Stones

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Producing Area: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture - Japan
Appearance: Classic Uchigumori gray/purple with Aka Renge and some a few Namazu streaks
Size: 180mm x 66mm x 23mm
Weight: 647g
Grit Range: 4000-6000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 4.5
Scratch Depth: 1.5
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 1.5
Self Slurry: 2
Thirst: 2
Consistency: 4
Ease of Use: 3.5

Recommended Usage: Fast, bright Kasumi or polished Hagane (Ha-to?); scratch removal from sub 6000 grit; final pre polisher; push cut tools; Uraoshi sharpening; microbevels.

Notes: Amazing value, super consistent specimen. Provides a very fast and easy bright Kasumi. A little harder than more expensive Uchigumori, so be mindful with pressure. Hard enough for push cut tools. The line can only be felt with the fingers when actively feeling for it and not when polishing wide bevels, and it has no effect on the result. A really awesome option for those who want to try their first Uchigumori.

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.

One of our most trusted sources handpicks these stones from the famed Imanishi in Kyoto for us. These tennen toishi represent some of the best value you will find on the market for natural stones. They are generally prime examples of how stones with "ordinary" aesthetics can belie the efficacy and ease of use of extraordinary gems that are often otherwise overlooked (and they save money too).

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.

 and which really ties the whole subject of steel and stone together.

We are proud to provide such wonderful pieces to you.

Brand: Imanishi 今西製砥
Producing Area: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture - Japan
Mine: Hideriyama 
Appearance: Classic Asagi light-green
Size: 196mm x 72mm x 27.3mm
Weight: 880g
Grit Range: 3000-6000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 3
Scratch Depth: 2
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 2
Self Slurry: 5
Thirst: 2.5
Consistency: 4
Ease of Use: 4.5

Notes: Absolute stunner. Black slurry immediately upon contact. Perfect level of firmness that is very easy to use. Gives a lovely, bright Kasumi and removes rather coarse scratch marks quickly. Very comfortable and vivid feedback. Will work very well with push-cut tools. Pre or final polisher for all wide bevels. Another gem from our Premium Pick line.

Recommended Usage: Fast, bright Kasumi. All wide bevel tools. Very refined textured edges.

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: 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. Dimensions and weight may change slightly as 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. 

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

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: #600

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: #6000

Hakuto 2

Medium hardness, they are ideal for creating softer bevel changes and finishing full convex grinds. Given the available grits are only medium to high grit, Hakuto 2 stones are best left for use after initial, coarser work has been completed.

Recommended for advanced users.

Hakuto 2 grits: 3000, 3000S, 6000, 6000S, 10,000

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 26.5mm
Weight: 740g
Grit Range: #3000

Hakuto 2

Medium hardness (harder than Hakuto 3, softer than Hakuto 1), it is ideal for blending in smooth transitions on bevels or grinding in full convex grinds (as opposed to crisp lines like a Shinogi). Ideal for advanced users.

Hakuto 2 grits: 3000, 3000S, 6000, 6000S, 10,000

Brand: NSK Kogyo Ltd.
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 26.5mm
Weight: 740g
Grit Range: #6000 S (Soft)

Kyokuha

The original NSK Kogyo diamond stone series, Kyokuha are built for ease of use and are effective on a wide variety of steels from carbon, stainless, powder, even tool steel. It has a large selection of grits to fit almost every user's needs. These are the softest of the NSK series and are ideal for beginners and seasoned users.

Kyokuha grits are: 200, 300, 400, ~500 to ~600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 8000, 10,000, and 16,000

Brand: NSK Kogyo Ltd.
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 26.5mm
Weight: 740g
Grit Range: #200

Kyokuha

The original NSK Kogyo diamond stone series, Kyokuha are built for ease of use and compatibility with a wide variety of steels from carbon, stainless, powder, even tool steel. It has a large selection of grits to fit almost every user's needs. These are the softest of the NSK series and probably easiest to learn sharpening and polishing. I

Recommended for beginners and seasoned users, or those who simply prefer softer stones.

Kyokuha grits: 200, 300, 400, ~500 to ~600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 8000, 10,000, and 16,000

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 26.5mm
Weight: 740g
Grit Range: #400