Thread: naniwa stones

Three questions about Naniwa Superstones -
1. Do they cut faster than a Norton?
2. How much lapping does it take to get them flat, and how often do you need to lap these? I know they're fairly soft, does that mean they need lapping more often than, say, a Norton?
3. Where is the cheapest place to buy a full set? (I know I could Google this myself, but I figured someone on here will have bought the entire set from somewhere so I might as well ask).

well mosley, those are pretty much the questions i was beating around the bush to. lolol

Originally Posted by mosley59

Three questions about Naniwa Superstones -
1. Do they cut faster than a Norton?
2. How much lapping does it take to get them flat, and how often do you need to lap these? I know they're fairly soft, does that mean they need lapping more often than, say, a Norton?
3. Where is the cheapest place to buy a full set? (I know I could Google this myself, but I figured someone on here will have bought the entire set from somewhere so I might as well ask).

I don't know that they cut faster but I would say as fast. Like holli4 says there is a feel to them that I like very much.

I have found lapping them to be easy and relatively quick. I spray mine with water and walk away for 5 minutes and then return and lap. I think this softens the surface up a bit but I'm not sure about that.

I bought the 20mm thick superstones from a vendor in Germany here. It was more expensive and the shipping was costly but I figure they will last me the rest of my life so it was worth it to me. SRD is probably as good a place to order from in the USA as any.

I would suggest the 1k, 3k, 5k, 8k, and 12k for superlative results. Others may have a different routine.

Hi Guys,

At this time the only combination Naniwa Super Stone is the 3K/8K.

Thanks,

Lynn

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I don't know that they cut faster but I would say as fast. Like holli4 says there is a feel to them that I like very much.

I have found lapping them to be easy and relatively quick. I spray mine with water and walk away for 5 minutes and then return and lap. I think this softens the surface up a bit but I'm not sure about that.

I bought the 20mm thick superstones from a vendor in Germany here. It was more expensive and the shipping was costly but I figure they will last me the rest of my life so it was worth it to me. SRD is probably as good a place to order from in the USA as any.

I would suggest the 1k, 3k, 5k, 8k, and 12k for superlative results. Others may have a different routine.

the superstones behave better when you actually soak them for 10-15 min.
As far as vendors for 2 cm thick ones , there are a few , two in US, one in japan with free shipping.

Originally Posted by mainaman

the superstones behave better when you actually soak them for 10-15 min.

Is that from personal experience, or did you read it somewhere, or both? If from personal experience, how did you test it?

From chat:
(1:20:04 PM) Lynn: You can spray them down....wait a few minutes and then respray if you like the feeling. Soaking can damage those stones
(1:20:24 PM) holli4: can i quote you on that, lynn?
(1:20:31 PM) Lynn: yep

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is that from personal experience, or did you read it somewhere, or both? If from personal experience, how did you test it?

From chat:
(1:20:04 PM) Lynn: You can spray them down....wait a few minutes and then respray if you like the feeling. Soaking can damage those stones
(1:20:24 PM) holli4: can i quote you on that, lynn?
(1:20:31 PM) Lynn: yep

When I first got the Naniwas I heard a rumor about soaking Japanese waterstones being beneficial so I sent JimR in Japan a PM and asked him if he would be kind enough to call Naniwa's customer service and ask. They said do not soak them.

You can get the thick ones in the US at this site:

Naniwa Super Stones

That guys really good to deal with, he answers questions quickly.

I didn't know there was another place to get them in the US, chefsknivestogo claims to be the only US distributor.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is that from personal experience, or did you read it somewhere, or both? If from personal experience, how did you test it?

From chat:
(1:20:04 PM) Lynn: You can spray them down....wait a few minutes and then respray if you like the feeling. Soaking can damage those stones
(1:20:24 PM) holli4: can i quote you on that, lynn?
(1:20:31 PM) Lynn: yep

Personal experience. I know they are resin bound and I know they do not need soaking. If you are willing give it a try and see if you will find a difference in performance, it will not hurt the stone whatsoever. I have done this with my stones for a long time and they are fine. Note I am not keeping them in water for storage.

Originally Posted by Pete_S

You can get the thick ones in the US at this site:

Naniwa Super Stones

That guys really good to deal with, he answers questions quickly.

I didn't know there was another place to get them in the US, chefsknivestogo claims to be the only US distributor.

another place to get them is here:
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