Natural Stones

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 2.5
Scratch Depth: 4
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 2.5
Self Slurry: 3.5
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Uses: Lighter repairs and bevel setting, toothy edges, very hazy kasumi, first or second stone in a polishing sequence. 

Notes: Amakusa tend to have a poor reputation because they are inexpensive and sometimes inconsistent if poor quality (no surprise there). But we have found quality options that are sourced from trustworthy suppliers to be actually quite good, and an awesome option for beginners. Their price and availability are a plus, but they are also efficient and easy to use. They have decent shaping power, and their wear rate is not too extreme. They are slightly tighter and finer than other coarse stones such as Omura or Akamatsu. If you finished off of it, you would have an aggressive toothy edge, or a very hazy Kasumi on bevels. Also good as an earlier stone in a polishing progression. 

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described are an example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. Dimensions, weight, and stamps may be different from listed if it has been tested.

*Special selection Uchigumori*

Recommended Usage: Final polisher, pre polisher, sword sequence, push cut tools, edges, microbevels.

Notes: An extremely fast, easy to use, versatile, flawless, premium select piece; one of the nicest stones we've carried. This is one of those stones that make you feel like you're cheating since it makes things so easy. Even a novice polisher can use this to outstanding results. Sealed in cashew lacquer. Will last a lifetime.

Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. Dimensions, weight, and stamps may be different from listed if it has been tested. 

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Dimensions: 220mm x 82mm x 45mm
Weight: 1573g

Notes: Really nice specimen from the famous Mikawa mine in Aichi Prefecture via the famous Tanaka Toishi brand. They are firm to hard, and quality specimens are fast and give good polishing results. Generally easy to use depending on the hardness.

Suggested Use: pre or final polisher for knives and push-cut tools.

Background Info: Nagura is made of lithified tuff, which is silica-rich stratified volcanic ash that has been compacted into a solid over many, many years. They contain very fine particles of silica (and other  which are often more friable than other sedimentary stones, and thus are ideal for polishing. They are used as one of the last stones before Uchigumori in a traditional sword polishing sequence. The word "Nagura" is the named after the individual who discovered the utility of the lithified tuff as a whetstone, Sakon Nagura, over 700 years ago.

Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. Dimensions, weight, and stamps may be different from listed if it has been tested.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Dimensions: 225mm x 86mm x 44mm
Weight: 1615g

Notes: Really nice specimen from the famous Mikawa mine in Aichi Prefecture via the famous Tanaka Toishi brand. They are firm to hard, and quality specimens are fast and give good polishing results. Generally easy to use depending on the hardness.

Suggested Use: pre or final polisher for knives and push-cut tools.

Background Info: Nagura is made of lithified tuff, which is silica-rich stratified volcanic ash that has been compacted into a solid over many, many years. They contain very fine particles of silica (and other  which are often more friable than other sedimentary stones, and thus are ideal for polishing. They are used as one of the last stones before Uchigumori in a traditional sword polishing sequence. The word "Nagura" is the named after the individual who discovered the utility of the lithified tuff as a whetstone, Sakon Nagura, over 700 years ago.

Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. Dimensions, weight, and stamps may be different from listed if it has been tested.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Producing Area: Kyoto, Osaka - Japan
Mine: Yaginoshima
Appearance: Classic grey/blue Mizu with lots of teeny tiny Goma
Size: 209mm x 76mm x 40mm (type 40)
Weight: 1567g
Grit Range: 4000-6000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 4
Scratch Depth: 2
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 1.5
Self Slurry: 3
Thirst: 2.5
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Refined edges, polishing for frosty to bright Kasumi on wide bevels. Hard enough for tools.

Notes: A lovely stone! While it is on the harder side on paper, I actually couldn't get the stone to scratch my test Kiridashi. That, aned given its speed, this stone is actually quite easy to use and will produce a dark slurry within seconds. For the price, it is a lovey choice for both beginners and intermediate users. 

Recommended Usage: Quick, easy Kasumi and polishing on wide bevels, and some pushcut tools. Textured, but keen edges.

Notes: We have fallen in love with these somewhat lesser known Umajiyama stones. They are incredibly easy to use and relatively affordable, and can be found in smaller sizes like this type 60. They have nice, grippy feedback at first, and then start to self slurry quickly, leading to smoother, silky feedback. They are surprisingly fast and make nice hazy to frosty kasumi. You could finish off of that level of Kasumi, or use it as a mid to end stone before your pre or final polishing stone for something brighter. The slurry can be reused for powder work, as well. We recommend these for beginners and advanced users.