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Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Made in: Sakai, Osaka - Japan
Smith: Kenji Togashi 富樫
Sharpener: Kenya Togashi (憲哉)
Line: Mizu Honyaki
Profile: Yanagiba Sakimaru
Edge Length: 300mm
Blade Height: 35.5mm
Edge Steel: Shirogami #1/White #1 
Steel Type: Carbon
Construction: Honyaki
Cladding: N/A
Finish: Mirror Polished
Bevel: Single
Bevel Symmetry: 0/100
Hand Orientation: Right-Handed
Handle Shape: Wa 
Handle Material: Ebony
Ferrule/Bolster Material: Buffalo Horn
Total Length: 457mm
Spine Length: 315mm
Thickness of Spine at Handle: 3.4mm
Thickness ½ way: 2.4mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 1mm
Handle Length: 148mm
Weight: 262g
Saya/Guard: Yes, saya included

Please note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Individual items may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

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: 4.5
Scratch Depth: 2
Speed: 3.5
Wear Rate: 1.5
Self Slurry: 1.5
Thirst: 2
Ease of Use: 3

Notes: A lovely stone and affordable stone. While it is on the harder side on paper, it was actually difficult (ie we had to intentionally try) to get the stone to scratch our test Kiridashi. The feedback was tackier than expected given its hardness, providing more feedback and reducing the chances of slipping that can occur with harder stones. Again despite its hardness, it is rather fast and creates black slurry after 10-20 seconds. It provides a brighter Kasumi with relative ease, we're rather impressed. For the price it is a good choice for both beginners and intermediate users despite its hardness. Its dimensions and hardness will make it last many years.

Recommended Usage: Keen edges, polishing for frosty to bright Kasumi on wide bevels. Very good for push-cut tools.

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: Sakai Kikumori 堺菊守
Smith: Satoshi Nakagawa 中川
Made in: Sakai, Osaka - Japan
Line: Nakagawa VG10 Damascus
Profile: Kiritsuke Yanagiba
Edge Length: 265mm
Blade Height: 34.5mm
Edge Steel: VG10
Steel Type: Stainless
Grind: Right-Handed Single Bevel
Construction: Awase, Ni-Mai
Cladding: Stainless Damascus
Finish: Damascus
Bevel: Single
Bevel Symmetry: 0/100
Hand Orientation: Right-Handed
Handle Shape: Oval Octagonal
Handle Material: Magnolia Wood
Ferrule/Bolster Material: Buffalo Horn
Total Length: 417mm
Spine Length: 277mm
Thickness of Spine at Handle: 4.5mm
Thickness ½ way: 3.2mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 1mm
Handle Length: 140mm
Weight: 194g
Saya/Guard: Sold Seperately

Please note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Individual knives may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Brand: Sakai Kikumori 堺菊守
Smith: Satoshi Nakagawa 中川
Made in: Sakai, Osaka - Japan
Line: Nakagawa VG10 Damascus
Profile: Kiritsuke Yanagiba
Edge Length: 265mm
Blade Height: 34.5mm
Edge Steel: VG10
Steel Type: Stainless
Grind: Right-Handed Single Bevel
Construction: Awase, Ni-Mai
Cladding: Stainless Damascus
Finish: Damascus
Bevel: Single
Bevel Symmetry: 0/100
Hand Orientation: Right-Handed
Handle Shape: Oval Octagonal
Handle Material: Magnolia Wood
Ferrule/Bolster Material: Buffalo Horn
Total Length: 417mm
Spine Length: 277mm
Thickness of Spine at Handle: 4.5mm
Thickness ½ way: 3.2mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 1mm
Handle Length: 140mm
Weight: 194g
Saya/Guard: Sold Seperately

Please note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Individual knives may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Can hold 300mm knives without their saya on, can fit shorter sizes with saya on.

Overall Internal Dimensions: 415mm x 70mm x 35mm

Please Note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Your specific product may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Made in: Seki-Gifu/ Japan
Line: FJ SG2 Mirror
Profile: Bunka
Edge Length: 179mm
Blade Height: 47mm
Edge Steel: SG2 Powder Metal
Steel Type: Stainless
Grind: Convex
Construction: Awase Clad
Cladding: Stainless
Finish: Mirror
Bevel: Double
Bevel Symmetry: 50/50
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Handle Shape: Western
Handle Material: Linen Micarta
Ferrule/Bolster Material: Stainless Steel
Total Length: 296mm
Spine Length: 173mm
Thickness of Spine at Handle: 1.8mm
Thickness ½ way: 1.8mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 0.9mm
Handle Length: 120mm
Weight: 173g
Saya/Guard: Purchased Separately

