Saeki-yama - Aoto - 3,942g
$450.00
Skip to product information
Saeki-yama - Aoto - 3,942g
$450.00
0 in stock
Ken Schwartz's personal Aoto, which he describes in a Facebook post as "One of the hardest and finest aoto I've used".
A massive, 3,942-gram Tanba Aoto stone from the Saiechi / Saeki mine, with a very clean working face — one of the largest stones in our collection.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Printed label reads 丹波國特産 本山佐伯砥 田中精選 ("Tanba Province specialty, Saeki whetstone, Tanaka-selected") |
| Mine | Saeki-yama (佐伯), Tanba — per printed label |
| Type | Japanese Natural Whetstone |
| Strata | Aoto (sharpening stone) |
| Weight | 3,942g |
| Measurements | 23 x 8.25 x 8.25cm |
| Inventory | PW-A-030 (Bin B) |
| Provenance | Ken Schwartz storage unit -- See "Provenance" below for details |
Notes
- This stone carries only its original printed dealer label (丹波國特産 本山佐伯砥 田中精選); no additional handwriting or markings are present.
- Ken Schwartz talks about this specific stone's characteristics and history in a post from July 26, 2014 on his Facebook:
"Saiechi Aoto This one isn't for sale at this time but part of my personal collection. One of the hardest and finest aoto I've used. More of a polishing stone in character. Suitable for final finish on knives and hard enough IMO for straight razors.
While I do have bigger aoto, I don't have any finer grit and harder aoto, so for me this is a very unique stone. I just finished doing a Murray Carter knife with this stone for a customer using this stone as a final finish. It EASILY push cut 2 inches out, something I don't see on synthetic stones of MUCH finer grit. It seems to have been a good marriage of stone and steel.
This particular stone was cut MANY years ago by Tanaka-san's grandfather and hand finished by him so it is of particular value to me for both historical and functional reasons."
Condition
- Stone: Working face is very clean with no visible cracks or chips.
- Please review the pictures of this stone prior to purchase. Make sure to closely check the raking light photograph to examine the features of the working face. When in doubt, contact Pacific Waterstone.
Shipping
Orders are typically processed and shipped same day from Santa Maria, CA.
Every stone ships in a new, high-quality box, individually wrapped in bubble wrap and packing paper for maximum protection in transit.
Please reach out with any questions before or after purchase — happy to help.
Return policy
At Pacific Waterstone, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every stone we sell.
Incorrect or Mislabeled Items
If you receive an item that is mislabeled, damaged, or significantly mischaracterized in its listing, we will make it right. You may return the item for a full refund or exchange with no restocking fees, and we will cover all return shipping costs.
Standard Returns
If you change your mind or wish to return an item for any other reason:
- Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original, unused condition with all original packaging.
- A 10% restocking fee applies to cover processing costs.
- Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
To initiate a return, please contact us with your order number and the reason for your request.
Provenance
Everything we carry comes from the personal collection of Ken Schwartz — the sharpener behind Precise Sharpening, who built the Nubatama line and gathered the naturals that sat beside it on his bench. The synthetics are new and unused. The naturals were his.