http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/natrual-honeswhetstoneswaterstones Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:08:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/natrual-honeswhetstoneswaterstones#post-237 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:23:19 +0000 JimR 237@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I have a rather eccentric hobby, using and collecting traditional straight razors (both Western and Japanese) and as part of that I am very interested in Japanese natural whetstones/hones (天然砥石）, which are considered the best in the world for creating a superb edge on any kind of blade (think about how sharp those legendary swords have to be!). </p> <p>Kyoto has been the center of mining and distributing these stones for centuries, and I was wondering if anyone here had ideas about any shops dealing in them, or even better a museum dedicated to these stones? I'd love to learn more about them, and living in Yamaguchi-ken I have little chance to do so.</p> <p>Any help would be greatly appreciated!</p> <p>Thanks,<br /> Jim </p>