Shapton Kuromaku Series/Ceramic Whetstone #1000

Shapton is one of the most reputable and highly-recommended whetstone makers in the world, and that’s a testament to their quality. The Shapton Kuromaku series (often called “Shapton Pro” in the west) are versatile, professional-quality whetstones that are also suitable for beginners. This whetstone is suitable for many home applications, including sharpening kitchen knives, planer blades, chisels, axes, and more. A 1000 grit whetstone is generally all most people need. However, if you want a razor-sharp blade with a fine polish, it’s recommended to follow-up a 1000 grit sharpening with a 4000-6000 grit finishing. In addition, if your blade is very damaged or dull, it’s recommended to repair the blade on a coarse stone (200-800 grit) before sharpening on a 1000 grit stone. If your blades are in decent condition and just need general regular sharpening and maintainence, all you’ll need is a 1000 grit stone. Instructions: Soak the stone for 5 minutes before the first use. Soak for 30 seconds before subsequent uses (optional). Finish your knife on the stone, occasionally sprinkling water to keep the stone wet. Wash and dry your knife. Gently rinse your whetstone under clean water and air-dry completely before storing.