Next stones to buy for sharpening (?)

B

Bjorn1

Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
50
I have three Naniwa superstones; 220, 1000, 8000

I'm fairly happy with them although I'm jumping through grits too fast, I'm thinking.

I bought them since they were what I could reasonably afford. I've used them mainly to sharpen my kitchen knives (Hattori, Misono and assorted cheaper ones) Also have a stone holder and a diamond flattening block.

I've since branched into woodworking and general knives use (mainly due to purchasing a house) and have a Veritas mk II sharpening jig, mainly for chisels and plane blades, as well as a Hapstone sharpening jigs for knives (and axes?).

So I'm thinking perhaps I should add some more stones (?) since now I can afford some.

I'm very happy with the superstones, but I'm thinking I need a 3000 stone, and perhaps would like to have a 400 and a polishing stone at about 12000-15000.

I've looked at Naniwa chosera as an alternative for the 400 and 3000. I'm also looking tentatively at the Suehiro Gokumyo 15000 stone.

But I am happy with those superstones, and they'd be cheaper.

Also, for edge adjustment, repair and base sharpening of axes, used planes, stone working tools etc, perhaps the 220 Naniwa is a tad soft, and will swiftly be eaten away? Perhaps I could get something a lot stronger for that? There is a Gokumyo-Ryo at 300 that should work well with adjusting softer tools.

I'm also thinking I could ask your advise as to sharpening the harder knife steels like S90V, S30V and similar. Softer Naniwa superstones or harder Chosera? Something else entirely? Would like to stay with man made Japanese water stones, since it's a system I know I can use. Questions, questions.... :)
 
The Chosera stones are a completely different animal compared to the SS. Harder, faster cutting, less polishing and hardly any loading. They are IMO the very best waterstones. The 400 Chosera can be used for most coarse grinding needs but to really get some steel removed a atoma 140 or Nubatama bamboo 150 would be a good addition.

There is really not much need for stones past 5000 grit unless you sharpen straight razors all the time. It looks pretty but thats about where the advantages stop.

The Chosera stones are expensive but well worth the investment.
 
Found a fairly new type of Naniwa as well: Naniwa Hayabusa ceramic waterstone (4000) which has gotten at least one good review and is only $40...

Edit: the line is called Gouken
 
I don't know if that's a Naniwa stone unless it's VERY new. At that price point I would be guessing it's just a average stone and nothing special.
 
Another 400 grit option is the Sigma Power 400
1k King or Chosera
3k Chosera or Super Stone
5k Chosera, Shapton Pro, or just get a Jnat (Tsushima Nagura, ot Hakka for example) and be happy.
 
Jason B. said:
I don't know if that's a Naniwa stone unless it's VERY new. At that price point I would be guessing it's just a average stone and nothing special.
Click to expand...

It is very very new, was presented I trade shows in japan in 2013...

Managed to google translate Naniwas homepage and find it. It's also available from an online seller of tools and more, but I'm not sure about forum policy on posting a link. Will pm you the link so you can check it out.
 
mainaman said:
Another 400 grit option is the Sigma Power 400
1k King or Chosera
3k Chosera or Super Stone
5k Chosera, Shapton Pro, or just get a Jnat (Tsushima Nagura, ot Hakka for example) and be happy.
Click to expand...

You think a chosera is close to the superstones at 3k?
 
I wore out any number of soft Arkansas stones over the years. About two decades ago I switched to DMT diamond hones. Haven't worn them out yet, and they still work as well or better than when new. Plus they can handle so-called super steels with large carbide volumes that take forever to sharpen on natural stones. I reserve my ancient Black Arkansas bench stone for a few special high carbon blades.
 
Alberta Ed said:
I wore out any number of soft Arkansas stones over the years. About two decades ago I switched to DMT diamond hones. Haven't worn them out yet, and they still work as well or better than when new. Plus they can handle so-called super steels with large carbide volumes that take forever to sharpen on natural stones. I reserve my ancient Black Arkansas bench stone for a few special high carbon blades.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on diamond being sturdier, but it have to sharpen various softer plane blades and tools as well, and kitchen knives etc, so I think I'm sticking with a waterstone system, albeit a synthetic one. I've used water stones for five years freehand, and I think I'm just now getting the hang of them :) So not really wanting to switch.
 
Interesting stone, I see there are a few others too. I know the Chosera line is said to be getting a makeover but it's only been rumor thus far. If you like it try it, Naniwa makes stones for your exact needs so I doubt you will go wrong. Make sure to post a review, might need to get one myself :D
 
Jason B. said:
The Chosera stones are a completely different animal compared to the SS. Harder, faster cutting, less polishing and hardly any loading. They are IMO the very best waterstones. The 400 Chosera can be used for most coarse grinding needs but to really get some steel removed a atoma 140 or Nubatama bamboo 150 would be a good addition.

There is really not much need for stones past 5000 grit unless you sharpen straight razors all the time. It looks pretty but thats about where the advantages stop.

The Chosera stones are expensive but well worth the investment.
Click to expand...

I agree, chosera 3000 or 5000 will be optimal for kitchen knives
 
Jason B. said:
Interesting stone, I see there are a few others too. I know the Chosera line is said to be getting a makeover but it's only been rumor thus far. If you like it try it, Naniwa makes stones for your exact needs so I doubt you will go wrong. Make sure to post a review, might need to get one myself :D
Click to expand...

Well, I've ordered it, it was really cheap. Still on the fence about a new 300/400 grit stone. Perhaps a Gokumyo Ryu 300soft/300hard combo stone would be a great buy but it sure is a bigger wad of cash... Almost twice as much as the chosera.
 
Bjorn1 said:
Well, I've ordered it, it was really cheap. Still on the fence about a new 300/400 grit stone. Perhaps a Gokumyo Ryu 300soft/300hard combo stone would be a great buy but it sure is a bigger wad of cash... Almost twice as much as the chosera.
Click to expand...

so, let us know how is it :)
 
Got it in the mail, tried it out. First impression is: should probably cost more.

Seems harder than my superstones. Will try it out more and post something on it.
 
The new Naniwa line of stones are called the Gouken and so far I have found the following:

Gouken "Fierce Warrior" 220 grit
Gouken "Kuroto" 1000 grit
Gouken "Hayabusa" 4000 grit
Gouken "Fuji" 8000 grit

Most of the info was gleaned from one guy on the B&B Shaving Forum that got his hands on the 1k, 4k, and 8, and wrote up his review here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/398978-Love-First-Sight-New-4k-amp-8k

and here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/401897-New-1k-Arrived

I'm a complete noob to knife sharpening and don't even have a stone however I'm looking around and these caught my eye. @Bjorn1 where did you get your Gouken Hayabusa 4000 grit? I'd love to buy a set as they seem priced better than the Naniwa Chosera and perform as good or better.

Thanks,
Michael
 
Last edited:
I bought the stone from toolsfromjapan. Shop operating from Japan... Very sensible prices, and very sensible freight costs, though it may take a while for them to get the items sent since they seem to operate a slim inventory.
 
Hey Bjorn1 thanks! They have the 1K "Kuroto", the 4K and the 8K for very good prices. I updated my post to show the correct name for the 1K.

Michael
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top