TANAKA TOISHI WA #1000

Tanaka TOISHI WA #1000 Michibiki is a traditional Japanese water whetstone from Kyoto. It is a soaking stone that requires approximately 10–15 minutes of soaking before use.

The stone is designed for users who value efficient material removal, good feedback, and controlled sharpening. It cuts evenly and generates a fine slurry that helps maintain stability throughout the process.

The #1000 grit is ideal for basic sharpening and is essentially the most important single stone for most knives. At this level, you can quickly restore a working edge without unnecessary refinement.

The feel of the stone is clear and predictable, with a slight natural stone-like softness that makes it pleasant to use. The result is especially clean and even on laminated blades.

Product dimensions may vary slightly. I measured two stones, and both were as follows:

Grit: #1000
Length: 218 mm
Width: 85 mm
Thickness: 31 mm

NOTE!

This whetstone is a so-called soaking stone. It works best after 20-30 minutes of soaking. After sharpening, immediately wipe the stone clean with a towel. This will give the stone a clean look and start the drying process. Place the stone to dry in a position where it does not touch a solid surface. For example, place the stone on top of a pencil. Allow the stone to dry slowly without additional heating. Do not place the stone in direct sunlight. Do not allow the stone to freeze when wet. It takes more than 24 hours to dry. Store the stone protected from dents, e.g., in its box.