Ohira Suita

Size (mm) / Weight

222x80x68 / 2,939g

Performance

Hardness / Fineness: 4- / 4

This performance of this suita is precisely the reason that Ohira has such stellar reputation. The sharpening feedback, speed, and consistency on steel is unrivaled in my opinion. The polish is scratch free to the naked eye with a strong kasumi finish and excellent iridescence brought to the steel. The feel is smooth without being slippery. For the sharpening of harder modern steels or honyaki knives this stone has my highest recommendation.

Unfortunately there are two major lines running across this stone. These lines are certain to bring toxic material to the surface over time. While the lines are conveniently located at the ends of the stone and are such that they could be dug, their presence is unfortunate. However, there is a lot of very clean stone on offer between the lines and it would take even an avid sharpener a very, very long time to work down the the stone to the point where the lines would cause true inconvenience - for the foreseeable future these lines are a cosmetic concern. 

Aesthetics & Other Notes

This suita shows blue-grey coloring with renge throughout and a faint sumingashi swirls.

The stone is sealed in clear lacquer.

Ohira (大平, Oohira, Ohirayama)

A Western mine famous for Uchigumori and the quality of its suita. Although the mine is still occasionally worked, it is increasingly challenging to find uchigumori and Ohira suita available for export. Reportedly, many togishi are worried about the long term supply of quality uchigumori stones.

This stone is being sold on consignment