Naniwa Chosera SS-1000

Once the King stone has shown you that sharpening is actually your thing, and you're ready to invest in something better: the Naniwa Chosera SS-1000 is one of the most recommended 1000-grit stones out there. Splash-and-go here really means splash-and-go, wet it for a few seconds and start, no more ten-minute soak.

It comes with a plastic stand and a small nagura stone for raising slurry included in the box, so you're not immediately shopping for accessories.

Good for: the step up from a beginner stone to a serious tool, especially if you sharpen harder steels (VG10, blue steel and similar) that wear through softer stones faster.

Pros:

• No soaking needed, ready to go instantly
• Excellent tactile feedback while sharpening
• Stand and nagura stone included in the box

Cons:

• Noticeably more expensive than the King entry stone
• Some users find it a bit slower cutting than expected for the price, and it needs to be rinsed regularly or it clogs with metal swarf

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