Japanese Sharpening Stone KING

Manufacture: Japan, Osaka
Brand: Matsunaga Stone
Type: Synthetic water stone
Size: 207 x 66 x 34 mm
Weight: approximately 900g

Since its founding in 1948, Matsunaga Stone has focused on producing tools for sharpening blades. Its flagship product is the King brand of Japanese whetstones, which the company manufactures in Osaka, Japan. King sharpening stones are the world's best-selling and most recommended Japanese sharpening stones. They are fine stones, suitable for fine steel and high carbon steel, from which many high-quality Japanese tools are made.

JP MATSUNAGA STONE CO., LTD., 550-0015, 1-2-15, Minamihorie, Nishi-ku, Osaka, Japan, info@matsunagacorp.jp, https://matsunaga-corp.co.jp CZ Tokyo Tools s.r.o., Slovinská 652/19, Praha 10, 10100, CZ, 773707811, info@tokyotools.cz

Synthetic stone made from aluminum oxide. 

To keep the sharpening stone in the best condition, it needs to be cleaned regularly, thoroughly dried before storage, continuously leveled to correct any unevenness, and stored correctly. Keep the whetstone in a place where it will not be damaged. Because it is dense and porous, impacts can damage the stone, and the same applies if it is dropped.
All water stones also need to be leveled regularly. Since they are a softer type of stones, they need to be leveled a little more often. Hand sharpening causes unevenness, most often in the center of the stone. You can level it before each use or if indentations appear on it - as this doesn't happen immediately, most people will find it suitable to level sharpening stones after five to ten uses. Special leveling stones are used for this purpose. If you don't have them, you can also use sandpaper, although it will require more effort and attention.

1. Soak the stone in water until bubbles cease to appear (15-30 minutes).
2. Before sharpening, the stone needs to be secured, ideally in a non-slip holder.
3. Sharpen the selected tool on the stone. A muddy slurry forms during sharpening; do not remove it as it contains abrasive grains that facilitate sharpening.
4. Wash and dry the tool.
5. Rinse the sharpening stone under clean water, dry it with a paper towel, and air-dry it completely before storing.
6. Rotate the stone with each use to ensure even wear, and level it as needed.

The stones are marked with a JIS number (Japanese classification for grit). The lower the number, the coarser the stone.

#800: The 800 grit is very versatile and sharpens slightly faster than finer "medium grit" stones (1000, 1200, 1500). It is therefore great for daily sharpening and repair of dull blades.
#1000: The 1000 grit is a great all-purpose grit, ideal for daily sharpening and also for anyone just learning to sharpen blades.
#1200: The 1200 grit is ideal for regular sharpening and maintenance of knives.