Nakayama Tomae

Nakayama Tomae is a high quality Japanese natural sharpening stone from the Nakayama mine in the eastern part of Japan, near Kyoto. These stones are highly valued by knife, razor and other sharp tool sharpeners for their unique properties and excellent performance. Here is some basic information about Nakayama Tomae:

Features:

1. Origin and composition:
   • Nakayama Tomae stones are quarried from the Nakayama mine, which is famous for its awasedo (sharpening completion) stones.
2. The stones are very hard and fine-grained, making them ideal for final polishing and sharpening.
3. Usage:
   • Nakayama Tomae stones are mainly used as finishing stones in the sharpening process, giving a very sharp and polished edge to the blade.
   • They are particularly popular for sharpening Japanese knives (e.g. Yanagiba, Deba), straight razors and woodworking tools.
   • Thanks to their hardness and fine texture, they achieve a mirror-like blade surface that is not only sharp but also aesthetically pleasing.
4. Sharpening sensation:
   • Nakayama stones are known for their pleasant sharpening sensation - they give a smooth, "silky" contact with the blade compared to other natural stones.
   • Their surface allows precise control of the sharpening process, which is particularly important for professionals.
5. Rupum:
   • Nakayama Tomae stones do not have a standard "grit" (coarseness) rating like synthetic stones, but they are generally considered very fine, around 8000-12000+ grit.
   • They are often used after larger stones (e.g. 1000-6000 grit) to complete the sharpening process.

Maintenance and use:

• Preparation: The stone surface must be moistened with water before use. The stone must be wet when sharpening to allow the water to act as a lubricant.
• Technology: The knife is held at an angle of 15-30° while sharpening, with diagonal back and forth movements across the stone surface. After use, the stone is cleaned with a soft brush and dried in a ventilated area.
• Warnings: Not suitable for sharpening serrated knives or scissors. The stone is fragile and should be protected from knocks or falls.

Market aspects:

• Rarity: The Nakayama mine is closed, so the supply of these stones is limited, making them expensive and desirable to collectors and professionals.
• Price: Nakayama Tomae stones can range in price from a few hundred to thousands of euros, depending on size, quality and colour (e.g. yellow Kiita are very expensive).

Why is Nakayama Tomae special?

• Nakayama stones, especially Tomae, are considered to be among the finest natural sharpening stones in the world because of their hardness, fine texture and unique mineral properties.
• Their ability to create a very sharp and polished edge makes them indispensable for traditional Japanese sharpening, where aesthetics as well as functionality are important.