Thread: Naniwa Snow White/Chosera Cracking

I appreciate some members have had some crazing on their Naniwa stones. I do not use my Naniwa's professionally, however I've been using a 1k Chosera for many years with no issues. I have used superstones from 2k,3k,5k,8k and 10k and also can report no issues with them. That is five trouble free years. You might recall a video of gssixgun's from five or six years ago, where he dunks his stones for five or so minutes before use. Well, I have done the exact same thing, since I began honing, and have had no dramas at all. I don't follow any ritual as far as how they dry, I just leave them on the floor to dry naturally. I think it must have something to do with the climate. I am on Australia's east coast, with no real extremes of weather, so I can't offer a view on why it happens to those folk who refer to this problem. I'll just keep up doing my Naniwa's the same way I've always done, with the dunking in water for five minutes, then when done, just putting them down to dry out naturally. If I ever do have a problem I'll certainly let everyone know.

One thing to add.
I believe that the 10k Chosera can be used dry.
The 5k is a bit tricky because it cracks if soaked, or at leased mine did. Yet it is the most thirsty of stones.
In saying that, the 5k is pure quality in its effects.
Very soft and fast.
If I was rich and from the 1600's I would say, "It is but a sheer delight to use"

I have s snow white with a lot of cracks and 5k chosera with too many cracks, I always spray them when I used them. I always left them drying overnight right after used, so I do not think, not having ventilated plastics boxes like those by Shapton makes a difference. I think it is a manufacture issue. I have other Chosera stones the 400, 600, 800, 1k and 3k and they are fine.

Maybe it's worth approaching Naniwa Abrasives and see if it's some sort of batch issue. There are too many users with these cracking or crazing problems. As I mentioned earlier I've used Chosera and superstones for more than five years, soaking them, doing nothing remotely as far as treating them in any careful way. I've followed gssixgun's video the whole time I've been using straights and I won't be changing anything. As far as climate goes, coldest mornings in winter wouldn't get below 4Celsius, and hottest day in summer of 42-43 Celsius. We do have high humidity most of the time. I'm close to Onimaru55, as far as climate is concerned, like an hour and a half drive. I'm on my second set of superstones and never had a drama.

I've said it before & I'll say it again. My Shapton pro HNK stones get wiped with a sponge, put in their boxes & stacked. My Choceras get wiped & put on the bench out of the sun. No cracks, no crazing . Everything in our house goes mouldy except the stones

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.

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.

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