No.12 Kiita Bench

#12 Hoard Suita Kiita Bench stone

The idea of a suita that is yellow or suita-kiita is not the normal suggestion but if it is a suita and it is yellow then why not if the stone also is fully described. This is a shallower layer suita, probably from the Tenjyou layer that provides uchigumori and is likely from the Ozaki mine. I have found that some of the shallower layered stone are lighter colors, pastels and softer, this would be one of those stones that contains an extra amount of light colored clay material.

Not a razor stone but more of a knife stone, it is fast cutting and will quickly produce a black swarf from almost any steel. The inclusions are solid and filled with a softer than steel mineral that will not abnormally scratch a blade.
Also there are some angry looking groups of ancient su gas voids but I did not find them to be toxic either. For these reasons this stone is modestly priced.

Like the other kiita from this group It has hand sawn sides and the sawing may have been done at the mine site. This type of saw work was phased out and stopped around the beginning of the Showa Period in the 1920's. This stone would benefit by sealing the sides and back and being mounted on a wooden base.

With this stone and all of the other kiita I have test honed them on a vintage 1960s Henckels straight razor to a shave ready state, taking but a few minutes I then have test shaved with it. The results were barber like smooth and close.

The stone (toishi) has been lapped flat and the corners and edges beveled. I have not lacquered the side or back but I will be happy to do so at no extra costs using Deft Semi-Gloss Brushing Lacquer which is a thin but effective coat that sheds water.
 
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slurry stone, and a money back guarantee minus the return shipping.
 
Hardness                  9+
Grit Finness               9+
Speed/Cutting           5+++