#BS02 Miwotsukushi Hime Iyo Meito 'Kokuzo Kuro' Hard ~4K Nat Stone Tennen Toishi Ehime 586 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 a hard and fine stone that makes a finish somewhat similar to a 4000 grit synthetic, it cannot be graded as a synthetic can but it is similar. With a little slurry generated from a 400 grit diamond atoma the stone cuts a little more aggressively, with only water its a bit finer. This is a great edge for knives that benefit from a bit of '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. 

132/140mm long, 60/77mm wide and 26mm thick 586 grams