Sharpening Supplies

Hitohira sources a large variety of high quality stones, offering you a wide range of price points, uses, and skill levels. Not only does Hitohira provide classic Kyoto-based stones, they also procure stones that originate from all over Japan, giving you a opportunity to use some less common stones. So whether you're getting your very first natural stone, or are searching for that perfect piece to round-out a progression, Hitohira likely has you covered.

Most stones are graded by their in-house polisher, but are otherwise graded by Strata.

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Producing Area: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture - Japan
Mine: Nakayama 
Strata/um: 
Appearance: What may seem initially unremarkable, in fact contains some stellar renge patches intermixed with beautiful, deep yake when wet.
Size: 206mm x 82mm x 25mm
Weight: 918g
Est. Grit: 6000-8000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 4.5
Scratch Depth: 1.5
Speed: 3.5
Wear Rate: 4.5
Self Slurry: 1.5
Thirst: 2
Consistency: 4.5
Feedback: 2
Ease of Use: 3

Recommended Uses: Very keen edges; ura; glossy kasumi; microbevels; push-cut tools; razors

Notes: This is a "very" stone — very fast for its hardness; very fine scratch pattern that yields very bright and even kasumi, very consistent feedback, very keen results on edges and ideal for push cut tools and razors. It's great to see newly mined Nakayama stones hit the market every now and then. The only note would be that since it's hard, you will need to be mindful of your pressure. Using a nagura or forcing a slurry can help a lot in adding "cushion" between the blade and the stone.

Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all graded characteristics are our own subjective thoughts which may vary from your expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous, random example, or when first measured before being tested numerous times. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities.

Hitohira sources a large variety of high quality stones, offering you a wide range of price points, uses, and skill levels. Not only does Hitohira provide classic Kyoto-based stones, they also procure stones that originate from all over Japan, giving you a opportunity to use some less common stones. So whether you're getting your very first natural stone, or are searching for that perfect piece to round-out a progression, Hitohira likely has you covered.

Most stones are graded by their in-house polisher, but are otherwise graded by Strata.

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Producing Area: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture - Japan
Mine: Okunomon
Strata: Tomae?
Appearance: Asagi surface when dry, but nice scattering and zones of Ao and Aka Renge with some purple and red splotches when wet
Size: 204mm x 76.6mm x 38.9mm
Weight: 1394g
Grit Range: 3000-5000

HITOHIRA'S GRADING
1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness: 3.7
Grain Scale: 3
Sharpening Speed: 3.9

Recommended Usage: Kitchen knife (edge); kitchen knife (bevel); Hagane polish; Chisel, plane.

Notes: Very strong grinding power. Manageable hardness. Easy to use.

Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all graded characteristics are our own subjective thoughts which may vary from your expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous, random example, or when first measured before being tested numerous times. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities.

Brand: Imanishi 今西製砥
Product Type: Flattening Stone
Size: 208 x 68 x 33mm
Weight: 847g

For all of your stone flattening needs!

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

Kasumi Powder for finishing and restoration.

Brand: Komon
Weight: 50g

Bring your kitchen knives back to life with Kasumi Polishing Powder.

This easy-to-use powder transforms into a smooth paste when mixed with water, gently polishing your blades to a beautiful Kasumi finish. The included sponge ensures effortless application and even coverage. Restore and bring back the Beauty of your Kasumi finished kitchen knives, refresh and protect your knives from wear—all in one simple step.

Originally used in Sakai, the heartland of Japan's professional knife sharpening tradition, this Kasumi powder has been specially formulated by Ivan Gomez Fonseca for enhanced ease of use.

How to make a basic Kasumi finish

1. Add water to KASUMI Powder in a separate container until it reaches a toothpaste-like consistency.
2. Protect areas not intended for the Kasumi finish with electrical tape.

3. Gently rub the paste over the blade with a fine sponge until desired finish, rinse thoroughly with water.

Fine powder of Suita stones. Ideal for fine-tune polishing. Can be applied with numerous applicators like a cotton ball, rag, cork, felt, balsa wood, etc. Water is needed to apply. May require further powderizing of any potential slightly larger bits. Mid-range fineness for a natural stone powder. 

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

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

"Base" series; Does NOT include base

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

Grit: #10000
Case Length: 240mm
Case Width: 80mm
Case Height: 35mm
Stone Length: 210mm
Stone Width: 70mm
Stone Height: 15mm
Total Weight: 713g
Nagura Included: No

Brand: Naniwa ナニワ研磨工業
Stone Length: 270mm
Stone Width: 70mm
Stone Height: 10mm
#1000 Grit Stone Weight: 315g
#3000 Grit Stone Weight: 297g

Soaking Requirement: Several minutes

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

Brand: Naniwa ナニワ研磨工業
Stone Length: 185mm
Stone Width: 65mm
Stone Height: 16.5mm

Soaking Requirement: 10-15 min

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

Brand: Naniwa ナニワ研磨工業
Stone Length: 210mm
Stone Width: 70mm
Stone Height: 10mm
 

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

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

One of our most trusted sources handpicks these stones from the famed Imanishi in Kyoto for us, spending hours testing dozens and dozens and selecting only the best of the best at a variety of price points. These tennen toishi represent some of the best value you will find on the market for natural stones.

These stones are so impressive that they often make you feel like you are "cheating", so to speak - they provide outstanding results at a speed seemingly found only in stones that cost many times more, all while being fun and easy to use - they make it seem as if you have learned years of polishing in a matter of minutes. Combining these gems with the correct steel, you will come to understand the beautiful harmony skilled polishers sometimes have difficulty describing - working on natural stones with well-made knives truly ties the whole subject together.

We are proud to provide such wonderful pieces to you!

Brand: Ivan's Personal Collection
Producing Area: Kyoto 
Mine: Hideriyama
Appearance: Asagi green with streaks of Namazu
Size: 2,567g
Weight: 238mm x 75mm x 73mm
~Grit Range: 3000-5000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 2.5
Scratch Depth: 2.5
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 3
Self Slurry: 4
Thirst: 3.5
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 3
Ease of Use: 4

Notes: An extremely rare vintage Hideriyama, especially in this large format. A true pleasure to use — it offers silky feedback with a slurry that develops quickly and yields an exceptionally consistent scratch pattern. The resulting kasumi finish is warm and rich and can be achieved with ease and speed. Depending on your approach, you can stop early for a hazy-to-frosty kasumi, or continue on in your polishing sequence for a brighter finish.

Thanks to its generous surface area and substantial thickness, this stone will provide years of use. However, as it’s not particularly hard (though not overly soft either), it’s important to work the surface evenly to avoid localized dishing. It’s likely too soft for push-cut tools, but perfect for wide bevel polishing, even convex grinds.

This is an outstanding stone for collectors due to its rarity, quality, and vintage provenance. While best suited for intermediate to advanced users, its forgiving nature also makes it accessible to mindful beginners.

Recommended Usage: Hazy to frost kasumi, pre or pre pre polisher, convex grinds, refined but textured edges.

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all graded characteristics are our own subjective thoughts which may vary from your expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous, random example, or when first measured before being tested numerous times. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. All stone sales are final.