Thread: Naniwa Snow White/Chosera Cracking

I recall reading somewhere that the re-branding and formulation of the Naniwa line was in part, because of the crazing/cracking. And particularly the 8k. Which was why they still made some stones in both configurations, for Japan and some for export.

I have several Chosera stones and the only one that is crazed, is the 8k Junpaku Snow White, original. I cannot feel the crazing with my fingers or with a razor and it has not affected performance, it is a great 8k polisher. The bottom, label side is fine, not a single crack.

I do not soak, splash water with a squirt bottle and air dry on edge in a wooded plate rack, it rarely gets fully dry. It is a couple years old.

I have thought of buying another, just in case they decide to stop making this one, though. I would keep it boxed until and if, this one started giving me problems, I doubt I will wear it out, it is hard.

Just to make sure we're all talking about the same stone, I am talking about the original IF-001 Junpaku. There's a newer version, allegedly a little softer and coarser, the T-380. I have no experience with the T-380.

Cheers, Steve

That's what I thought too, but one of our members got the new/rebranded series and his Pro stones crazed almost immediately. I suppose there's only so much they can do without changing the function/feel of the stones. And I'm sure Naniwa doesn't want to do that.

“Just to make sure we're all talking about the same stone, I am talking about the original IF-001 Junpaku.”

Yup, same one I have, great stone.

I've used that 8K snow white for years not a single crack I just spray and go clean off any swarf then dry with towel store a dry wooden box with my other Chosera stones 1K, 3K, 5K, never soak any of them spray and go for me, the Snow white is the one with a large prawn or Shrimp printed on the stone mine as well and truly long gone through use and lapping, it's a very fine polishing stone and I would have no problem going from this 8K to my 20K .

I have my Junpaku, the original one with the shrimp, for five months now. No cracks or anything so far. I soak it for a minute or two since it's so thirsty. After use I clean it and lean it against the wall by the sink. I lap it with an Atoma.

I've been using mine now for over a year without any issues, mine is not thirsty at all. Spray and go is all it needs, have read that some are very thirsty and some aren't, makes me wonder.