Please note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Individual knives may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Brand: Morihei 森平 
Made in: Tokyo - Japan
Line: Hisamoto Stainless Clad
Profile: Gyuto
Edge Length: 213mm
Blade Height: 50mm
Edge Steel: Shirogami #1/White #1
Steel Type: Carbon
Construction: Awase/Clad
Cladding: Soft Stainless
Finish: Tsuchime, Migaki
Bevel: Double
Bevel Symmetry: 50:50
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Handle: Pakka Western
Total Length: 340mm
Spine Length: 214mm
Thickness of Spine at Handle: 3mm
Thickness ½ way: 2.2mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 1.4mm
Handle Length: 125mm
Weight: 220g
Saya/Guard: Purchased Separately

Please Note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Your specific product may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Brand: Sakai Kikumori 堺菊守
Made in: Sakai, Osaka - Japan
Line: Nakagawa VG10
Profile: Kiritsuke Yanagiba
Edge Length: 289mm
Blade Height: 40.5mm
Edge Steel: VG10
Steel Type: Stainless
Construction: Awase Ni-Mai
Cladding: Soft Stainless
Finish: Damascus
Bevel: Single
Bevel Symmetry: 0:100
Hand Orientation: Right-Handed
Handle: Magnolia Wood 
Total Length: 458mm
Spine Length: 305mm
Thickness of Spine at Handle: 4.3mm
Thickness ½ way: 2.7mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 1.8mm
Handle Length: 146mm
Weight: 204g
Saya/Guard: Purchased Separately

Please note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Individual knives may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area:  Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: Certainly a base of blue, hence the name "Ao"-to, "blue" stone. These softer versions tend to have a tint of red/brown to them, a decent indication of their softness level.
Size: 175mm x 52mm 54mm
Weight: 1031g
Grit Range: ~2000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 2
Scratch Depth: 4
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 3.5
Self Slurry: 4.5
Thirst: 3
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 4
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Early/mid polishing sequence, hazy Kasumi, textured edges with solid bite.

Notes: This is slightly coarser and softer vs. its finer and harder Aoto sibling. These softer versions will be faster cutting, create more slurry, leave slightly deeper scratches, create darker/hazier Kasumi, and would be used earlier in a polishing progression. Softer stones tend to be easier to use as they are more "forgiving" than harder stones, thus easier to learn on. These are "true" Aoto of quality, consistency, and provenance. Given their price they are an awesome way to get involved with natural stones. 

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 may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance, weights and measures, and qualities. Stamps may be different or not present, especially if it has been tested.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area:  Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: Certainly a base of blue, hence the name "Ao"-to, "blue" stone. These softer versions tend to have a tint of red/brown to them, a decent indication of their softness level.
Size: 205mm x 57mm x 55mm
Weight: 1430g
Grit Range: ~2000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 2
Scratch Depth: 4
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 3.5
Self Slurry: 4.5
Thirst: 3
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 4
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Early/mid polishing sequence, hazy Kasumi, textured edges with solid bite.

Notes: This is slightly coarser and softer vs. its finer and harder Aoto sibling. These softer versions will be faster cutting, create more slurry, have deeper scratches, create darker/hazier Kasumi, and would be used earlier in a polishing progression. Softer stones tend to be easier to use as they are more "forgiving" than harder stones, thus easier to learn on. These are "true" Aoto of quality, consistency, and provenance. Given their price they are an awesome way to get involved with natural stones.  

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 may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance, weights and measures, and qualities. Stamps may be different or not present, especially if it has been tested.

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Producing Area: Sakai-Osaka, Japan
Smith: Kikuchiyo 菊千代
Sharpener: Kambei 勘兵衛
Profile: Yanagi Sakimaru
Edge Steel: Honyaki White #2 (Shirogami)
Steel Type: Carbon 
Bevel: Single
Hand Orientation: Right
Handle: Ziricote & Blonde Buffalo Horn Ferrule Octagonal
Total Length: 444mm
Edge Length: 291mm
Spine Length: 307mm
Blade Height: 34mm
Thickness at Spine: 4.1mm
Thickness ½ way: 3.1mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 2.3mm
Handle Length: 146mm
Weight: 230g
Saya: Included

Kambei's first ever etched Fuji Mizu Honyaki... The Hamon depicts a hazy and swirly sky (thanks to pronounced banding exposed from the etchant) with Mt. Fuji and a crescent moon in the background against a mirror polished ocean in the foreground. 

Please Note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Your specific product may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Brand: Sakai Kikumori 堺菊守
Line: Ginsan  銀三
Profile: Kamagata Usuba
Edge Steel: Ginsanko (Silver #3)
Steel Type: Stainless
Cladding: Stainless
Bevel: Single
Hand Orientation: Right Handed
Handle: Ho Wood Wa
Total Length: 314mm
Edge Length: 165mm
Spine Length: 180mm
Blade Height: 42mm
Thickness at Spine: 3.1mm
Thickness ½ way: 2.9mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 1.5mm
Handle Length: 133mm
Weight: 157g

Please Note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Your specific product may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.