Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area: Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: Certainly a base of blue, hence the name "Ao"-to, "blue" stone. These softer versions tend to have a tint of red to them, a decent indication of their hardness level.
Size: 175mm x 52mm 54mm
Weight: 1031g
Grit Range: 2000-4000
1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More
Hardness Level: 3
Scratch Depth: 2.5
Speed: 3
Wear Rate: 2
Self Slurry: 2.5
Ease of Use: 3.5
Recommended Usage: Mid polishing sequence, frosty Kasumi, mid sharpening for push-cut tools, keener edge with a little bite
Notes: This is the coarser and softer Aoto vs. its slightly harder and finer Aoto sibling that we also stock. This if better for mid to later steps in your sequence. You can definitely get very good working edges on push-cut tools (and knives), as its heritage was essentially THE main stone used by Japanese woodworkers. In fact they were so commonly used it is now difficult to find "true" Aoto. A lot of Atagoyama and other homogenous-looking stones are being passed off as Aoto so please be cautious when buying them.
Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all qualities are our subjective 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 such as weight, stamps, and performance.