Sharpening Stones

Minonokuni's 4000 grit waterstone is a traditional Japanese finishing stone, custom specified by Minonokuni's craftsmen for Knife Merchant and tested extensively in regular use here in our own kitchen. This stone gives excellent feedback, develops a slurry easily, and resists dishing, holding its flat surface well over repeated use. It leaves a mirror finish with a level of polish that is noticeably better than other stones of comparable grit. As a traditional waterstone, it should be soaked before use, typically until the bubbles stop rising. The surface should be kept wet throughout sharpening. Made in Japan and sized at 210mm by 70mm by 20mm (8.25 by 2.75 by 0.8 inches), it pairs naturally with a coarser stone for edge repair. We like to pair this stone with the Minonokuni 1000 grit waterstone. Together these two stones are enough for a complete, simple sharpening routine, from re-establishing a dull edge to creating a refined, mirror finish. Chef Feedback “This is an excellent finishing stone that gives good feedback, creates a nice slurry, and is resistant to dishing. It imparts a nice mirror finish, with a much better finish than you would expect for this grit size. If you want just two stones for your knife maintenance, the Minonokuni 1000 and 4000 are a great combination.” Learn More

Minonokuni 220 Grit Whetstone Dimensions:(210mm x 70mm x 20mm) This aggressive stone is intended for use with knives that have damaged edges; chips, reverse curves, broken tips, bevel setting. This knife will rquire a fair amount of water so be sure to soak it. Made in Japan. Learn More

The everyday stone for keeping your edge sharp: Minonokuni's 1000 grit waterstone is the best grit for routine maintenance and for restoring an edge on a knife that has gone dull. In a typical Japanese sharpening setup, stones are generally grouped into three levels of abrasion: a coarse stone for repairing chips or reshaping a badly worn edge, a medium stone for everyday maintenance and re-establishing a working edge, and a finishing stone for polish and refinement. This 1000 grit stone sits at that middle stage, and for most home and professional cooks it is the only stone needed on a regular basis. It is coarse enough to bring back a genuinely dull blade, yet fine enough tho create an edge that is functionally sharp.  As a traditional waterstone, it needs to be soaked in water before use, typically until the stream of bubbles rising from the stone stops, usually a few minutes. Once soaked, keep the surface wet with water throughout sharpening, and let it air dry fully after use before storing it. Made in Japan and sized at 210mm by 70mm by 20mm (8.25 by 2.75 by 0.8 inches), this stone pairs naturally with a coarser stone for edge repair or a finer stone, such as Minonokuni's own 4000 grit, for a higher polish. Learn More