Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 320 WA/800 Cobalt Combination Grit Japanese Whetstone

Combo 320 white alumina & 800 grit white alumina with cobalt made for Bernal Cutlery for initial edge formation on both hard Japanese steels and softer stainless steels. Equally suited for preparing Japanese double or single bevel knives for a final polish or as a complete stone for Western knives taking a coarser edge. Use a diamond nagura or flattener before use to create slurry for a finer hazy finish, or use with a clean surface with only water for faster cutting. 

This stone is the result of lots of experimentation with a broad selection of ceramic stones made by our partner stone manufacturer in Japan who specializes in high temperature fired ceramic sharpening stones. We selected these two together to work with a wide variety of steels and knife types.

There are a lot of possibilities with the two different finishes these stones are capable of, while they are hard and dish slowly (especially the cobalt infused 800) each stone feels softer and finer than they are especially with a little worn slurry on the surface worked with light pressure. Despite this they cut fast and the 320 is capable of generating a new edge on relatively dull edges quickly. While it is close to 220 grit numerically it is not capable of really heavy metal removal. 

Ceramic stones will not come apart with longer soaking periods (although water should be changed) resinoid stones should not be left to soak indefinitely, and both should be allowed to dry outside of sun and wind and not allowed to freeze wet.