Hitohira Picked Shobudani Natural Stone San (No.0040)

An off-size but well priced and clean Aka Shobudani, very smooth with an aggressive cutting feel, very good polishing power and with a very fine, hazy and detailed sheen to the finish. Perfect for knife edges but mostly smaller tools like kiridashi and chisels.

Natural sharpening stones, known as JNATs or Tennen Toishi, are quarried from mountains across Japan. These stones are a product of Japan’s unique sedimentary and geological history, which makes them rich in silica and silicon oxide—key elements that enable effective sharpening of steel. When combined with the clay that acts as a binder, the resulting material can vary in cutting speed, depending on the proportions of each component. Japan is one of the few places in the world where such a diverse range of these stones can be found.

The availability of these natural stones has played a crucial role in Japan’s history of swordmaking and the production of high-quality tools. Beyond their practical uses, they also hold significant historical and cultural value. The world of natural sharpening stones is as complex as it is fascinating.

Tennen Toishi stones offer performance that’s unmatched by most man-made sharpening stones. They are known for their longevity, superior edge quality, and the ability to produce exceptional polishes. These stones typically provide better cutting performance and long lasting edges.
Natural stones are evaluated based on size, hardness, fineness, evenness, and cutting speed. Stones that are large, fine, fast, and produce clean finishes are often the most desirable.

While general characteristics can be identified based on the mountain or mine of origin, each stone is unique. Stones from known sources may have predictable qualities, but individual testing is essential to assess their specific performance.