Natural Stones

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 3
Scratch Depth: 3.5
Speed: 3.5
Wear Rate: 3
Self Slurry: 2
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Uses: Very light repairs, light bevel adjustments, early stone in polishing progression, toothy edges, very hazy Kasumi

Notes: A well known stone that is often used as an early stone in polishing progressions on wide bevels. These Binsui are best for knives, not swords, though. Binsui are slightly harder and finer than Amakusa, and are better served with a forced slurry. Reduce pressure and dilute the Togidoro to refine the toothy edge it will provide. 

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.

Brand: Morihei 森平
Producing Area: Kyoto - Japan
Strata: Akapin
Mine: N.A.
Appearance: It is primarily sandstone, and looks just like a brick of sand. Very clean.
Size: 225mm x 62mm x 68mm
Weight: 2130g
Grit Range: 300-800

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

Recommended Uses: Repairs, bevel setting, first stone in a polishing progression.

Notes: This is a very coarse stone that feels harder than you would expect, but does have fast wear. It wear rate makes it very aggressive, and is best used for when doing repairs or setting bevels, although it can be used as the first stone in an extensive polishing sequence. Use it in place of an Omura.

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.

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.

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. Dimensions and weight may change slightly as from listed if it has been tested.

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 3
Scratch Depth: 3.5
Speed: 3.5
Wear Rate: 3
Self Slurry: 2
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Uses: Very light repairs, light bevel adjustments, early stone in polishing progression, toothy edges, very hazy Kasumi

Notes: A well known stone that is often used as an early stone in polishing progressions on wide bevels. These Binsui are best for knives, not swords, though. Binsui are slightly harder and finer than Amakusa, and are better served with a forced slurry. Reduce pressure and dilute the Togidoro to refine the toothy edge it will provide. 

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. Dimensions and weight may change slightly as from listed if it has been tested.

Brand: Morihei 森平
Dimensions: 219mm x 78mm x 40mm
Weight: 1394g

Gorgeous Shima (stripped) Botan Nagura from the famous Mikawa mine in Aichi Prefecture. Difficult to find this size and purity. On the harder side. Very fast scratch removal, consistent scratch marks, good polishing with an added nagura, and some sweet edges. Fine specimen.

Brand: Morihei 森平
Appearance: Classic Natsuya figuring
Size: 210mm x 80mm x 62mm
Weight: 2487g
Grit Range: 2000-4000
1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 2.5
Scratch Depth: 2
Speed: 3
Wear Rate: 2
Self Slurry: 2
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Mid grit polishing sequence, frosty kasumi, textured but refined edges, sharpening push-cut tools.

Notes: Natsuya have seen a huge explosion in popularity, largely do to their relative ease of use and availability. They are often cut large, so ideal for longer knives like Yanagiba or large Gyuto. They are firm but not at all hard. Their grit range makes them useful for both edges or quick Kasumi. Easy enough for beginners and novices. Large hard firm enough for large planes or chisels. They are also very beautiful.

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.