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A group of Daitsuki toishi - JNAT stones that have been mounted on a wooden base.

Why Daitsuki Japanese Natural Whetstones Are an...

Seeing a Japanese natural whetstone mounted to a wooden base often raises doubts about hidden defects or poor value. In truth, the daitsuki format is a revered, practical craft tradition...

Why Daitsuki Japanese Natural Whetstones Are an...

Seeing a Japanese natural whetstone mounted to a wooden base often raises doubts about hidden defects or poor value. In truth, the daitsuki format is a revered, practical craft tradition...

The Kitchen Knife Guide to Asano Mikawa Nagura

The Kitchen Knife Guide to Asano Mikawa Nagura

Often treated as the exclusive domain of straight razors and nihonto polishers, authentic Asano Mikawa Nagura stones offer kitchen knife enthusiasts unmatched slurry control, subtle bite, and flawless kasumi finishes.

The Kitchen Knife Guide to Asano Mikawa Nagura

Often treated as the exclusive domain of straight razors and nihonto polishers, authentic Asano Mikawa Nagura stones offer kitchen knife enthusiasts unmatched slurry control, subtle bite, and flawless kasumi finishes.

Valuating and Pricing JNAT: The Collector’s Guide

Valuating and Pricing JNAT: The Collector’s Guide

Why does one Kyoto natural stone cost $150 while another from the same mountain commands $3,500? From historical 10-Kan cut yields and Tamba Terrane geology to toxic silica veins and...

Valuating and Pricing JNAT: The Collector’s Guide

Why does one Kyoto natural stone cost $150 while another from the same mountain commands $3,500? From historical 10-Kan cut yields and Tamba Terrane geology to toxic silica veins and...

Blade forging instruction in progress at Dust Bowl Knives.

I Forged My Own Knife at Dust Bowl Knives

What really happens during an all-day bladesmithing class? Follow along from a student's perspective through the morning anvil work, the heat treat quench, handle contouring, and whetstone sharpening at Dust...

I Forged My Own Knife at Dust Bowl Knives

What really happens during an all-day bladesmithing class? Follow along from a student's perspective through the morning anvil work, the heat treat quench, handle contouring, and whetstone sharpening at Dust...

A wooden plate containing several types of tomo nagura whetstones.

Tomo Nagura: The Complete Guide

Diamond plates get the job done, but natural companion stones eliminate rogue scratches and unleash the true cutting power of JNATs. Explore the mechanics of tomo nagura and discover our...

Tomo Nagura: The Complete Guide

Diamond plates get the job done, but natural companion stones eliminate rogue scratches and unleash the true cutting power of JNATs. Explore the mechanics of tomo nagura and discover our...

Natsuya Whetstones: Complete Guide

Natsuya Whetstones: Complete Guide

Bridging the gap between rough shaping and medium refining, the banded Natsuya stone (~1,000–2,000 grit) provides fast cutting speed and rich slurry. Discover how to maintain its geometry and leverage...

Natsuya Whetstones: Complete Guide

Bridging the gap between rough shaping and medium refining, the banded Natsuya stone (~1,000–2,000 grit) provides fast cutting speed and rich slurry. Discover how to maintain its geometry and leverage...