#204 OKUDO GIANT Shiro Suita

A massive and true grade 24 white suita. These overly large sized stones are nearly impossible to find in this quality, even in Japan. They are very useful if you are sharpening the wider 80mm kanna blades and this stone will last a
lifetime owing to the thickness and scale of the surface area.

The top surface shows particles of nashi-ji and the su/beehive pattern is very prominent and open. Each of these features aid in sharpening. The overall grain is very regular and even, typical of high grade stones.

This suita is from the deepest strata and because of the hardness of these highly compacted stones, some sharpening experience is necessary to get the full potential out of this stone. Using a diamond plate as a nagura does help and the slurry from a tomo nagura slurry also greatly advances the cutting speed and ease of use in these hard stones. There is one open pocket in the top surface and others may appear from time to time over the life of this stone. This one featured in the bottom photo I have simply taken a sharp nail and cleaned it out. It is a gas pocket that was formed as the stone was created and they do not affect the sharpening qualities of the stone if you just rinse them out of any loose particles.

The back of the stone is hand chiseled and shows patches of the outer skin or backing called kawa meaning bark.

The stone (toishi) has been lapped flat and the corners and edges beveled unless otherwise noted. All of my stones come with a tested and appropriately sized tomonaguara slurry stone, and a money back guarantee minus the return shipping.
 
Size  222-83-48
Weight 2107 grams  =  4lb. 10oz
Hardness                 5++
Finenes                    5+
Speed/Cutting         4 to 5+ with slurry
Price $2100