A sharp edge makes a world of difference, whether you are preparing dinner or taking fine shavings from a piece of timber. Our Complete Sharpening Kit brings together a Japanese ceramic waterstone, the equipment to keep it flat, and camellia oil to help protect your freshly sharpened tools.
If you are new to waterstone sharpening, this guide will help you get set up, look after your kit and build a reliable sharpening routine.
The Glass Plate and Sandpaper
Waterstones wear as you sharpen and can develop a hollow in the areas you use most. The glass plate provides a flat backing for the sandpaper, allowing you to flatten the stone and maintain an even sharpening surface.
Attach one grade of the supplied adhesive sandpaper to each side of the clean, dry glass. Smooth it down carefully so there are no wrinkles, trapped particles or air bubbles. Use the lower-numbered sandpaper for the #1000 face of your stone and the higher-numbered sandpaper for the #3000 or #6000 face, depending on your kit.
Check your stone for flatness before each sharpening session. When using this kit's adhesive sandpaper, flatten the stone while it is dry, before soaking. Water can cause the paper to swell or the adhesive to release, affecting the flatness of the abrasive surface.
- Place the glass plate on a stable, non-slip surface with the glass fully supported.
- Draw a light pencil grid across the face of the stone, including near the edges.
- Place that face against the sandpaper and move the stone in circles or in several directions, using even pressure and keeping it flat against the plate.
- Check your progress regularly. Remaining pencil marks indicate areas the abrasive has not yet reached. Stop once the marks have been removed across the whole face.
- Rinse the stone thoroughly to remove stone dust and any loose sandpaper grit before soaking or sharpening.
Clogged or worn sandpaper cuts slowly. Clear accumulated dust carefully and replace the paper if it no longer cuts effectively or starts lifting from the glass. Dry flattening produces fine dust, so use suitable dust extraction and respiratory protection. Avoid blowing dust into the air.
Soaking and Using Your Cerax Waterstone
Allow around 10 minutes of soaking in clean, room-temperature water for the Cerax combination stone in this kit, following any instructions supplied with your particular model. Small bubbles will usually escape as the stone absorbs water. If the surface still absorbs water almost immediately when you begin sharpening, return it to the water for a few more minutes.
Use water only on the stone. The abrasive particles do the cutting; water helps lubricate the surface and carry away sharpening debris. Keep the working face wet throughout sharpening. A spray bottle or a small container of clean water beside your sharpening area makes this easy.
Secure the stone in its holder or on a damp cloth so it cannot slide around. As you sharpen, a slurry of water, released abrasive and fine metal particles will form. This is normal. Keep it wet, and rinse the surface if the slurry becomes too thick or picks up grit or other contamination.
Working Through the Grits
- Sharpen on #1000: Use this face to restore a dull edge. Maintain a consistent angle suited to your blade and work across the stone's surface to encourage even wear.
- Rinse before changing grits: Clean the blade, your hands and any sharpening guide to avoid carrying coarser abrasive onto the finer face.
- Refine on #3000 or #6000: Use the finer face to refine the edge and reduce the scratches left by the #1000 stone. Reduce pressure as you finish, and remove the burr using a technique appropriate to your blade.
The burr is the thin lip of metal that forms at the cutting edge during sharpening. Removing it is part of producing a clean, durable edge. Knives, chisels and plane blades have different sharpening requirements, so follow guidance for the tool you are working on. Deep chips or major changes to a bevel are usually better tackled with a coarser stone first.
Camellia Oil and Tool Care
Camellia oil helps protect clean steel from moisture and rust, particularly on carbon steel blades. Once sharpening is complete, clean and thoroughly dry your knife or tool, then apply a thin film of oil with a clean cloth. A little goes a long way.
Keep camellia oil away from your waterstone. Remove any protective oil from the blade before its next sharpening session. Wash kitchen knives before using them for food preparation.
Keep the bottle tightly closed and store it away from heat and direct sunlight.
Cleaning, Drying and Storage
After sharpening, rinse the stone to remove slurry and wipe away excess water. Allow it to dry naturally in a shaded, well-ventilated place before putting it into a closed box or cupboard. Avoid heaters, direct sunlight and other methods of speeding up drying.
Keep the glass plate and its adhesive sandpaper dry, and store them where the glass will be protected from knocks. Allow the stone to dry between sessions unless the manufacturer specifically recommends a different storage method.
A Little Practice Goes a Long Way
Sharpening is a skill built through practice and patience. Start slowly, pay attention to your angle and pressure, and check your progress regularly. With a flat stone and a consistent approach, you will soon get a feel for what a good edge looks and feels like in use.
If you have questions about your kit or sharpening a particular tool, we are happy to help. Email us at info@japanesetools.com.au.
