#BC-M01 Miwotsukushi Hime Iyo Meito 'Kokuzo' Easy ~3 Nat Stone Tennen Toishi Ehime 1030 Grams

Miwotsukushi Hime mine Iyo Meito from in the Ehime prefecture on Shikoku island, Iyo stones have been quarried for 1300 years and may well be the oldest stones used for sharpening on record in Japan. Volcanic Iyo stones are typically harder than most Japanese sedimentary stones (Iyo stones are fused volcanic ash) and range in coarseness from approximately 1000 to 4000+ grit. We mostly stock harder, finer Iyo Meitos.

This 'Kokuzo Kuro' stone is on the softer side of the harder and fine Iyo Meito stones. It makes a finish somewhat similar to a 3000-grit synthetic; it cannot be graded as a synthetic can, but it is similar. With a little slurry generated from a 400-grit diamond, the stone cuts a little more aggressively, with only water, it's a bit finer. This is a great edge for knives that benefit from 'bite' in their polish but are also made from hard steels capable of working at a fine finish. 

For a hard stone, it is not too difficult to use, but does require some getting used to, as it works a bit differently than sedimentary Honyama stones. That said this one is a little softer than some of the other hard Iyo Meito stones and is easy to use. 

This stone's working surface (opposite stamped side) is :137x125mm long, 95/110mm wide and 28mm thick 1030 grams