Michibiki – uncompromising synthetic stone from Kyoto

Tanaka Toishi (Kyoto, Japan)

Grit: 3000 grit
Content: Green silicon carbide, often called “Green Carbon.”
Weight: 757 grams
Dimensions: 222 x 85 x 28 mm
Type: Soaking stone. Soak for 10–15 minutes before use.

Michibiki is a new, premium Japanese series developed by Tanaka Toishi, the same company that manages the mineral rights to the legendary Nakayama mine for natural stones. The series is made for knife enthusiasts who seek uncompromising performance: superior cutting properties, precise feel, and a finish that approaches natural stone. Michibiki produces an unusually smooth, uniform, and hazy kasumi on laminated steel, something rare among synthetic stones.

“These stones consists of the highest performing materials, and nothing is added to the stone that doesnt need to be there.”
Quote: Tanaka san, during our visit to Kyoto (September 2025)

By this, Tanaka means that the formula is optimized for performance, not price. A high proportion of expensive abrasive grains and a carefully selected binder provide fast material removal, clear feedback, and minimal tendency to “glaze” over. The stone is expensive. The performance is absolute.

White or Green stone, which should you choose?

• White (WA / White Alumina): All-round, controlled material removal, fantastic on stainless steel as the stone provides a clean, even surface and holds its shape well.
• Green (GC / Green Silicon Carbide): More aggressive, bites hard even on tough steels and is known for fast material removal and a fine, uniform kasumi during polishing.

Why?

• WA (white aluminum oxide) is often used in medium and finer grits because it cuts quickly but controllably and wears slowly – especially good on stainless steels.
• GC (green silicon carbide, often called “Green Carbon/GC”) has harder and sharper grains that remove material quickly, perfect when you want to remove material or enhance contrast in kasumi.

How they feel to use

• Soft but firm feel: Michibiki has a relatively high amount of abrasive grains and less binder, which provides fast material removal with a stable feel.
• Even scratch pattern: Scratches are quickly blurred between stages, and softer steels are left with a smooth, hazy kasumi (especially Green/GC).
• Soaking: 10–15 minutes before sharpening.
• Long-lasting & usually larger format than many standard stones, providing a comfortable “platform” and stable angle control.

Recommended choices by need

• 320 grit
  Fast thinning and repair of chips. Choose Green GC 320 for maximum material removal or the white WA 320 if you are looking for a slightly “kinder” cut that is still very fast and holds its shape better.
• 1000 grit
  Basic kitchen sharpness, daily service:
  - White WA 1000 for a clean, toothy base edge on stainless steel; Green GC 1000 when you want more “bite” and faster work on tougher steels. Green 1000 grit produces incredibly uniform kasumi; we at Cleancut are absolutely amazed by the sharpening power and the even kasumi this stone creates.
• 2000–3000 grit
  Polishing the edge and kasumi:
  - White WA 3000 for a clean, dense finish on the edge; Green GC 2000/3000 when you want to combine speed with hazy kasumi on laminated steel.