Single Convex Stones?

LokBuddha · Post by **LokBuddha** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:15 am

What are your thoughts on single convex stones? I'm debating on buying the size 3 single convex yunzi vs. single convex glass stones from http://cgi.ebay.com/THEGAME-GO-FULL-SIZE-SET-GLASS-GO-STONES-RULES-/250614287270?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a59c68ba6

The problem that I am having with yunzi stones in general is that it hurts or feel scratchy to my nails. It is a very uncomfortable feeling. Glass is smooth and cool so I like that.

Also, I used single convex yunzi in one tournament play with the other person and their stones are so nice. I don't know if the biconvex yunzi that I have now is different from single convex yunzi in term of feeling scratchy.

So far YMI don't have the white single convex yunzi on sale in size 3, only the jade luster, but that seem distracting from Chiyodad's picture.

TominNJ · Post by **TominNJ** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:40 am

LokBuddha wrote:The problem that I am having with yunzi stones in general is that it hurts or feel scratchy to my nails. It is a very uncomfortable feeling.

I've never used yunzi stones but apparently they're supposed to be washed and oiled?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunzi

You might want to try that first.

LokBuddha · Post by **LokBuddha** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:11 pm

What about marble go stones? Are they nice, similar to glass? http://www.amazon.com/Marble-Single-Convex-Go-Stones/dp/B003TY1NUK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1283626874&sr=1-2

KGS 4 kyu · Post by **fwiffo** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:40 pm

I have that set of marble stones. They do not fit my Japanese size board (not even close), but they are just right for my Chinese size board. Being natural stone, they're fairly irregular, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your aesthetic preferences. They're coated in wax to seal them, so some may be stuck together when you get them (easy enough to pry apart), and you may want to buff them up a bit. They're heavy and extremely hard; I don't think they'll chip if dropped on a hard floor or something the way glass does.

deja · Post by **deja** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 3:12 pm

LokBuddha wrote:What are your thoughts on single convex stones? I'm debating on buying the size 3 single convex yunzi vs. single convex glass stones from http://cgi.ebay.com/THEGAME-GO-FULL-SIZE-SET-GLASS-GO-STONES-RULES-/250614287270?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a59c68ba6

The problem that I am having with yunzi stones in general is that it hurts or feel scratchy to my nails. It is a very uncomfortable feeling. Glass is smooth and cool so I like that.

Also, I used single convex yunzi in one tournament play with the other person and their stones are so nice. I don't know if the biconvex yunzi that I have now is different from single convex yunzi in term of feeling scratchy.

So far YMI don't have the white single convex yunzi on sale in size 3, only the jade luster, but that seem distracting from Chiyodad's picture.

Personally, I like yunzi stones for the feel and matte finish. I have both the single and double convex stones and can't tell any difference in texture. Oiling the stones will "brighten" up the black stones but have no demonstrable effect on the white stones. Yunzi stones are actually a type of glass and not a stone, so oiling them will not help preserve them as some have suggested.

It's really a matter of taste. If you're interested in yunzis, I would suggest checking out http://www.zengoban.com/ for single convex stones. You can't beat their prices, but I think the only available size they have is 4 rather than 3. Also, single convex yunzis tend to crack more often than double convex - they're thinner.

LokBuddha · Post by **LokBuddha** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:01 pm

I got the yunzi stones biconvex too. I don't like it since it feel coarse/hurt my finger tip and nail. I haven't oil them, but I doubt that would change anything. sigh.... I remembered when I was playing the single convex yunzi in the tournament, I didn't feel the coarseness. Weird.

oren · Post by **oren** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:04 pm

I like glass stones on a budget. I prefer slate and shell when the money is available. I've just never liked yunzi feel.

LokBuddha · Post by **LokBuddha** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:42 pm

I like glass too, but I don't see anywhere else for single convex glass stones except for the ebay link i gave in the first post. Are marble have the similar feel like glass (cool and smooth)?

EdLee · Post by **EdLee** » Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:13 am

LokBuddha wrote:The problem that I am having with yunzi stones in general is that it hurts or feel scratchy to my nails.
It is a very uncomfortable feeling. Glass is smooth and cool so I like that.

I agree with you on both yunzi (hurts or scratchy feel, very uncomfortable) and glass stones.
I also cannot stand any oily or slimy feeling on the stones, so any oiling is out of the question for me.

Japanese (double convex) White glass stones are smooth and cool,
while Japanese (double convex) Black glass stones have a slightly matte texture, but feel very nice --
in fact, I prefer the feel of the Japanese Black glass stones over their White ones.

However, I have used sets very similar to the one shown in your eBay link --
single convex glass stones with the thin blue (very wrinkled) plastic board --
and I really do not like those glass stones -- their diameter is too small
and their bottom is too rugged and uneven to feel "flat",
so overall they do not feel nice both when I hold them in my hands
and when I try to place one with my fingers.

Have you ever tried single convex clay stones?

Original photo here -- http://www.childgo.com/images/products/ ... 356402.jpg

As of this posting, their list price for the whole set, including the wooden bowls,
is HKD$280 = about US$36, which is very hard to beat -- the only caveat
is maybe they won't ship so the purchase must be in person. :sad:

What is your budget? The eBay set is US$25.

LokBuddha · Post by **LokBuddha** » Sun Sep 05, 2010 6:11 am

My budget is a little above 50$. I never know clay stones!!! From the picture, it looks nice. How does clay stones compare to the look and feel of glass? I don't want yunzi coarseness anymore. Yunzi are nice but use often it hurts.

On the side notes, what is the difference between 10mm japanese glass stones and the 10 mm korean glass stones? Where should I buy it from? Yutopian or Kiseido. I used the 7mm glass stones (I think it's korean) from Samarkand a long time ago, and they feel really nice on my fingers.

I guess I am going biconvex since single convex doesn't have anything offering.

palapiku · Post by **palapiku** » Sun Sep 05, 2010 8:37 am

Clay is just like Yunzi but lower quality. It feels the same but doesn't look as nice.

tchan001 · Post by **tchan001** » Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:24 am

Childgo seems to be the go school kghin goes to.
http://www.childgo.com/images/index/16th.jpg

EdLee · Post by **EdLee** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:05 am

palapiku wrote:Clay is just like Yunzi but lower quality. It feels the same but doesn't look as nice.

I have a different experience: clay stones (shown in photo) both look and feel much better than yunzi.

EdLee · Post by **EdLee** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:11 am

LokBuddha wrote:what is the difference between 10mm japanese glass stones and the 10 mm korean glass stones? Where should I buy it from? Yutopian or Kiseido. I used the 7mm glass stones (I think it's korean) from Samarkand a long time ago, and they feel really nice on my fingers.

Japanese 10 mm glass stones are higher quality than the Korean ones --
more uniform thickness and shape. I bought from Kiseido.

TominNJ · Post by **TominNJ** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:58 am

At least you folks can buy your stones. When I was your age, we had to make our own. Out of hot lava. With our bare hands.

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