Tsukinowa Hon Tomae Asagi Japanese Natural Finishing Whetstone

This exceptional Japanese whetstone was selected by us and imported directly from Japan, thoroughly tested and sealed on sides and back to protect the stone for long term use. 

It measures 185 mm (7.28 inches) long × 65 mm (2.56 inches) wide × 25 mm (0.98 inches) tall, and weighs 926 g (32.67 oz / 2.04 lbs).

Hardness: 4.5
This stone was mined decades ago by one of our wholesalers who is a generational member of the Kyoto Natural Whetstone Association. Tsukinowa is a mine located southeast of the summit of Mt. Atago, which is the division point between Nishimono and Higashimono (East/West). Tsukinowa is a Honishinori mine, just like Nakayama, Okudo, Shobudani, Ozuku, etc. Tsukinowa gets it's namesake from the Tsukinowa temple, which is located close by. Although not well known to the western world, domestically in Japan, Tsukinowa stones have been used for the final polish of swords, used interchangeably with Narutaki for Jizuya. Narutaki and Tsukinowa stones are known for their high abrasive density and fine polishing characteristics. They come in many levels of hardness and the super hard stones are used by barbers for razors. This Asagi is Medium hard, perfect hardness for planes and works perfectly having the ability to cut fast and create an even and consistent kasumi polish with great contrast and refinement. Perfect results can be achieved with relative ease when used water only which is very rare. Perfect for razors whether using standalone finishing. Comparable to Nakayama, Shobudani and Aiiwatani in many ways. Tsukinowa is a Honishinori Mine which is the main reason that they can be directly compared to the best finishing stones such as Nakayama, Shobudani, Ozuku, Ozaki, Okudo, Aiiwatani etc. Collector Grade.

A photo of the stone's polishing ability on soft and hard steels of a Japanese kanna (plane) blade are shown.