Thread: Naniwa waterstone 12K help?

Ok i m buying from SRD but are there any discount code for SRP members for buy it..

Regards.

Finally I Bought my naniwa 12000 from SRD ...
Thanks to all my good advisors..

Greetings to all..

The Superstones come in two different thicknesses: 10mm and 20mm (3/8"
& 3/4"). The thick ones are more expensive.

I have the 10K and the 12K Superstones. I'm not a pro, but so far I haven't been able to tell much difference.

So is the 12k Superstone magnesia or resin based? I thought the Chosera was the magnesia based one and the SS the resin based one using the same abrasives.

Originally Posted by cotdt

So is the 12k Superstone magnesia or resin based? I thought the Chosera was the magnesia based one and the SS the resin based one using the same abrasives.

I think you are right. It was my mistake.

The Naniwa abrasive company has made quite a few different stones.

The first thing to know is the mascot of the Naniwa company is a lobster.
That´s why you will always find that shrimp-ish looking thing on the naniwa stones.
Lobster in japanese is called "ebi".

The first series Naniwa produced has been called Naniwa "lobster",
or in japanese "ebi".
So sometimes confusingly any type of Naniwa Stone is being referred to as "ebi".

That particular series (sometimes called mircon as well, I believe) has been sintered and nothing to do with the outstanding naniwa stones we use today.

Rising, the Naniwa Company introduced the Naniwa Superstones, the Choseras, the "workstones" and one called junpaku.

The Superstones consist of white Al2O3 wich acts as abrasive and is bond in a resin type epoxy.
They come in bright colours and go up to 12.000.
These are the most common and most referred to hones.
Usually, when somebody speaks of Naniwa, he speaks about the Superstones.
I believe the superstones are the best polishing stones out there.
By that, I mean their ability to brightly polish a bevel.
They usually produce very even and shallow scratches for their particular grit size.
Sometimes these are available as combination stones in 800/5000 and 3000/8000
The superstones come in either 10mm or 20mm, wich has to be taken into consideration if calculating the price of a Stone.
Some vendors sell them glued to a plastic stand, others sell them as a brick.

The Chosera, or Chou-Cera (wich means super ceramics) are way more expensive.
These are believed to consist of white Al2O3 bond in chemically produced Magnesia (MgCO3).
These produce more pronounced scratches for their relative grit,
than the Superstones do. The scratches are wide, but not deep, so they can be polished out easily. They are better at sharpening, and somewhat quicker at removing metal, though. I find them less rubbery in the lower grit range, so I prefer these in the lower range like 1k and 5k,
while finishing and polishing is done with the 8k SS or 10k SS

The Chosera are availiable only up tp 5.000 and there is a special chocera that comes in 10.000, but is unbelievably expensive.
It pretty much looks like the Naniwa Super 10k, wich is only half the price.
To tell the difference 100%:
The superstones have the grit size written on one end of the stone,
combined with a "SS". So if the writing says "SS-10.000" it´s a superstone.


Then there is a low end working or homestone in 1000/3000.
Extremely cheap but ... well low end.

And one more speciality, the junpaku 8.000.
A pure white magnesia bond 8.000 hone with good polishing properties.
Has nothing to do with the Chocera line.
I totally prefer the 8k Superstone


Sooooo, if you are looking for a Naniwa Sharpening stone,
you either choose the Superstones, or the Chosera.
If the hone says neither the firts, nor the latter,
it maybe isn´t the stone you are looking for.

I see the OT found a reliable source for a stone and hope this helps other people =)