Sharpening Supplies

Brand: HI-CONDITION ハイコンディション
Producing Area: Tokyo/ Japan
Size: 10"L x 2"W x 1"D
Weight: 350g

Really high quality, bare hard felt strop on a firm base so it has no give.

Felt strops will be slightly more efficient at cleaning up edges post sharpening/maintaining than leather, and you could certainly finish off of them. Ideal for softer western knives, butcher knives, and other higher-volume knives.

Use only an edge-trailing/draw stroke. Can be loaded with micron abrasive pastes or sprays. Clean periodically with a slightly damp rag, allow to dry before using.

Brand: HI-CONDITION ハイコンディション
Producing Area: Tokyo/ Japan
Size: 10"L x 2"W x 1"D
Weight: 399g

Really high quality, bare leather felt strop on a firm base so it has no give.

Leather strops will be slightly better at finishing edges post sharpening/maintenance (or as a stand alone tool) than felt strops. Leather strops work on an array of knives, and are especially ideal for Japanese knives and other fine blades.

Use only an edge-trailing/draw stroke. Can be loaded with micron abrasive pastes or sprays. Clean periodically with a slightly damp rag, allow to dry before using.

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら
Product Type: Finger Stone
Size: 100g
Mine: Narutaki
Producing Area: Kyoto/ Japan
Soaking Requirement: Not required
Weight: 100g 

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら
Product Type: Finger Stone
Mine: Mizukihara
Producing Area: Kyoto/ Japan
Layer: Uchigumori
Soaking Requirement: Not required
Weight: 100g 

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.

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: Komon-picked Imanishi
Producing Area: Kyoto - Japan
Mine: Hideriyama
Appearance: Classic Hideriyama Asagi with faint Kan and red hues visible when wet
Size: 194mm x 69mm x 29mm
Weight: 911g
~Grit Range: 4000-6000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 2.5
Scratch Depth: 1.5
Speed: 3.5
Wear Rate: 2
Self Slurry: 4
Thirst: 3
Consistency: 4
Feedback: 2
Ease of Use: 4

Notes: A classic representation of quality Hideriyama - mid-grit that you can work the slurry easily into lower high-grits; smooth, very consistent almost silky feedback; fast with dark slurry showing immediately; firm but on the softer side; and easy to use. A very high quality specimen for the cost and an ideal option for those getting into natural stones given its ease of use - just avoid gouging the surface. The lines cannot be felt and are not toxic.

Recommended Usage: Frosty Kasumi; mid+ step in polishing sequence; general wide bevel work, just firm enough for push cut tools; refined edges with the slightest bit of bite.

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.

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: Komon-picked Imanishi
Producing Area: Kyoto - Japan
Strata: Suita
Appearance: Stunning white and light-gray surface with some small Aka Renge. A large number of visible Su. Some, only one can be very faintly felt but has no negative effects.
Size: 212mm x 80mm x 40mm
Weight: 1614g
~Grit Range: 4000-6000+

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 2.5
Scratch Depth: 2
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 2
Self Slurry: 3.5
Thirst: 2.5
Consistency: 4
Feedback: 2
Ease of Use: 4

Notes: A beautiful stone both aesthetically and for polishing results - great coloring effects, leaves a soft transition at the cladding line. A very consistent, easy to use, and very, very fast stone. A very fine black slurry forms pretty much immediately, and a gray slurry when working the whitter spots, and working the slurry further creates an incredibly smooth feedback. Scratches are incredibly uniform and pretty shallow. You could finish on this for a frosty kasumi, or has a really fast pre polisher for something brighter. Pretty much an ideal stone for wide bevels. It feels almost pillowy-soft and has a slightly chalky feedback almost akin to working a Nagura, in fact you could largely substitute one for another. Given its ease of use intermediate users could quickly benefit, but you would certainly find this in a professional polishers arsenal.

Recommended Usage: Pre-polishing, final polish, super refined edges. Could be used for push cuts if used with light pressure. 

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.

Brand: Morihei 森平
Mine: Natsuya
Appearance: Classic Natsuya figuring
Size: 210mm x 82mm x 63mm
Weight: 2417g
Grit Range: 2000-4000
1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 3
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 wide bevel knives and planes. 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 and 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. 

Special selection Uchigumori 

This "museum grade" gem was hand selected for us by the owner of Morihei. It is expensive, it is rare, it is absolutely worth it.

