Which waterstone is better, #1000/6000 or #1000/#3000?

Posted on : January 28, 2016 Last updated : November 12, 2020 Author : IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team Category : Knife Sharpening

[updated on Jan. 8, 2017]

A customer asked us,
“Which combination waterstone is recommended, #1000/6000 or #1000/#3000?

<#6000 side> <Reverse> <#1000 side>

I have reentered your site today and ordered the knife successfully. By the way, I bought the same item from you in the past. In addition, I consider to order the following additional items:
• “King Combination Grit Waterstone (Grinding stone) #1000/#6000”
• “Kai Shun Stainless Steel Deluxe Knife Sharpening Guide Rail DH-5268“

I also found the ” Tojiro DP Cobalt Alloy 3 Layers Chef Knife(Gyuto)”.
As such, is “King Combination Grit Waterstone (Grinding stone) #1000/#6000” still stands,
or should I go for the “Tojiro Combination Grit Waterstone (Whetstone) #1000/#3000”
(the reason for my question is the #6000 versus #3000)?

——————— Our answer ———————
We’re afraid that it depends on the application.

#3000 and larger-number stones are used for mirror(fine) finishing.
#6000 and larger-number stones are for mirror(fine) finishing and for removing the burr after sharpening.
(a weak point is … #6000 may take a longer time for fine sharpening than #3000)

It depends but #3000 seems enough for most applications.
When you’ll get used to that, we recommend you to go to #6000 or more precise one.

Generally, we recommend the following sets for effective sharpening,

(1) Tojiro Combination Grit Waterstone (Whetstone) #1000/#3000
http://www.hocho-knife.com/tojiro-combination-grit-waterstone-whetstone-1000-3000/
– and –
Kai Shun Stainless Steel Deluxe Knife Sharpening Guide Rail DH5268
http://www.hocho-knife.com/kai-shun-stainless-steel-deluxe-knife-sharpening-guide-rail-dh5268/

(2) King 1000/6000 Combination Grit Waterstone KW-65(HT-65)
http://www.hocho-knife.com/king-1000-6000-combination-grit-waterstone-grinding-stone-kw-65-ht-65/
– and –
Kai Shun Stainless Steel Deluxe Knife Sharpening Guide Rail DH5268
http://www.hocho-knife.com/kai-shun-stainless-steel-deluxe-knife-sharpening-guide-rail-dh5268/

(3) SHAPTON JAPAN Professional Ceramic Waterstone Series
http://www.hocho-knife.com/shapton-japan-professional-ceramic/
#1000 for sharpening and
#5000 or #8000 for removing the burr after sharpening
– and –
Kai Shun Stainless Steel Deluxe Knife Sharpening Guide Rail DH5268
http://www.hocho-knife.com/kai-shun-stainless-steel-deluxe-knife-sharpening-guide-rail-dh5268/

Is the article useful for you?

If you have any question, request and advice, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you and best regards !

All the Hocho-Knife staff
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“Hocho” represents Made-in-Japan (Sushi / Sashimi) Kitchen Knives,
that is the soul of the cook!
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