Naniwa Professional (Chosera) Whetstone Sharpening Stone, 3000 grit

Naniwa Chosera 3000 Grit Japanese Whetstone Sharpening Stone, 20cmx7cm surface, 2cm thick. Made in Japan.

Note: Due to the way these are made and cured, one side of the stone may appear uneven. Please check the other side, it is generally flat and it's fine to use either side for sharpening (stick to using that one side though once you start). It may also improve somewhat with normal use (as it hydrates) and with regular lapping of course.

Naniwa has re-branded these as Chocera Pro (yes, changing the spelling to Chocera with a "c" now) for 2024. The stones are identical, just the branding/name and packaging has changed (again). You may receive the new or old packing as we receive and make the transition to new stock from the factory in Japan.

Naniwa Professional stones are widely considered the finest stones money can buy. They are the next generation of the superb Chosera stones (which they replace), promising even faster cutting. They are artifical stones made with the magnesia bonding method. In terms of hardness they are slightly harder than the Super Stones, and because of the different bonding methods these "feel" harder and cut more quickly. They are very durable and long-lasting, but this extra hardness means that there is also more of a potential for cracking or chipping than with the Super Stones so be sure to air dry them and store in a cool, dry place and do NOT expose them to extremes of heat or cold (NO freezing!) or quick changes in temperature or humidity.

Do NOT soak them, and do NOT leave them soaking in water while you use other stones... in use, just splash more water on the stone as needed instead of prolonged and repeated soakings, otherwise hairline cracks can appear over time.

If you're not a regular user of your stones and only want them for occassional home use, you might want to consider the Super Stones or Traditional Stones instead, as they are still very high quality but are more forgiving of the cycle of wet/dry and extreme temperature and humidity changes in our climate. The Pro Stones fare better with regular use and regular lapping to avoid potential problems with cracks forming.

Warranty: 90-day warranty against manufacturing defects.