.)Current favorite remains the same as Cho Chikun's: Size 38 (10.7 mm). YMMV. 
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2002 Fall. Korean 8 mm glass stones, 0.5" shinkaya Japanese folding board
2004 Dec. 57 mm Japanese shinkaya table board
2004 since ING (9 mm?) plastic tourney stones, weighted inside.
Like: weight, uniformity, robustness. Dislike: "dirty" white color.
2005 Fall. Thin, single-convex Chinese clay stones. Like the solid snappy placement.
2006 Dec. Size 33 (9.2 mm) Japanese Snow Grade slate & clam (non-Kuroki).
Very pretty, but quickly found out a bit too thin.
Theorized that perhaps Size 36 (10.1 mm) would be "ideal".
Around now, heard that Cho Chikun's favorite was Size 38 (10.7 mm) --
did not understand why he would want such "thick" stones.
2007 Mar. Kuroki Size 36 (10.1 mm) Snow Grade.
Huge improvement over Size 33 (9.2 mm).
But soon, found out Size 36 still too thin.
Began to understand Mr. Cho's preference.
2007 Apr. Kuroki SAMPLES Snow Grade: Sizes 33, 34, 35, 36.
Confirmed that Size 36 (10.1 mm) still too thin.
From Mr. Kuroki: their most popular Snow Grade sizes: 34 (9.5 mm) and 35 (9.8 mm).
2008 Nov. 10 mm Japanese glass stones. OK.
In use for weekly Go club evening since. (Retired 8 mm Korean glass stones.)
2009 Aug. Kuroki Standard Grade Size 38 (10.7 mm). Perfect.
Completely agree with Cho Chikun's preference.
2011 Thin, single-convex Chinese clay stones (different manufacturer). Unusable.
