Anybody know who makes these?

[SliceNDice]

Someone locally is offering these for sale… anybody know who makes them and what’s a fair offer? I don’t have much experience with synthetics.

Thanks!

 

[Rangen]

They have the look of Naniwa Standard stones (that is, their basic noncombo stones, not the SuperStone or Chosera/Pro lines). Naniwa uses that S (grit) nomenclature for these stones, and varies color with grit. My Naniwa SuperStone 1000 is pale blue, and is marked SS1000, but the marking is in small letters on the side.

However, Naniwa does not currently make a 5000 grit Standard stone, which makes me very uncertain about that guess. They could be knockoffs, older versions, or something else entirely.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Those look like Naniwa Super Stones, or whatever they're calling them these days.

2023 catalog page:

 

[Rangen]

Those look like Naniwa Super Stones, or whatever they're calling them these days.

That would explain the existence of the 5000. Yeah, they're probably Superstones, S1 version (half the thickness of the S2).

I have not used my 1000 in ages, and you don't read much about people using them, except maybe the 10K/12K as a razor finisher. A number of people have reported warping issues with these stones, especially the thinner S1 version.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I have not used my 1000 in ages, and you don't read much about people using them, except maybe the 10K/12K as a razor finisher. A number have people have reported warping issues with these stones, especially the thinner S1 version.

I haven't seen many/any positive comments about the mid and lower grit versions of them. I have a slice of both the 5000 and 8000 in Edge Pro format and they give a nice mirror polish.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Compare prices here: Naniwa S1 Advance Super Stone

 

[SliceNDice]

Thanks. That helps tremendously.

 

[M1k3]

Naniwa super stone. Stay away from the low grit ones, especially the 220. It's dishes faster than it cuts.

 

[SliceNDice]

Thanks again. The quality is not as good as I’d hoped they would be. I think I still want them. I can use them for German knives and wood carving tools

 

[stringer]

They work well for edge touch ups. They are also good as a base for a natural polishing progression. They glaze like crazy. I find the old scotchbrite nagura to be pretty effective at keeping them cutting.
.

 

[jedy617]

Yeah fantastic for core polishing. Feel horrible using them though. Much prefer chosera for edge work

 

[SliceNDice]

Thanks for the tip, stringer.

 

[stringer]

I wouldn't pay much for them. They are the cheap version of Naniwa's outdated cheaper tech.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I wouldn't pay much for them. They are the cheap version of Naniwa's outdated cheaper tech.

What is the non-outdated choice for mirror polishing? Chosera 10,000 is in a completely different price bracket.

 

[Just a DK]

What is the non-outdated choice for mirror polishing? Chosera 10,000 is in a completely different price bracket.

sandpaper and flitz.

*edit: at least for normies like me. it won't look like I suddenly became KasumiJLA, but I can live with it.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

sandpaper and flitz.

I don't see how you can use that on the sharpening bevel without losing the edge. If it is for area polishing rather than the sharpening bevel there are many polishing options of course.

 

[Ruso]

5K SS is definitely better at creating a mirror finish than putting a usable edge.

 

[cwk.v]

I don't see how you can use that on the sharpening bevel without losing the edge. If it is for area polishing rather than the sharpening bevel there are many polishing options of course.

If you want to mirror polish, you probably will have to redo the edge once you are done.

 

[Pie]

The 5k is worth it. I like it for getting a “clean” slate for naturals.