#763 B Stock Tanaka Toishi Aoto Natural Stone Type 15 (Harder) 1478 grams

B Stock Tamba Aoto natural stone type 15 size, approx 200x55x55mm 1478 grams.

This stone is great to use but has a seam / crack running parallel to the surface about midway through the stone, will benefit from either glue or a lacquer on side of stone to stabilize. This one is approximately in the 2-3K finish range. 

Aoto stones are approximately 2000 grit but being natural stones cut differently than synthetic stones which are made from a gradable grit and can vary from steel to steel and also can be made to cut differently with different amounts of water and pressure and control of the consistency and wear of the slurry formed on the face of the stone. These are great for knives that benefit from a good amount of bite in their edge or cut longer with a coarser polish like many treatments of aogami steel especially aogami super.

Generally softer Aoto stones are easier to use and can cut a little more aggressively than harder stones which can be made to polish finer with less water and pressure on a dry used slurry.

Like other natural stones these should not be soaked as they will fall apart eventually along bedding planes on seams in the stone.

Natural Aoto stones can have small seams of harder stone that need to be managed (scratched away with a pick) or have small cracks that need gluing with super glue. Important for stone's longevity: DO NOT SOAK

Synthetic stones offer more predictability in regards to grit, naturally occurring imperfections, etc., but these natural stones have a wonderful cutting feel when used properly.