Thread: American vs. Japanese Grit numbers

Hello all,

I have tried looking this up on google and this forum to no avail. However I once read that there is a difference between the grits used in Japan and in USA. Something like a 4k Japan is like a 1k in the USA. I wanted to know because I have a 1k Lansky stone (http://www.google.com/products/catal...CH0Q8wIwCDgA#p) that I use to sharpen my survival knifes, is this like a 4k Japanese waterstone? (I know that in Japan they actually dont use grits sometimes, but have categories instead)

Would a chinese 12k stone (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...fcode=05INFROO) suffice in keeping my razor sharp when it gets slightly dull? (I know the chinese stone is slow cutting).

Thanks and have a great day.