Thread: Want to know more about this Japanese razor hone of Unknown origin

I got this stone of unknown origin as it was only $35, the seller said it has been used by a barber in Japan for many many years, until the barber finally passed away. As it had no stamps, nothing is known about it. Upon use, it has given me incredible results so I want to know what it is, in terms of what layer of stone and anything else about it.

Shaving straight off the stone (no stropping) it is superior to my Naniwa 12k and pretty darn close to a strop loaded with the finest abrasives.

Observations:

-it has a tobacco smell
-it has some orange-brown spots, and rust-colored skin
-chiseled sides and back (nice touch)
-does not load up or gauge like my synthetics do
-with slurry it cuts very fast
-with clean water it is very, very fine under the microscope but does have a milky white finish, semi-mirror
-used dry it gives a shiny true mirror polish, this is how I finish my razors (no stropping needed)

looks like a kiita with some HUGE nashiji spots on it.

I still haven't gotten around to using my stone (which looks a lot like yours) dry yet. It just seems weird... do you wipe off the dried slurry first, or go to it as is?

The best way to know your stone use it . test it and see what happens. lets us know the results please.gl

There is no way telling what kind of stone this is (ie what mine it came from).
The color would be kiita (egg shell) with strong nashiji (sprinkle).
In Nakayama terms this would be fast and fine, very valuable.
I own one kiita nashiji from Nakayama and it is just great.

Your stone seems to be a very strong cutter and very fine as well.
It has some laquer work on the side and the chiseling suggests a stone of high quality as well.
I would say you made the deal of your life.

Enjoy this most beautiful stone wich appears to be a real workhorse.
Congratiolation. Wanne sell it to me and double the money you paid for it?