NaniwaNK-2091 Professional Whetstone Kagayaki #12000 Sharpener with Storage Case 8.3 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches (210 x 70 x 10 mm)

Great whetstone for straight razors, splash and go,only needs about 10 to 15 laps, plenty wide and long, must have for straight razor shaving!

I restore and hone vintage straight razors for extra cash sometimes. I've done hundreds of them. Up until recently was using an old japanese whetstone (estimated at 12k) I'd had for years and it did a fine job, but something went weird with it a few months ago where it really slowed down on polishing the edge. I'd heard a lot of good things about these Naniwas so got this 12k stone to try out, and it's doing great. Cut my time down on the 12k session dramatically and is providing a proper "shave-ready" edge. Easy to lap and flatten too. I've read this skinnier version has a penchant to warp but i haven't seen that. If I do I may go in on one of the thicker ones.

I am amazed with this stone. I used my buddies 10000 chosera a couple months ago and it was the smoothest feel with the most polished edge on any stone I had used. But who wants to pay $300 for a stone? This stone right here is the exact same, i kid you not. I was not expecting $40 stone to be this good. It cuts so much too, less than a minute of use and my knives are literally the sharpest most polished edges ever. I have. Shapton 12000 too, and it does not compare to this naniwa pro 12000. My only knock would be that this stone is super soft. I got carried away in sharpness euphoria and accidentally dug in with a chisel on the side, lesson learned. But Anyways 10/10 across the board, get this stone, you will not be disappointed.

I could spend more and not have to worry about the blade sticking and cutting into the stone. Be sure to get an inagura stone for when you gouge. A stone that won't stick will cost 2-3 times as much. I would recommend, but be careful about blade stickiness.

This stone is amazing for only 45 bucks. The reason it's so cheap is cause it's a lot thinner than other stones, at only 10mm thick, so it will not last as long. However, some users have reported that it warps after using, but I have not had this problem at all. I have sharpened about fifteen different knives on it and it's stayed flat and true this entire time. It is a splash and go and I let it dry with a fan after every use and have had no problems with it at all. From what I have read online, it is basically a rebadged Naniwa 12k super stone at a significantly lower cost. Some of the older stones have SS on the side in the serial number, which matches the super stone. The stone is very hard and stays very flat, which is excellent for sharpening my yanagis and usabas, which I need really sharp for work. However, it does load up fairly quickly, especially on single bevel knives so it has to be removed with either a rust eraser or flattened out with a flattening stone in order for it to actually cut again. Leaves an excellent mirror polish on my knives and could not be happier for the price.

Naniwa are definitely good sharping stones for straight razors. I have only good things to say about my purchase. This is one of those learn as you go traits. Adding this stone to my collection was a game changer.

This stone leaves a great finish but man... The bowing is severe enough that you can see it without a straight edge. At this rate I'll have eaten through the stone within a year or two.

I bought Shapton 16k prior of purchasing this stone.I should say that I am surprised by the quality and efficiency of it.Even the gritt is less than Shapton 16k but it works way better.100% recommended! Buy it and you won’t regret it!