$500-$999

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: Mikawa Mountain Range, Kitashitara, Aichi - Japan
Mine: Kada Mountain or unspecified Junmikawa stratum
Strata: N/A
Appearance: "Striped" (shima) lines running linearly down the length of the stone, a mix of off-white and orange. Beautiful chalky block!
Size: 220mm x 82mm x 45mm
Weight: 1573g
~Grit Range: 2500-4000

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

Notes: A large, pure nagura that will last many years. 

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

Background Info: Nagura are made of lithified tuff, which is silica-rich stratified volcanic ash that has been compacted into a solid over many, many years, and this composition yields unique sharpening and polishing properties. Much of their use has been centered around blades other than knives: swords, razors, woodworking tools and so on. Nagura can come from several locations in Japan, the most famous being the Junmikawa (Mikawa) mine located within the Mikawa Mountain range in Aichi Prefecture. 

Chu Nagura are used as one of the last stones before Uchigumori in a traditional sword polishing sequence. Such "proper" Chu Nagura are mined at Kada Mountain, not from the Mikawa mine-proper, both of which are in the same mountain range. Chu Nagura can also be somewhat of a catch-all term for stones from the Mikawa mine that do not fit cleanly into the known classified strata. Within swords, "chu" is often used to roughly mean "medium" (medium grit, medium size, etc.)

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: Zay Knives
Line: Coreless Damascus 
Made in:  Lewiston, Maine - USA 
Smith: Isaiah Washington 
Sharpener: Isaiah Washington 
Profile: Petty/Utility
Edge Length: 130mm
Blade Height: 45mm
Edge Steel: 1095-15N20
Steel Type: Carbon
Construction: Coreless Damascus
Cladding: N/A
Finish: Mosiac Integral Damascus (Sekiso)
Bevel: Double Bevel
Bevel Symmetry: 50/50
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Handle Shape: Hybrid
Handle Material: Stabilized Black Palm Wood
Ferrule/Bolster Material: Copper
Spine Length: 136mm
Thickness of Spine at Handle: 3.4mm
Thickness ½ way: 2.3mm
Thickness ~1cm from Tip: 0.7mm
Handle Length: 100mm
Total Length: 255mm
Weight: 150g
Saya/Guard: Sold Separately

Please note: These pictures and measurements are examples. Individual items may differ slightly in appearance and measurements.

Care advisement: Carbon Steel 
This blade is carbon steel and care must be taken to avoid rust. Wipe dry after each use and ideally between preparing different products, especially when using acidic and salty products. A patina will form over time helping increase stain resistance slightly. Hand wash and dry only. Store away from liquids and open windows. Keep the blade covered when storing or traveling. Use only on appropriate cutting surfaces such as soft woods and plastics.