Japanese Naniwa hones

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Naniwa ‘Super Stones’

I’m very pleased to say that we now have in stock a new range of Japanese-made razor hones, the ‘Super Stone’ manufactured by the Naniwa Abrasive Manufacturing Company of Osaka.

I have had these Super Stones on trial recently and can say without any doubt that they are first-class razor hones. The Grit range is 1k, 3k, 5k, 8k, 10k and now the new 12k and, especially when used in progression , these stones give a truly impressive mirror-like finish to the cutting edge. And there are several more plus-points too:

All the stones are full size bench stones measuring 210 x 70 x 10 mm ( approx. 8.25” x 2.75” x 0.4”) and are bonded to a plastic base fitted with anti-slip ‘button’ feet. This size makes honing that bit easier as the full length of the blade can be set on the stone, doing away with the need to ‘x-pattern’ the honing action.

There’s no need to soak before use as with many other waterstones - nor do the stones need to be stored in water. Just wet them down with fresh water and you’re ready to go. Then just add water as needed - they are porous but use little water when compared to other types of ‘waterstone’.

They’re easily kept clean. Anyone with experience of honing knows that a lot of waterstones tend to ‘load up’, leading to black markings that are in fact the steel residue left behind by the honing action. This clogs the stone surface, requiring the use of a ‘nagura’ or rubbing stone to clean them up and return them to optimum performance. The Super Stones can be cleaned using just a common nylon pan scourer - the green’n’yellow type that can be purchased almost anywhere seem to work best. Of course if you like using a Nagura stone that’s fine - we have them here. Don’t forget though that the stone will also benefit from being lapped from time to time using either ‘wet’n’dry’ paper on a glass sheet or a proprietary lapping stone.

So how do they compare to the other stones we sell - the Belgian Blue and the Belgian Yellow Coticule?

It’s true to say that you will find it hard to beat a BBW or coticule for versatility - the response to pressure that can be achieved means that very fine edges can be had. However, A ‘BBW’ or a ‘Coti’ won’t handle a really dull blade too well -they simply aren’t made for the job. Also, in my opinion the Super Stones score heavily in two areas: ease of use and care and - perhaps inevitably - cost. Full-size BBW’s and especially coticules are expensive and - if you only hone your own razor periodically - can be a bit more costly than you would like. Super Stones are not cheap but in comparison are far more affordable and, especially for beginners, easier to use.

Obviously these stones can be used to hone almost any edged tool - chisels, plane irons and the like - and this does increase their versatility but it is for razors that I think these hones are absolutely ideal - and I’m please to be able to offer them to my customers!

PS - click here for a transcript of an independent article written about these stones that appeared in ‘Popular Woodworker’ - although the sizes mentioned are slightly different to those stated above, they are the self-same hones!

There are many other hones out in the marketplace with higher grit ratings than the ‘top of the tree’ 12k Super Stone - some with truly stratospheric grit figures - and no doubt these give a superlative edge. Yet, to someone who wants a hone or hone set that is forgiving, easy to maintain and - importantly! - produces first-class results, I think the Super Stones are hard to beat.

So what are they made of - and how?

Super Stones are manufactured in the Naniwa plant in Osaka from white fused aluminium powder, formed by chemical reaction bonding. What reaction? Well, sorry - that’s a trade secret! According to Naniwa Technical, the real trick is to produce a stone that isn’t too hard - as some of the so-called ‘ceramics’ (a term not used in Japan for these specific products) that can cause slippage of the blade edge, yet not so soft as to wear prematurely - despite giving a very ‘fast’ cutting medium. Incidentally, the word ‘waterstone’ isn’t used there either, just ‘whetstone’! So the Super Stones are made to a balance of hardness versus cutting power that works extremely well, as has been proved to me under workshop conditions.

In summary, I would not hesitate to recommend these hones for use on straight razors or indeed any fine-edged tool - with a little practice they will reward the user with outstanding results and doubtless have a long service life.

3k (3,000) grit stone - much smoother in ‘feel’ to the 1k grit stone, this hone is ideal for use on blades where, although the edge may be a little rough, there is not a great deal of metal to be removed in order to restore a continuous and smooth edge. Also good at bevel setting.

5k (5,000) grit stone. Excellent for beginning the real high-polishing work, this stone gives good feedback and cuts quickly for a hone that leaves such a good, fine polish. A good hone for use with any blade that has merely become dull with use or perhaps has a ‘turned’ edge from a stropping mistake - it will rapidly restore the edge, leaving the way for the higher grit stones to do their work.

8k (8,000) grit stone. A superb polish is easily attained with use of this stone on a ‘progressively’ honed edge - quite remarkable for 8k grit. Can also be used as a slightly more aggressive hone than the 10k grit in situations where maintenance honing is being carried out and the edge is a little too rough to benefit fully from the 10k hone.

10k (10,000) grit stone. This hone leaves a mirror-like finish on the edge that holds good even using a 30x jeweller’s loupe (if done properly of course!). A very smooth, buttery hone with plenty of ‘feel’, this has to be the best 10k hone I have ever used!

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The size of these bench hones does away with the need to perform the ‘x-pattern’ honing technique necessary with narrower hones. The hone itself is securely bonded to a rugged plastic base that is fitted with anti-skid feet, keeping everything where it should be during the honing process.

£39.15

Kingdom

£44.45

£47.45

£47.95

1k (1,000) grit stone - ideal for rapid metal removal from ragged edges, chip and ‘ding’ removal, and setting a new bevel to the razor’s edge. Progressive stone with good ‘feel’, this grit leaves a satin finish much smoother than many comparable hones.

All Naniwa hones that we sell come bonded to a sturdy plastic stand and are supplied in a cardboard outer. If several different hones are purchased at once, they will normally be sent individually packed - this keeps within postal weight limits and lessens the risk of damage. All stones are shipped using the appropriate level of postal insurance.

£43.79

Kingdom

£49.09

£52.09

£52.59

£49.87

Kingdom

£55.17

£58.17

£58.67

£53.78

Kingdom

£59.08

£62.08

£62.58

£57.54

Kingdom

£62.84

£65.84

£66.34

Remember - the price you see is the price you pay - no hidden extras!

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12k (12,000) grit stone. This is the ultimate Naniwa super stone for superfine edges. I’ve now had chance to use it and it adds to an already superb finish given by the 10k stone above. Ideal for quickly restoring a used edge to a degree of sharpness that is surely hard to rival. Excellent!

STOCK

£63.21

Kingdom

£68.51

£71.51

£72.01

By popular demand we are now stocking Japanese ‘Nagura’ rubbing stones, suitable for use with the above Naniwa Super Stones. Whilst a pan scourer can be used to clean and refresh the surface of these stones, feedback from customers says that a good session with one of these rubbing stones will bring your Naniwa right back to pristine condition. They can of course be used on most types of Japanese waterstones. Size approx. 2.75” x 0.75” x 0.75”

£3.99

Kingdom

£4.20

£4.99

£5.20

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NEW! Chinese 12k waterstones - limited stock - click here!

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