Japanese Natural Finishing Whetstone with Nagura - Large Heirloom Quality Hatanaka Nakayama Kiita

This exceptional Japanese Nakayama Whetstone is a rare treasure, purchased by us from the estate of a collector of fine Japanese hones. A large bench size hone, it measures 205mm long x 78mm wide and 24mm thick ( 8.07 inches long × 3.07 inches wide × 0.94 inches thick) with a weight of 920 grams. The hone features beautiful figuring throughout the honing surface.

Thoroughly evaluated by 3 experts, this whetstone comes with a pedigree of testing and appreciation. Initially assessed and sold by Keith Johnson of Brooklyn, a highly respected authority in the whetstone community, the stone has been extensively tested by its next owner with his detailed notes included right on the stone. Its excellence has been further verified by Matt of Griffith Shaving Goods, confirming its status as an ideal finishing stone for the finest razors or kitchen knives. All sides and back of the hone have been sealed with cashew lacquer to preserve the long-term integrity of the stone. 

Whether used for honing razors to a mirror-like edge or perfecting the blades of precision kitchen knives, it promises unmatched results.

In addition to the notes left on the stone by the previous owner, Matt has observed the following qualities during testing:
- Hard, but not very hard a good base for softer Nagura including Mikawa nagura progression but this hone really shines using its own rich, earthy, muddy slurry
- very good abrasive power for the hardness, slurry darkens quickly when a razor is honed with a little pressure and a milky slurry
- velvety feedback with slurry, cuts quickly 
- lovely satin abrasive feedback on water only, polishes quickly
- leaves an amazingly keen edge with little effort