Amakusa red natural japanese stone

Amakusa red natural stone is a coarse stone with an estimated grain size between 500-800. It can therefore be used to sharpen rather dull blades.

Curiosity

Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu still has two natural whetstone quarrying sites. One is located near Unzen-dake Volcano in Nagasaki Prefecture. The second is on the island of Shimoshima, near the city of Amakusa in Kumamoto Prefecture. These whetstones are each named according to where they come from. It is not possible to assign an exact grain size to these natural sharpening stones. This is why we prefer to give a grain size which should be understood as an approximation. All the stones have carefully cut rectangular faces. The batches we receive from Japan may differ in color and texture from the stones shown on this page, depending on the geological layers from which they are extracted. These stones are inexpensive and therefore a good starting point for sharpening with natural stones. Stones are also relatively tolerant of the type of steel you are sharpening – you can sharpen both carbon steel and stainless steel blades. Edges or damaged parts, sometimes several millimeters in length, are normal for this type of natural stone and should be tolerated; they do not interfere with the sharpening function.