STONES FOR SALE
STONESHOP ARCHIVES STEEL LINKS WOOD TESTIMONALS BLADES FOR SALE
Please E-mail me with any questions or requests at:kannasama@sbcglobal.net
Dear Rockhounds
The shokunin craftsperson thrives in an atmosphere that encourages a better product and better performance, proper sharpening stones are an integral part of the formula. For actually shaving wood, sharper is always better. Adjust the bevel angle, incorporate a micro-bevel, whatever, the tool has to be sharp in order to cut and the only way to do that is with an abrasive to the steel.
If you were a student under a master, you may continue to use the same abrasives and sharpening techniques as your teacher. The world of sharpening stones has changed in the last 20 years with better synthetics and with the re-discovery of the ancient natural stones of the world. Your teacher was always searching for a sharper edge, and you are too.
I use and encourage others to use the finest product that is within their budget, and synthetics stones will fit the bill for most jobs up into the 10,000 to 15,000 grit range. Beyond 15K range it is immediately apparent that the age old struggle between Man & Nature is still being fought, forged and debated within the trades.
We of the last half of the 20th century were denied access to some of the old ways and tools of our predecessors, denied by market manipulation, hype, high costs or availability. For instance many of the old European tools were composed of bi-metal blades or simple high carbon steel. But high speed and exotic steels took over the market in the early 1900s and those fine old basic high carbon blades became collectors items. In the 1970s with the craft revival movement in the U.S. and Europe, some of those collector planes, saws and sharpening stones were dusted off and incorporated into the quivers of some crafty and dedicated woodworkers both in the building and cabinet trades. It wasn't long before a trend and general interest in Asia spilled over into the arts and crafts movement, especially on the west coast of the U.S. and amongst pockets of interested craftspeople worldwide.
This Page contains information about natural
sharpening stone called tennen toishi or awasedo (short for Awase Toishi).
Japanese natural sharpening stones are still mined near Kyoto but only on
a very limited basis.
I myself had a lovely set of older Marples mortise chisels, and a set of Japanese saws. Before I knew it I had bought a set Japanese chisels, and then more Japanese saws. After this I was never tempted to go back to the Disston push saws of my grandfather or the high speed steel chisels of my father. I had my share of King red bricks, and Arkansas blacks and whites, and I tried to use some old German razor hones on my tools but in 1978 when I bought my first Tennen Toishi for my chisel blades and plane blades, it was a new ball game.
The selection of natural Japanese natural sharpening stones, in Japan called tennen toishi, on the following pages was amassed by me over a period of 3 years. I have hand selected each and every stone in Japan, most came from a hoard of forgotten stock in a small town in the mountains of Japan.
These awase toishi or finish stones are better at sharpening Japanese chisels and plane blade than any synthetic stone available. In the 20,000 to 40,000 grit range, you will spend less time honing your blades while enjoying the sharpening process more with these natural awasedo than with any synthetic stone on the market, I guarantee it.
I want you to feel that buying an expensive stone over the internet does not have to include "taking a chance" or getting a "dud". My goal is for you to be happy with your purchase, and I will work with you to find a stone that suits your needs. Any stone purchased from the website here comes with a money back guarantee of satisfaction, minus shipping costs.
Also I want you to know that I own all of these stones, and tools on this site, they are not on consignment or "possibly available", each piece is shipped to you from California by USPS Priority mail, double boxed.
Please forward questions, requests and or purchases to the e-mail address below. Payment may be made with Check or Paypal. Write to Alex at: