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Hon-Tajima Natural Whetstone #0105

Hon-Tajima Natural Whetstone #0105

$325.00 USD
$325.00 USD
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dimensions

• Length: 8-1/4" (210mm)
• Width: 3-1/4" (82mm)
• Height: 2-1/2" (65mm)
• Weight: 6.09 lb (2769g)

Hon-Tajima Natural Whetstone (天然但馬砥石)


Overview
An authentic, vintage Tajima Toishi (Hon-Tajima) sourced from the historic, now-closed quarries of the Tajima region (Hyōgo Prefecture). Classified as a traditional medium-grit stone (Chu-toishi), it typically performs in the #800 to #2,000 grit range. Tajima stones are celebrated by Japanese knife sharpeners, woodworkers, and tool polishers for producing a fast-cutting, creamy slurry that leaves a refined, scratch-free pre-polish and a beautiful, hazy kasumi contrast on broad bevels.
This is a massive, heavyweight specimen weighing over 6 lbs with generous dimensions that easily accommodate wide kitchen knives (gyuto, yanagiba) and broad woodworking plane irons (kanna).
Specifications
Type: Japanese Natural Whetstone (JNAT) / Medium Grit (Chu-toishi)
Origin: Tajima (但馬), Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Markings: Original provenance stamp (本但馬 / Hon-Tajima) and side inspection seal
Dimensions: 8-1/4" × 3-1/4" × 2-1/2" (210 mm × 82 mm × 65 mm)
Weight: 6.09 lb (2,769 g)
Condition & Visual Details
Stamps: Clear, readable black ink maker/provenance stamps on the top face and side.
Grain & Color: Light ash-grey matrix dense with characteristic fine, dark mineral speckles and subtle, natural brownish-yellow oxidation/mineral banding.
Shape & Cut: Oversized, trapezoidal/angled wedge block with prominent quarry saw marks across the faces (unlapped/as-found vintage stock).
Flaws: Notable diagonal fracture/chip on one upper corner and minor chips along the lower perimeter edges; requires initial lapping prior to use.

care instructions

​Initial Inspection & Cleaning: Before use, gently inspect your Japanese natural whetstone (JNAT) for any loose grit or debris, and wash the surface with clean water and a soft brush.
​Soaking Guidelines: Understand your specific stone's hardness; softer stones (like Aizu or Amakusa) generally require a brief soak of 10 to 20 minutes, while harder, finer finishing stones (like Tomae or Suita) often perform best as splash-and-go stones requiring only surface hydration.
​Avoiding Thermal Shock: Never submerge a cold or dry stone in hot water, and avoid exposing your JNAT to extreme temperature shifts, which can cause cracking or structural failure.
​Slurry Generation: Build a natural abrasive slurry using a diamond plate, coarse stone, or a matching nagura (such as a Tsushima Nagura) to jump-start cutting action and condition the surface for your blade steel.
​Water Maintenance: Keep the stone adequately lubricated with clean water throughout the sharpening session, periodically rinsing away accumulated swarf to maintain optimal feedback and cutting speed.
​Drying Process: After sharpening, rinse the stone thoroughly under clean running water and allow it to dry completely in a well-ventilated, shaded area away from direct sunlight and artificial heat sources.
​Long-Term Storage: Store your dried JNAT in a stable environment where it won't be subjected to heavy impacts, freezing temperatures, or high humidity fluctuations that could compromise its integrity.

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