Toishi-Ohishi Waterstones

Made in Japan these waterstones are becoming ever more popular amongst leading woodworkers. Described by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks as the best waterstones they have found, as they cut quickly and they are hard enough that a squirt of water is enough to get to work.

There are 7 single grit stones to choose from and 6 combination stones. These new stones are 3 inches (75mm) wide which is particularly useful when honing wide plane blades, knives or cut throat razors. They cut quickly but are dense and hard, note that most of them do not require soaking prior to use (the exceptions are the 220 & 800 grits) . A sprinkle of water is all you need to get to work for the 1000+ grit stones. The 1,000 grit will establish your secondary bevel and the 10,000 grit yields a beautiful final polish.

Nagura (correcting) stone - this stone is used to condition waterstones during use. For natural waterstones their use is to wear away hard particles or contamination in the waterstone, and to selectively allow flattening by being rubbed on a high spots on the stone. Another usage is to create slurry. Use with Ohishi stones of more than 1000 grit.

Stone sizes:

Grain 220 - 205 x 80 x 35mm
All other single grit stones 205 x 75 x 25mm
Combination stones 205 x 75 x 30mm
Nagura Stone 75 x 25 x 25mm