Stones

Flattening Stones

Although all NSK stones are very wear resistant, these flattening/dressing stones are specifically formulated to counter the wear resistance and flatten at an impressive speed. They also work very well on natural stones as well, and the higher grit flattening plates will leave a scratch-free surface unlike many other diamond plates. The flattening stones are slotted to eliminate suction when rubbing against the sharpening stone.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, as long as you condition the surface of the sharpening stone with a higher grit flattening plate before use in order to prevent overly-aggressive surface. Each grit of the flattening stones can be used on several different grits, so there is no need to get every single flattening grit for each corresponding grits of NSK sharpening stone you may have; see recommended grit ranges for each flattening stone below.

Flattening grits: 200, 400, 600, 1000, 3000, 6000

Recommended Use: Flattening grits from 200-1000 can be used on All NSK sharpening stones up to 1500 grit. All NSK sharpening stones with grits above 1000 should ideally be flattened with a grit as close to the stone's grit as possible. For example, a 3000 grit sharpening stone should be flattened with grits 3000 and above.

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 17mm
Weight: 468g
Grit Range: #3000

Flattening Stones

Although all NSK stones are very wear resistant, these flattening/dressing stones are specifically formulated to counter the wear resistance and flatten at an impressive speed. They also work very well on natural stones as well, and the higher grit flattening plates will leave a scratch-free surface unlike many other diamond plates. The flattening stones are slotted to eliminate suction when rubbing against the sharpening stone.

If needed, coarser flattening grits can initially be used on higher grit sharpening stones to remove material quickly, as long as you condition the surface of the sharpening stone with a higher grit flattening plate before use in order to prevent overly-aggressive surface. Each grit of the flattening stones can be used on several different grits, so there is no need to get every single flattening grit for each corresponding grits of NSK sharpening stone you may have; see recommended grit ranges for each flattening stone below.

Flattening grits: 200, 400, 600, 1000, 3000, 6000

Recommended Use: Flattening grits from 200-1000 can be used on All NSK sharpening stones up to 1500 grit. All NSK sharpening stones with grits above 1000 should ideally be flattened with a grit as close to the stone's grit as possible. For example, a 3000 grit sharpening stone should be flattened with grits 3000 and above.

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 17mm
Weight: 468g
Grit Range: #600

Hakuto

Medium hardness, they are ideal for creating softer bevel changes and finishing full convex grinds. Given the available grits are only medium to high grit, Hakuto 1 stones are best left for use after initial, coarser work has been completed. 

Recommended for advanced users.

These thin (2.5mm) options are more affordable than the standard thickness (3.5mm) but will still sharpen for a very long time.

Brand: NSK
Length: 200mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 22mm
Weight: 610g
Grit Range: #10000 

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area:  Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: Certainly a base of blue, hence the name "Ao"-to, "blue" stone. These softer versions tend to have a tint of red/brown to them, a decent indication of their softness level.
Size: 205mm x 57mm x 55mm
Weight: 1430g
Grit Range: ~2000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 2
Scratch Depth: 4
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 3.5
Self Slurry: 4.5
Thirst: 3
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 4
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Early/mid polishing sequence, hazy Kasumi, textured edges with solid bite.

Notes: This is slightly coarser and softer vs. its finer and harder Aoto sibling. These softer versions will be faster cutting, create more slurry, have deeper scratches, create darker/hazier Kasumi, and would be used earlier in a polishing progression. Softer stones tend to be easier to use as they are more "forgiving" than harder stones, thus easier to learn on. These are "true" Aoto of quality, consistency, and provenance. Given their price they are an awesome way to get involved with natural stones.  

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance, weights and measures, and qualities. Stamps may be different or not present, especially if it has been tested.

Length: 210mm
Width: 75mm
Height: 10mm
Weight: 700g
Grit: #140

The Atoma plate we know and love, with a handle!