This is a natural finishing whetstone from Ozuku, Kyoto, Japan, with an estimated grit equivalent of #10000 and a hardness rating of Lv.5.0.

Ozuku is one of the most renowned whetstone-producing areas in Kyoto’s Higashimono (Eastern Mine) region, historically prized for its exceptionally dense and hard stone quality. Ozuku stones are particularly respected among experienced sharpeners and Japanese natural whetstone enthusiasts for their ability to produce highly refined edges, especially on straight razors and other precision cutting tools.

This particular stone features a beautifully understated appearance, with a pale bluish-gray sharpening surface accented by soft yellowish-brown bands. When wet, its natural colors and patterns become more pronounced, highlighting the smooth, compact texture characteristic of high-density finishing stones.

With a hardness rating of Lv.5.0, this is an exceptionally hard and dense stone whose sharpening surface resists wear and releases relatively little slurry on its own. Such characteristics make it particularly suitable for refining the finest scratches left during the final stages of sharpening while maintaining precise control over the cutting edge.

We especially recommend this stone for the final finishing of straight razors. Its firm, stable sharpening surface supports the delicate razor edge, allowing experienced users to achieve a highly refined and consistent finish without unnecessarily rounding the apex, provided that the correct honing angle and light pressure are maintained.

Because of its considerable hardness, we recommend using a Nagura stone to generate slurry. A fine Nagura slurry helps moderate the contact between the blade and the stone, improves feedback during honing, and creates a smoother, more controllable transition into the final finishing stages.

As the finishing process progresses, gradually diluting the slurry and completing the final passes with plenty of water and very light pressure can help refine microscopic irregularities along the cutting edge. This approach allows the sharpener to work toward an exceptionally keen, smooth, and precisely finished razor edge, with the potential for a comfortable shaving experience.

Although this stone requires a certain level of skill and technique to fully appreciate its capabilities, its exceptionally hard and dense structure makes it a rewarding choice for experienced sharpeners seeking precision and control.

A distinguished Kyoto natural finishing whetstone, particularly well suited for the final honing of straight razors.

Dimention : 59-77mm×170-206mm×20-35mm ( Approx.) 

Weight:1333g