Japanese Natural Toishi Finishing Whetstone - Narutaki Mizu Asagi San

This exceptional Japanese whetstone was selected and purchased by us directly from Japan, then thoroughly tested and coated with cashew lacquer on sides and back to protect the stone for long term use. It measures 195 mm (7.68 in) long × 59 mm (2.32 in) wide × 23 mm (0.91 in) tall, and weighs 376g.

Stone Testing Details:

Hardness: LV 5
Deep, dark Mizu Asagi (water color) from the Hon Narutaki mine. Stones from the Hon Narutaki mine are prized by Sword Polishers and Razor Sharpeners. They are very rare to come by and usually the term "Narutaki" is used to describe a geographic region. Stones from the Narutaki mine are very rare and treasured. In perfect San size. This is a hard and fine stone traditionally used by barbers. The stone has a hard, dense feel but a gentle cushioned like feel with fine, silky texture and elasticity on water only honing. This stone has a very high quality feel akin to Nakayama stones in feel and overall performance. With diamond plate slurry, the speed increases and texture of the slurry feels more granular yet still light and silky. The resulting edges are aggressive and ready for further refinement with Tomo Nagura. The stone can be used in this manner coming off of a medium grit stone. Mikawa Nagura progressions are wonderful with the silky feel carrying over. The stone’s slurry is very discernable against the coarser Nagura and feedback is clear. The resulting edges was very refined after Tomo Nagura and the shaves are smooth and comfortable. For knives, the stone leaves a well refined, bright mirror like polish with a touch of haze. The elasticity and unique silky smooth feel are very rare characteristics that are found in high quality, harder finishing stones. 

A photo of the resulting polish left on a high quality Japanese knife is shown.