The Hitohira Natsuya White (#2) is a natural Japanese whetstone sourced from the Natsuya mine. Its light gray to white surface features small natural mineral inclusions, while the inscriptions 夏屋砥 and 白 identify the Natsuya and this white variant, respectively. As with any natural whetstone, the color, texture, and performance may vary slightly from one piece to another.
The Natsuya is primarily intended for sharpening and intermediate finishing of Japanese knives. Unlike a synthetic stone with a precisely calibrated grain size, a natural stone has a more complex abrasive structure. It is therefore best to assess its actual performance on steel rather than directly assigning it a synthetic grit equivalent.
In use, this stone provides gradual contact with the steel and develops an abrasive slurry as you work. This interaction allows you to control the evolution of the edge and the blade’s surface, particularly when working on bevels and finishing touches. As with all natural stones, the cutting speed, the feel under the blade, and the finish obtained may vary depending on the type of steel used, the pressure applied, and the amount of slurry present.
No prolonged soaking is required. Simply moisten the surface before and during sharpening. After use, gently rinse the stone, remove any metal residue as needed, and let it air dry completely before storing it. Avoid leaving it submerged in water, and keep the stone away from sudden temperature changes.
