Naniwa is a Japanese company that was founded in Osaka in 1941. Since then, it has established itself as a world leader in the production of high-quality water stones for sharpening cutting tools. Naniwa's stones are synthetic, meaning they are manufactured using modern technologies and different binding components. This unique manufacturing process results in Naniwa stones that are highly productive and can be used on any steel with a Rockwell hardness of up to 68 units.
In addition to its classic water stones, Naniwa also produces various profile accessories such as holders and stands for stones, bars, and plates for editing abrasives. These accessories are designed to make the sharpening process easier and more efficient, and are popular among professional sharpeners and DIY enthusiasts alike.
Naniwa produces two of the most popular series of synthetic water stones on the market today: the Naniwa Professional Stones, also known as the Naniwa Chosera, and the Naniwa Super Stones. These two series are designed for different purposes and have different characteristics, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs.
The Naniwa Professional Stones, also known as the Naniwa Chosera for the Japanese market, are the most popular series produced by Naniwa. These stones are high-quality and are designed for professional sharpeners who work with cutting tools. The professional series is known for its high performance, and the creators of the series have focused on this parameter.
The Professional Stones are made using a magnesian bond, which is a type of cement formed from a mixture of caustic magnesite and magnesium chloride solution. Tools made with a magnesian bond have low mechanical strength and are hygroscopic, so they should be stored in a dry room. One of the main features of this bond is the high density and consistency of fine abrasive particles, which gives the stone a high sharpening efficiency.
The most popular stones in the Professional Stone series are:
The Naniwa Professional Stone #600 is used for grinding and rough sharpening.
The Naniwa Professional Stone #1000 is used for the main sharpening process.
The Naniwa Professional Stone #3000 is also used for the main sharpening process.
The Naniwa Professional Stone #5000 is used for pre-finish sharpening.
In addition to these stones, the Professional series also includes stones with grits ranging from 400 to 10000, all of which are measured using the Japanese JIS system.
The Naniwa Super Stones, also known as the Naniwa Sharpening Stones series for the Japanese market, have the same dimensions as the Professional Stones. These stones are designed for sharpening a wide range of cutting tools, regardless of the material they are made of. Compared to the Professional Stones, the Super Stones have lower productivity but are more durable.
The Super Stones are made using an organic bond with Bakelite resin as the base. This makes the stones themselves more durable than the Professional Stones, but they are less effective at removing metal.
The Naniwa Chosera VS Professional is a common comparison among users of Naniwa stones. Both the Chosera and the Professional series are high-quality stones with similar dimensions and designed for professional sharpeners. The main difference between the two series is the bond used in their production. The Chosera stones are made using a magnesian bond, while the Professional Stones are made using an organic bond with Bakelite resin as the base. This makes the Professional Stones more durable but less effective at removing metal, while the Chosera stones are more efficient at sharpening but less durable.
One of the key features of the Naniwa Professional Stones is their high density and consistency of fine abrasive particles. This allows for a high sharpening efficiency, making them a popular choice among professional sharpeners. The Professional Stones are also known for their low mechanical strength and hygroscopic nature, which means they should be stored in a dry room to prevent damage.
In contrast, the Naniwa Super Stones are designed for sharpening a wider range of cutting tools and materials. They have the same dimensions as the Professional Stones, but are made using an organic bond with Bakelite resin as the base. This makes them more durable than the Professional Stones, but less effective at removing metal.
One of the main reasons for the popularity of Naniwa stones is their versatility. The Professional Stones are suitable for use on any steel with a Rockwell hardness of up to 68 units, while the Super Stones can be used on a wider range of materials. This makes them a valuable tool for professional sharpeners, as well as DIY enthusiasts who need to sharpen a variety of cutting tools.
In addition to their high-quality water stones, Naniwa also produces a range of accessories that are designed to make the sharpening process easier and more efficient. These include holders and stands for stones, bars, and plates for editing abrasives. These accessories are popular among professional sharpeners and DIY enthusiasts alike, as they help to ensure a consistent and accurate sharpening process.
Overall, Naniwa is a leading manufacturer of high-quality water stones for sharpening cutting tools. Its two main series, the Professional Stones and the Super Stones, offer a range of options for professional sharpeners and DIY enthusiasts alike. In addition, the company's accessories help to make the sharpening process easier and more efficient. Whether you're a professional looking for a high-performance sharpening tool, or a DIY enthusiast looking for an easy-to-use sharpening solution, Naniwa has something for you.
Why Naniwa is the go-to brand for professional knife sharpeners
