Dieter Schmid - Fine Tools
	Georg-Wilhelm-Str. 7 A - 10711 Berlin - Germany Tel ++49 (0)30 342 1757 - Fax ++49 (0)30 342 1764 Website: www.fine-tools.com

Dieter Schmid - Fine Tools Georg-Wilhelm-Str. 7 A - 10711 Berlin Tel ++49 30 342 1757 - Fax ++49 30 342 1764 Website: www.fine-tools.com

Overview Sharpening Tools Using Japanese Waterstones Which waterstone should I choose?

Japanese Waterstones: Shapton

Japanese Waterstones: KING and SUN TIGER Japanese Waterstones: SUEHIRO and CERAX Japanese Waterstones: NANIWA Japanese Waterstones: Combination Stones, Sickle Stones, Sculpture's Whet Stones

The Japanese waterstone manufacturer SHAPTON, from Nabatame, Tochigi Province, makes the hardest stones. In contrast to almost all of the other brands, Shapton stones remain tend to remain flat longer and so must be dressed much less often than the others. SHAPTON sharpening stones shine when using them to rough-sharpen an edge and for their ability to quickly reach an effective edge. The sharpening process feels very different than working on softer stones. One can feel the relative hardness of the Shapton stones, and it is difficult to avoid repeatedly looking at the stone in use to see if it is really wearing away. But it does, and quickly too! The 120-grit stone cuts about as quickly as the 240-grit SUN TIGER from Matsunaga, and, as noted above, holds its flat surface much longer. One can make the rougher stones cut still more quickly if one uses a little more pressure than is usual with softer stones. The 1000-grit SHAPTON stone cuts quicker than the traditional Japanese 1000-grit stones, but when one examines the edge with a microscope, one finds that the edge appears somewhat rougher than after using a traditional 800-grit stone. In contrast to the traditional, and CERAX, 8000-grit waterstones, the Shapton 8000-grit polishes very little, instead leaving a very fine matt surface. Whether that influences the final practical sharpness cannot as yet be determined, but it is well known that even some of the finest and most expensive Japanese natural stones also do not leave a mirror surface, and the final sharpness that can be achieved with those stones is justly famous. NOTE: The line of Shapton stones we offer is the professional series. Enlargements and further directions for use. Please read these directions. There one will discover, among many other things, why Shapton Stones should not be left sitting in water any longer than absolutely necessary. Beyond that important point, one can find the answers to many other good questions about these stones. The manufacturer of these stones provides this advice on the choice of proper grain sizes for the different stages of sharpening various kinds of tools and common steels. But the advice is meant only to provide general guidelines for using the stones. If one has different ideas, or experience with these kinds of stones, or has found different directions from other expert sources, then one should take those things into consideration when choosing which stones to purchase. Waterstones do wear concave with use and require periodic re-flattening. Our flattening stones will do this job. A flat stone is indispensable for effective sharpening, especially with flat blades like chisels and plane irons.

SHAPTON Coarse Stone white Grain size: 120 Professional series for grinding down notches and restoring blades Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310960 Price: € 42.00

SHAPTON Coarse Stone moss Grain size: 220 Professional series for grinding down notches, restoring blades, very dull blades Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310961 Price: € 42.00

SHAPTON Coarse Stone blue-black Grain size: 320 Professional series for grinding down notches, restoring blades, very dull blades Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310962 Price: € 42.00

SHAPTON Sharpening Stone orange Grain size: 1000 Professional series for fast sharpening Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310963 Price: € 43.00

SHAPTON Sharpening Stone blue Grain size: 1500 Professional series for fine sharpening Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310964 Price: € 47.00

SHAPTON Sharpening Stone green Grain size: 2000 Professional series for fine sharpening Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310965 Price: € 49.00

SHAPTON Honing Stone dark red (wine) Grain size: 5000 Professional series for removing the burr after sharpening Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310966 Price: € 67.00

SHAPTON Honing Stone melon Grain size: 8000 Professional series for removing the burr after sharpening Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310967 Price: € 79.00

SHAPTON Honing Stone cream Grain size: 12000 Professional series for removing the burr after sharpening Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310968 Price: € 88.00 Directions for using this 12000-grit stone

SHAPTON Honing Stone purple Grain size: 30000 Professional series for removing the burr after sharpening Size: 210 mm x 70 mm x 15 mm Order nr. 310969 Price: € 439.00 Directions for using this 30000-grit stone