If it long term edge retention you’re after, this Arashiyama 6000 grit is a perfect stone to finish your knives. This stone doubles as a “stepping stone” if you plan to take your knives up to 8000, 10,000, or 12,000 grit. Once you put steel to stone it's easy to see why the Arashiyama 6000 has a great reputation among professional sharpeners in Japan. This stone requires a stone to maintain its performance.

When to use this stone

• Great for putting a strong working edge on your Japanese knife made from Shirogami or Aogami steels.
• Soft stone, very easy to use for core polishing and contrasting. Excellent for on wide bevel knives / Knives with pronounced Kireha.
• Ideal for sharpening speciality tools as well as your Japanese Kitchen knives.
• If you are looking to go up to a higher grit stone, this is a great midway point.
• Soak very briefly before use, excellent for Japanese carbon steels. Quite a soft stone, be wary of your angle to avoid gouging.

About Imanishi - Imanishi specialized in some of Japan's highest-quality sharpening stones, especially when it comes to natural stones. They take the role of the sharpening stone in the lifespan of a knife very seriously and strive to find the perfect stone for each type of knife. We carry a wide variety of natural stones from Imanishi, as well as a few synthetic ones.