#721 Aiiwatani Asagi Goma Namazu Nashiji Easy Hard Fine Fast 4 Hardness 4-4.5 Fineness 1124 grams

A big full benchstone sized Aiiwatani, excellent easy to use hard stone here, sometimes stones of th is hardness and fineness are strict and don't get along with too much pressure, this one is super easy going. This stone can be used with our without a nagura and if the slurry is managed properly (very, very light pressure on drying mud) it can be graded finer leaving a bright sub mirror kasumi finish.

Sealed with cashew lacquer.

175x72x36 1124grams

Aiiwatani: A ‘Higashi-Mono’ (Eastern Mine) whetstone that is close in proximity to Takashima and Wakasa, two mines known for their high density stones. Aiiwatani are great shiage-toishi(fine stones) when you are looking for a refined edge. Typically more mellow in cutting action, but this can lead to a cleaner polish.

Asagi: This aesthetic term refers to the general color of the stone. Typically, Asagi stones are grey, light blue, greyish-blue/green, and tan. They are usually quite clean stones that are on the harder side. However, softer Asagi stones are great for knife polishing.

Goma:

This aesthetic quality looks like tiny black dots, or little sesame seeds in the stone. This quality typically translates to having a fast cutting speed.

Namazu:

Translating to ‘cat-fish’, this aesthetic quality looks like white blotches on the stone. Usually this quality has a great sharpening feel that is smooth and tactile. In extreme cases of Namazu where the stone is very hard, it can be scratchy with too much pressure.

Nashiji:

Meaning ‘pear-skin’, this aesthetic quality looks like tiny brown/pale dots on the stone. This quality can look similar to Su-holes on Suita stones as well as be a quality on Suita.