Shobu Akapin

Size (mm) / Weight

195x73x32 / 1,053g

Performance

Hardness / Fineness: 2 / 3

Akapin is the shallowest layer of Kyoto stone and the softest as well. This example easily self slurries and cuts even the hardest low allow steels with ease as a result. It has exceptionally soft / chalky feel that will never feel hard or glassy. While I prefer softer stones for edge sharpening, if you prefer creamier feeling stones, this is the choice for you. It is not overly fine, finishing in the 4k range. Suitable as a transition stone moving from synthetics to finer naturals. It will dish faster than other natural stones so that will require your attention. It will leave a matte white kasumi on hard steel and a faint consistent scratch pattern on soft cladding. This stone has my highest recommendation for honyaki as well. While some enjoy akapin for razors and tools, I think it is best suited for knives. 

Aesthetics & Other Notes

This stone has a mottles orange and red color. Muted when dry, it is apparent when wet. There is no part of this stone that is toxic.

This stone is not sealed but the surface stamps are apparent.

Shobu (菖蒲谷, Shobudani, Shoubu)

An Eastern mine well regarded for its suita. While this mine may not have the same caché as Ohira or Nakayama in the West, stones from this mine are generally very high quality. Wholesales prices for Shoubu suita are some of the fastest increasing of all stones.