Hello and welcome to my website. This post will provide a basic understanding of Japanese sharpening stones (whetstones), in addition it provide a list of sources for procuring those items.
Japanese whetstones can be broken up into two major categories; synthetic stones (man made) and natural stones. I have a detailed post on Natural stones, so this post will focus mainly on synthetic stones.
Japanese synthetic stones form the basis of my sharpening system, they are used for everything from basic removal of material all the way on through the majority of polishing. The final polish being reserved for Japanese natural stones in most cases. I cover the detailed process that is sharpening in my classes, in this post I will cover the basic setup needed, in my experience, to begin sharpening effectively.
Synthetic water stones are mostly, now divided into ceramic stones and diamond matrix stones, but sometimes break into more detailed categories of those two groups.
This is my sharpening setup, I like working at approximately a counter height for my dimensions it provides me a comfortable work station. I’ve added excellent lighting to ensure that I can see burrs, damages and defects in my sharpening and of course see when those defects are removed.
On the left side of this station I have an anvil, it used for general purpose around the shop and for ura-dashi with a fixture. The large plate on the right is a granite surface plate and it is used for general checking of things, very handy item to have.
My process begins with a rough stone, I prefer to start at 400 grit and use it to remove wear from my edged tools. The stone on the right is a Naniwa Chosera 400 grit. I also sometimes use a Nano-Hone 70 micron (200 grit) which is shown on the left.
Next, if I want to polish the full bevel, I move through a series of progressively finer stones. Most of these are stones provided by Sayuri Suzuki under her brand but I’ve been experimenting with diamond matrix stones as well. I will use a 1500 grit, 3000 grit and 6000 grit stone in this process.
At this point, the next steps are determined entirely by the level of detail needed in the work at hand. Normally I move onto Japanese natural stones, however occasionally if the work calls for it I will next move to a fine synthetic such as this 10,000 grit from Sayuri or a 1 micron from nano-hone
I also have a Sigma 13000 Grit, this is another tool in the arsenal, which can be deployed in situations which call for it. I’ve actually used this as a finish stone for NYZ kez and pulled a very fine shaving with the resulting edge. It’s an excellent stone.
This lineup provides my basic kit and has served me well for a number of years now, sometimes sharpening individual blades ten or more times in a single day’s work. These stones will sharpen simple steels and complex steels all the same, so I have used them for white 1, K120, White 2, Blue 2, Blue 1, Super Blue, Super White, and in a very limited capacity Powdered metal steels and high speed steels. I have also used them on my western blades such as those antique steels in my Try and Jack planes, A2 steel, 01 steel and likely a few steels I’m long forgetting.