Naniwa Standard Traditional Water Stone

Naniwa is known for making quality water stones. The Naniwa Standard Traditional Water Stone is no exception. If you're looking for a quality water stone, the Naniwa Standard Traditional offers tremendous value in a full-sized stone.

Each stone measures 8 1/4" x 2 3/4" x 3/4" (210mm x 70mm x 20mm). The stone is thick enough to provide many years of sharpening.

The Naniwa Standard Traditional Water Stones are an excellent balance between price and features. You still get the quality and attention that Naniwa gives all their stones, but don't have to pay the higher price of their more expensive lines of stones. Unlike the Advance Super Stones, these have a traditional bonding that absorbs water. We recommend soaking before use. The coarser grits readily absorb water while the finer grits don't require as much soaking prior to use.

Made in Japan.

Available in the following grits:

220 Grit - This grit is excellent for establishing a new bevel angle on a tool or knife. We also recommend it for sharpening extremely dull or nicked blades. The 220 grit sharpens very quickly.

1000 Grit - This stone is a very popular grit choice because it starts to refine the edge. This stone is an excellent follow-up after using the 220 stone. If your edge isn't very worn, you don't need to start any coarser than this. At price and grit, this is one of the best values in sharpening stones.

1500 Grit - This stone is an alternative to the 1000 grit. It is slightly finer and will leave a bit more refined edge.

2000 Grit - This grit is popular with those who like to use just one or two total grits in sharpening. It is fine enough to leave a decent cutting edge that will be a bit toothy with a more saw-like cutting action, but coarse enough to be used on knives that have only just begun to lose cutting ability. It is also popular as a middle grit to continue the refining process before proceeding to finer grits for a more razor like edge.

6000 Grit - This is yet another good choice as a final grit for many tools and knives. This stone works very well after you've used the 1000 or 1500 grit, and is fine enough to be considered a polished edge.

8000 Grit - This 8000 grit stone is extremely fine. This is a wonderful final stage for most knives or tool edges. It differs in feel and cost from the rest of the line of Naniwa Standard Traditional Water Stones. The pure white color also gives you the most visual feedback when sharpening. It technically does absorb water, but does not absorb water like the other stones in the line, this stone polishes well and is worthy of the price difference. This stone replaces Naniwa's previous traditional 8000 grit stone often called the Snow White.