Mizukihara Uchigumori Japanese Natural Whetstone

This exceptional Japanese whetstone was selected by us and imported directly from Japan and thoroughly tested and the sides and back were sealed with clear lacquer.

Hardness: 4
Mizukihara Uchigumori mined from the Tenjou Suita layer. Uchigumori have been used throughout history, mainly designated for samurai sword polishing but they can be used for a wide range of applications such as razors, knives, and tools. Uchigumori come in two main types called Hato and Jito. Each designated for specific parts of the sword, the soft steel Jigane and Hard steel Hagane. Uchigumori come in a wide variety of harness and refinement capabilities so each individual stone will have specific traits which will dictate the end results. Generally, Uchigumori are considered pre finishing stones in terms of polishing and honing but there are exceptions, like all natural stones. This is a firm Uchigumori which tows a fine line between Hato and Jito. It is a dense Uchigumori which features a hard, deep bluish grey bae coloration which is adorned with aka Renge. This is a near flawless Uchigumori and it's only shortcoming is it's shape on the surface but that is just a minor consideration. This stone is firm yet forgiving in use and with its increased hardness, higher levels of refinement are possible. Although not a mirror polishing stone, it is capable of breaking down slurry and refining the polish and edge with work. This is a great Uchigumori for razors as it is grit rich and fast cutting, highly effective for hard steel. There is a thin, black line on the surface but it doesn't effect performance or scratch at all, it's simply a visual consideration.