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: 3.6
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 mellow, exceedingly smooth yet dense Uchigumori which I would consider Hato but definitely on the higher end of Hato. It features a beautiful, flaw-free, bluish grey base color with aka Renge and phantom Suminagashi patterns. Quintessential Hato Uchigumori with easy going, silky smooth, gliding sensation and fast cutting speed. Has nuanced, crisp feel which is whispy and high pitched in tone. Great for all applications including razors. When honing with this Uchigumori, it is best used as a pre finishing stone as it's fast cutting speed and nuanced, live feel are a treat to feel underneath the razor. Can be utilized with different slurry mediums and techniques to achieve unique results. Just hard enough for effective particle breakdown and demonstrates amazing particle uniformity for an Uchigumori.