Stones

One of our most trusted sources handpicks these stones from the famed Imanishi stone shop in Kyoto just 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 for stones that are often otherwise overlooked (oh, and they save you 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 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 blade, you will come to understand the beautiful harmony skilled polishers sometimes have difficulty describing, 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, Osaka - Japan
Appearance: Classic, light-green Asagi with some faint blues and a sighting or two of small Namazu
Size: 196mm x 73mm x 37mm
Weight: 1173g
Grit Range: 4000-6000

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

Notes: Fast, with black slurry after a few seconds. On the slightly harder side but actually difficult to get unwanted scratches, making it easier to use then the vast majority of stones of similar hardness. Feedback is smooth with some intermittent tackiness and hardness in small areas but not bothersome nor worrisome and ease of use is maintained. Another very good handpicked stone at a great price.

Recommended Usage: 

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 example, or when first measured before being tested numerous times. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities.

One of our most trusted sources handpicks these stones from Imanishi 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 (oh, 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 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.

We are proud to provide such wonderful pieces to you.

Brand: Imanishi 今西製砥 
Producing Area: Kyoto, Osaka - Japan
Mine: Hideriyama
Appearance: Classic, light-green Asagi with faint reds
Size: 195mm x 71mm x 26.5mm
Weight: 790g
Grit Range: 6000-8000

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

Notes: Extremely fast - black slurry almost instantly. Extraordinarily easy to use and gives stellar results with little effort - one of those stones you dream of. Feedback is silky with the slightest bit of tackiness that neither scratches nor impedes rhythm - hyper consistent. 

Recommended Usage: Final or pre-polisher for bright Kasumi on wide bevels, including kanna and nomi and razors but suggest following up on harder stones for push-cut tools. This is an absolute gem - the speed and ease of use along with the incredible price for such a stone is remarkable.

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. 

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.

*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 Kogyo Ltd.
Length: 40mm
Width: 18mm
Height:15mm
Weight: 18g
Grit Range: #3000

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.

Brand: NSK Kogyo Ltd.
Length: 40mm
Width:18mm
Height:15mm
Weight: 18g
Grit Range: #800

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. The flattening stones are also the best tool to keep the edges and corners of the sharpening stones rounded.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, but it is recommended you then condition the surface of the 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, 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. If you do not have the ideal flattening grit for the sharpening stone at hand, you can condition the surface post-flattening with the included wafer, or with the available diamond nagura.

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. The flattening stones are also the best tool to keep the edges and corners of the sharpening stones rounded.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, but it is recommended you then condition the surface of the 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, 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. If you do not have the ideal flattening grit for the sharpening stone at hand, you can condition the surface post-flattening with the included wafer, or with the available diamond nagura.

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. The flattening stones are also the best tool to keep the edges and corners of the sharpening stones rounded.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, but it is recommended you then condition the surface of the 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, 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. If you do not have the ideal flattening grit for the sharpening stone at hand, you can condition the surface post-flattening with the included wafer, or with the available diamond nagura.