Asano Stamped Botan Nagura Toishi
Authentic Mikawa Nagura bench-stones, or Toishi, are not all that common. This one is exceedingly rare in that it is fairly large with a nice rectangular shape and it has been stamped by Asano .
When dry – the color is white with some lines running through it. When wet it turns a nice amber color. This is a very consistent slab of Botan – which is probably what gave the quarry the idea to cut it into a slab instead of the smaller chunks we see most of the time.
This Botan was probably intended to go to a Togishi or sword polisher, or perhaps a traditional carpenter. My needs are somewhat different though; this stone is my favorite bevel-setting stone for straight razors. It has good speed, and great feedback. I use a smaller piece of Botan to raise slurry most of the time. I like the idea of a Botan Tomo Nagura.
Approx. Dimensions: 7.1 x 2.9 x 1.1” / 180 x 74 x 28mm
Weight: 28.2 oz / 800 g
