Hitohira - Natural Whetstone - Uchigumori #4

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Producing Area: Kyoto, Osaka - Japan
Mine: Shobudani
Strata: Tomae?
Appearance: A mix of classic Asagi yellowish-green with some red undertones. Yake Namazu-like splotches.
Size: 204mm x 75mm x 43mm
Weight: 1526g
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: 4
Thirst: 2.5
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 3.5
Ease of Use: 4.5

Notes: Top shelf specimen, especially hard to find in Shobudani these days. It is extremely consistent, fast, and easy to use, all while providing a beautiful Kasumi finish. Kasumi can quickly and easily be finished on the frosty side, but working the slurry can provide a brighter finish. Black slurry in seconds. Feedback has just the right amount of tackiness to give you good grounding. Really attractive dimensions, and is firm enough to be used with push-cut tools. All the qualities you'd find in a unicorn option.

Recommended Usage: Lovely, high-end Kasumi finishes; very refined edges; finisher or pre-polisher for kanna/nori. Versatile.

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.

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.

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. This is an absolute gem - the speed and ease of use along with the incredible price for such a stone is remarkable.

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. 

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 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: 3.5
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 that adds a little speed. Another fantastic handpicked stone at a great price.

Recommended Usage: Gorgeous Kasumi! Final or pre polisher. Very refined toothy edges. Firm and fine enough for finishing or pre polisher for push-cut tools.

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 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, Osaka - 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.