Stones

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)

Hakuto 3

The softest in the Hakuto series, they are the most similar of the Hokuto stones to feeling like soft, muddy natural stones. Like Hakuto 2, 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, or for users who prefer the feel of of natural stones that are not as hard as Oboro Knife.

Hakuto 3 grits: 3000, 6000, 10,000

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 26.5mm
Weight: 740g
Grit Range: #12000

Oboro Knife

The newest NSK series, Oboro Knife was designed specifically for kitchen knives, and are very effective on a wide variety of steels for a wide variety of services. The abrasives in Oboro Knife tend to cut deeper and faster than other NSK lines, thus they are the most ideal series for full-blade servicing such as thinning, repairing, and reprofiling. Ideal for seasoned to advanced users.

Oboro Knife grits: 200, 400, 800, 2000, 4000, 6000

Brand: NSK Kogyo Ltd.
Thickness: 3.5mm
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 26.5mm
Weight: 740g
Grit Range: #6000

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.

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.

Total Length: 230mm
Total Height: 64mm
Total Width: 90mm
Stone Length: 210mm
Stone Height: 22mm
Stone Width: 78mm
Total Weight: 1015g
Grit: #320

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

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Dimensions: 220mm x 82mm x 45mm
Weight: 1573g

Notes: Really nice specimen from the famous Mikawa mine in Aichi Prefecture via the famous Tanaka Toishi brand. They are firm to hard, and quality specimens are fast and give good polishing results. Generally easy to use depending on the hardness.

Suggested Use: pre or final polisher for knives and push-cut tools.

Background Info: Nagura is made of lithified tuff, which is silica-rich stratified volcanic ash that has been compacted into a solid over many, many years. They contain very fine particles of silica (and other  which are often more friable than other sedimentary stones, and thus are ideal for polishing. They are used as one of the last stones before Uchigumori in a traditional sword polishing sequence. The word "Nagura" is the named after the individual who discovered the utility of the lithified tuff as a whetstone, Sakon Nagura, over 700 years ago.

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.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Dimensions: 225mm x 86mm x 44mm
Weight: 1615g

Notes: Really nice specimen from the famous Mikawa mine in Aichi Prefecture via the famous Tanaka Toishi brand. They are firm to hard, and quality specimens are fast and give good polishing results. Generally easy to use depending on the hardness.

Suggested Use: pre or final polisher for knives and push-cut tools.

Background Info: Nagura is made of lithified tuff, which is silica-rich stratified volcanic ash that has been compacted into a solid over many, many years. They contain very fine particles of silica (and other  which are often more friable than other sedimentary stones, and thus are ideal for polishing. They are used as one of the last stones before Uchigumori in a traditional sword polishing sequence. The word "Nagura" is the named after the individual who discovered the utility of the lithified tuff as a whetstone, Sakon Nagura, over 700 years ago.

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.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Producing Area: Kyoto, Osaka - Japan
Mine: Yaginoshima
Appearance: Classic grey/blue Mizu with lots of teeny tiny Goma
Size: 209mm x 76mm x 40mm (type 40)
Weight: 1567g
Grit Range: 4000-6000

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

Recommended Usage: Refined edges, polishing for frosty to bright Kasumi on wide bevels. Hard enough for tools.

Notes: A lovely stone! While it is on the harder side on paper, I actually couldn't get the stone to scratch my test Kiridashi. That, aned given its speed, this stone is actually quite easy to use and will produce a dark slurry within seconds. For the price, it is a lovey choice for both beginners and intermediate users. 

Recommended Usage: Quick, easy Kasumi and polishing on wide bevels, and some pushcut tools. Textured, but keen edges.

Notes: We have fallen in love with these somewhat lesser known Umajiyama stones. They are incredibly easy to use and relatively affordable, and can be found in smaller sizes like this type 60. They have nice, grippy feedback at first, and then start to self slurry quickly, leading to smoother, silky feedback. They are surprisingly fast and make nice hazy to frosty kasumi. You could finish off of that level of Kasumi, or use it as a mid to end stone before your pre or final polishing stone for something brighter. The slurry can be reused for powder work, as well. We recommend these for beginners and advanced users.

Total Length: 210mm
Total Height: 10mm
Total Width:75mm
Weight: 540g
Grit: #1200

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.