Naniwa Traditional Water Stone for Hard Steels

For Woodworking Tools and Hard Steel Knives

This line of Traditional Water Stones from Naniwa is developed specifically for hard steels of the type found in woodworking tools as well as some specialty knives. This Hard Steel line of knives is a parallel line to the Naniwa Standard Traditional Stones, but they are made to be more aggressive on hard steels and with a harder binder to reduce stone wear. This specific formulation makes them practical for the demands of hard steels.

Traditional Naniwa Quality

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

Useful Size

Each stone measures 8 1/4" x 2 3/4" x 3/4" (210mm x 70mm x 20mm). This is a practical size for knives and for tools it is long enough to provide a comfortable sharpening stroke even with a honing guide, wide enough for even large handplane blades and thick enough to provide many years of sharpening.

Excellent Value

The Naniwa Standard Traditional Water Stones are an excellent balance between price and features. You 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.

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.

4000 Grit - This is a good choice for a final grit for knife sharpening, especially if you prefer a slightly toothy edge that cut with a saw-like action. It is also a good intermediate grit if you intend to proceed to a very fine finish from the 8000.

8000 Grit - This 8000 grit stone is extremely fine. This is a wonderful final stage for fine cutting knives or tool edges. This stones is also known as the Gouken Fuji Traditional Water Stone.