Japanese Sharpening

Sharpening with waterstones is central to Japanese tool culture, valued for the speed at which they cut and the quality of edge they leave behind. Unlike oil stones, waterstones are soaked or splashed with water before use, and the slurry this produces helps refine the edge as you work.

Our range covers the full sharpening sequence:

• Coarse waterstones (grit 220 to 400) for flattening backs and repairing chips or damaged edges
• Medium waterstones (grit 1000 to 2000) for everyday edge maintenance on chisels and plane blades
• Fine waterstones (grit 3000 to 8000) for polishing and achieving a keen, lasting edge
• Flattening plates to keep stone surfaces true, since waterstones wear unevenly with use

Natural and synthetic waterstones each have their place. Natural stones are prized by some for the subtlety of finish they produce, while synthetic waterstones offer consistent grit and predictable wear, making them a practical choice for regular workshop use.

Whether you're maintaining a single chisel or setting up a full sharpening station, the right waterstone makes the difference between a tool that merely cuts and one that performs at its best.