Japanese Sword polishing stones including a small block of UCHIGUMORI to allow restoration / repair of a traditional blade. This set of finishing stones can be used after using wet-&-Dry sandpaper wrapped around a block as is frequently employed outside of Japan. This set of traditional, Genuine Japanese polishing stones has been assembled to give the novice or intermediate blade polisher the best chance of success in revealing the HAMON , temper line on a traditional Japanese blade without the cost of obtaining every grade of foundation polishing stones.

 This set of Genuine stones help the restorer to reveal  the unique details of a Traditional Japanese blade that is otherwise hidden when only modern abrasives are employed from beginning to end .** if using the wet & dry abrasive paper method wrapped around a flat block, these finishing stones  can be used after grade 2500-3500 for example, but may differ from blade to blade.

What's included.
***Item images show the exact stones you will receive*** (pics 1-9) stones only . 


NATURAL STONES.   
these stone help to bring out the temper line & grain pattern on a traditional Japanese blade. No artificial substitute can be used for this stage & beyond 

1. laquer mounted HAZUYA (grey) These stones are used to lighten the blade & reveal the Temper line |(HAMON) 

2. Laquer mounted JIZUYA ( reddish-Orange) These stones are used to darken the blade & further reveal the different areas of the cutting face (JI) of the blade

3. Laquer mounted NARUTAKI (also a form of JIZUYA) from the Nakayama mountain in Japan, considered the finest JIZUYA for polishing a blade due to it's fine particle make up & ability to cut steel effectively.

4. A small block of UCHIGUMORI, this is used to create a white, milk like slurry when a piece of Hazuya is rubbed across it's flat surface with a little water. 
This white slurry is used directly on the blade with the HAZUYA stone & helps to lighten the blade & reveal the HAMON, temper line, prior to using the JIZUYA, final  stone.

5. Also included is a measure of Iron-oxide-black powder to make( NUGUI ) = a black paste when mixed with a little vegetable oil. This is rubbed along the blade to further darken it & highlight the Grain of the blade & bring out other surface details. 

*** You will need to obtain some SODIUM CARBONATE  to mix with the water when using these stones. This makes the Water Alkaline & prevents the blade from rusting during the polishing process.
I use a 1 litre plastic container with around 1 heaped tablespoon of Sodium Carbonate when polishing blades, as a guide for how much you will need.  For example, 1 kilo will last me many projects. ! 

 Please see the images of the natural stones in this set, These are the actual (natural) stones you will receive & the sizes & weight is shown in the images .
 
These final grade stones are the Genuine traditionally used stones & not artificial.  I have pictured a few pages from the excellent work "The craft of the Japanese sword" by Leon & Hiroko Kapp which discusses the entire final polishing process in detail. I would strongly recommend finding a copy of this book as it has much useful & practical information if you are embarking on this area of restoration. 

IMPORTANT ! 
As with all valuable antiques it is strongly recommended to practice on something worthless to gain experience before attempting to touch something with any value.

*please see final images*,
 this was my first attempt on a badly chipped WAKAZASHI & a SANKAKU-YARI with a set of stones identical to these 
this wakazashi / yari are not included with the stones but shows the effect they have on the traditional folded / tempered steel .  

thanks for looking