Japanese Knife 1 Combo Stone Maintenance Sharpening Kit 1000/4000 Takarazukushi House Brand Free Compound

Sharpening kit designed for sharpening double bevel Japanese knives with:

• Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi House 1000/4000 combination stone.  The hard fast cutting 1000 yellow marble stone for re-shaping and fast metal removal on dulled edges, and a 4000 grit resin bonded finishing side; a very versatile finisher that leaves a toothy polish good for a variety of knife and steel types.
• A cork strop and compound to be used after the finishing stone to remove any burr leftover.
• A coarse 140 grit Atoma diamond flattening stone which makes fast work of leveling stones and has a stone holder that can be used with the combination stone as well.

For best results keep a low angle when sharpening and maintain that same angle when stropping; draw the blade away from the edge and use low to moderate pressure over the center of the strop. A dozen or  so strokes is typically sufficient. Strop compound is good for at least 50 stroppings if used correctly and can be re-charged when worn out. Do not re-apply compound each time.

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi ceramic stones are made in Japan with alumina and zircon abrasive particles that are baked with ceramics creating a fused porous stone. Harder Takarazukushi stones tend to cut deeper and faster than the semi-soft stones on double bevel knives made with wear resistant steels. Semi-soft Takarazukushis stones cut wide bevels very nicely and leave shallower easier to finish scratches than the harder stones however both hard and semi-soft work on both.

Ceramic stones will not come apart with longer soaking periods (although water should be changed). Resinoid stones should not be left to soak indefinitely. Both should be allowed out of direct sun and wind and not allowed to freeze when wet.