Brand: Morihei 森平
Producing Area: Kyoto - Japan
Appearance: Pristine, classic high-grade Uchigumori pale purple with numerous aka renge. Sealed in cashew lacquer.
Size: 213mm x 80mm x 36mm
Weight: 1428g
Grit Range: 3000-6000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 4
Scratch Depth: 2
Speed: 5
Wear Rate: 1.5
Self Slurry: 2
Thirst: 1.5
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 2
Ease of Use: 4.5

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.

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.

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.

Nagura

Nagura are very helpful in both increasing the efficiency of metal removal by adding grit on top of the stone, but also in creating unique, multi-grit slurry combinations important for polishing purposes. They can also be used to condition the surface of the sharpening stone after using a flattening plate.

Brand: NSK
Length: 40mm
Width: 18mm
Height: 15mm
Weight: 18g
Grit Range: #400

Nagura

Nagura are very helpful in both increasing the efficiency of metal removal by adding grit on top of the stone, but also in creating unique, multi-grit slurry combinations important for polishing purposes. They can also be used to condition the surface of the sharpening stone after using a flattening plate or after extended periods of sharpening to remove particulate.

Brand: NSK Kogyo Ltd.
Length: 40mm
Width:18mm
Height:15mm
Weight: 18g
Grit Range: #12000

Flattening Stones

Although all NSK stones are very wear resistant, these flattening/dressing stones are specifically formulated to counter the wear resistance and flatten at an impressive speed. They also work very well on natural stones as well, and the higher grit flattening plates will leave a scratch-free surface unlike many other diamond plates. The flattening stones are slotted to eliminate suction when rubbing against the sharpening stone.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, as long as you condition the surface of the sharpening stone with a higher grit flattening plate before use in order to prevent overly-aggressive surface. Each grit of the flattening stones can be used on several different grits, so there is no need to get every single flattening grit for each corresponding grits of NSK sharpening stone you may have; see recommended grit ranges for each flattening stone below.

Flattening grits: 200, 400, 600, 1000, 3000, 6000

Recommended Use: Flattening grits from 200-1000 can be used on All NSK sharpening stones up to 1500 grit. All NSK sharpening stones with grits above 1000 should ideally be flattened with a grit as close to the stone's grit as possible. For example, a 3000 grit sharpening stone should be flattened with grits 3000 and above.

Brand: NSK Kogyo Ltd.
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 17mm
Weight: 468g
Grit Range: #1000

Flattening Stones

Although all NSK stones are very wear resistant, these flattening/dressing stones are specifically formulated to counter the wear resistance and flatten at an impressive speed. They also work very well on natural stones as well, and the higher grit flattening plates will leave a scratch-free surface unlike many other diamond plates. The flattening stones are slotted to eliminate suction when rubbing against the sharpening stone.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, as long as you condition the surface of the sharpening stone with a higher grit flattening plate before use in order to prevent overly-aggressive surface. Each grit of the flattening stones can be used on several different grits, so there is no need to get every single flattening grit for each corresponding grits of NSK sharpening stone you may have; see recommended grit ranges for each flattening stone below.

Flattening grits: 200, 400, 600, 1000, 3000, 6000

Recommended Use: Flattening grits from 200-1000 can be used on All NSK sharpening stones up to 1500 grit. All NSK sharpening stones with grits above 1000 should ideally be flattened with a grit as close to the stone's grit as possible. For example, a 3000 grit sharpening stone should be flattened with grits 3000 and above.

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 17mm
Weight: 519g
Grit Range: #200

Flattening Stones

Although all NSK stones are very wear resistant, these flattening/dressing stones are specifically formulated to counter the wear resistance and flatten at an impressive speed. They also work very well on natural stones as well, and the higher grit flattening plates will leave a scratch-free surface unlike many other diamond plates. The flattening stones are slotted to eliminate suction when rubbing against the sharpening stone.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, as long as you condition the surface of the sharpening stone with a higher grit flattening plate before use in order to prevent overly-aggressive surface. Each grit of the flattening stones can be used on several different grits, so there is no need to get every single flattening grit for each corresponding grits of NSK sharpening stone you may have; see recommended grit ranges for each flattening stone below.

Flattening grits: 200, 400, 600, 1000, 3000, 6000

Recommended Use: Flattening grits from 200-1000 can be used on All NSK sharpening stones up to 1500 grit. All NSK sharpening stones with grits above 1000 should ideally be flattened with a grit as close to the stone's grit as possible. For example, a 3000 grit sharpening stone should be flattened with grits 3000 and above.

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 17mm
Weight: 468g
Grit Range: #3000