This stone is Naniwa's core product, it goes by two main names - Akamonzen and Red Brick. This stone is a tried and tested formulation that has stood the test of time, finding its way into many restaurants and households all over Japan. It's hard to think of a more iconic whetstone! The stone itself is a soaking stone, but it holds the water fairly well, making for easy water management as you are sharpening. The stone is also fast cutting and has strong feedback as you are sharpening, making it easy to identify the sharpening angle. As the stone is somewhat softer, it releases abrasives quickly, allowing you to sharpen easily without needing to apply much pressure onto your blade. This makes it a great stone for new sharpeners who may just be getting started in the hobby! This Whetstone is: - Soaking - Please soak for at least 5 minutes before use - Medium Soft Stone - Releases abrasives easily for sharpening with less effort - Medium Wearing - This stone dishes more than most premium stones Troubleshooting: If your edge is sharp in some areas but not in others, check that you have deburred consistently throughout the edge. Also, make sure you have a consistent sharpening angle throughout the length of the blade. Dimensions (Stone Only): 210 x 70 x 20mm Weight: 620g approx.
