Life In 19x19

Hi folks. I recently bought a decent goban and I am thinking about getting some clamshell & slate stones. I have a couple of questions for the group:

• Are there any reputable sources for clamshell & slate stones besides https://kurokigoishiten.com/? They seem very good but also quite expensive.
• I’m torn between getting the premium blossom grade stones vs. the “blue” snow grade stones. Has anyone seen both? Which would you choose and why?

Thanks!

- ken

Used stones are specialty of mine, and I resell refurbished sets at the BadukClub Store.

If you're looking at buying them new, then Kurokigoishi is a great source, as is Hyuga GoBoardStone.

Ebay is another option, and at the moment there's a killer deal on ebony bowls and size 31 snow-grade stones. It wouldn't be a complete set, but it's a great price and I could sell you the replacement pieces needed.

kreppart wrote:\
[*]Are there any reputable sources for clamshell & slate stones besides https://kurokigoishiten.com/? They seem very good but also quite expensive.
[*]I’m torn between getting the premium blossom grade stones vs. the “blue” snow grade stones. Has anyone seen both? Which would you choose and why?[/list]
- ken

Heheh, yes shell stones are expensive. Rare materials, made by the hands of a vanishing type of craftsman, hand sorted to meet the highest standards of a matched set, and packaged in cool bags.
The differnces between Kuroki's shell sets are too subtle for me to tell the difference Basically, you throw money at a set of shell/slate and you never look back because you will never need another set.

baduk.club has a fabulous selection of refurbished equeipment that changes all the time.

You can also try Six Brothers in Korea for products from a different supplier of shells. You will need a good translator app. http://www.6brothers.net/product/list.html?cate_no=143 http://www.6brothers.net/product/list.html?cate_no=148

kreppart wrote:[*]Are there any reputable sources for clamshell & slate stones besides https://kurokigoishiten.com/? They seem very good but also quite expensive.

Yes, yes, and yes.

bogiesan02 wrote:Basically, you throw money at a set of shell/slate and you never look back because you will never need another set.

Yes. Except that my old Yunzi stones found new life by playing 9x9 and 13x13 with my son.

There are many sources in Japan besides Kuroki Goishiten. Here's one with an English website: http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~goban/engli ... rsion.html. Clam go stones are inherently expensive, partly because of the level of craft and skill in making them but also because the clams are threatened due to over harvesting. I would offer some advice if you are going to buy some. First, be clear as to the reputability of the supplier. Second, don't buy stones that are too thin. Thin stones are less expensive but more likely to chip on the thin edge. Some people say get the thickest stones you can afford. I would recommend not less than 8.0 mm (utility or standard grade around US$250).

Here are some other resources:

https://www.maekawa-kayagoban.co.jp/

http://6brothers.net/product/list.html?cate_no=118

https://www.miwagobanten.com/

http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~goban/engli ... rsion.html

https://en.goboard-stone.co.jp/company

There are others in Europe, Australia, and China. Just takes sometime to hunt them down.