Imanishi - Natural Stone - Premium Pick - Asagi - 005

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.