Japanese Water Stones – Storage & Tips

With some care and attention, Japanese water stones can last a long time. Here are some suggestions for looking after your stones so they perform well for years to come, along with answers to common questions.

Can water stones be stored in water?

Yes, as long as there is no risk of freezing. If there is a chance of freezing, remove stones from the water and let them dry out. They can be stored in a cold space as long as they are dry.

Do water stones of different grits need to be stored in separate containers?

No. Anything that can hold water can be used for storage. Buckets, plastic storage boxes and commercial stone ponds can all hold multiple stones. Rinse stones with your spray bottle before using so as not to transfer particles, especially from a coarse stone to a finer one.

What can cause the stone to become wedge-shaped?

Consistently using the stone without turning it end for end will cause it to become wedge-shaped; however, it does not matter if the working surface is sloped as long as it is flat.

Why You Should Chamfer the Edges of Your Stone

If the edges are chamfered, they are less inclined to get chipped. A small chamfer is fine. Hold the stone at approximately 45° and do four to six strokes on your coarsest stone or diamond plate.

Do you need to lap away chips and gouges?

Oops! You’ve nicked the stone with a chisel corner. Now what?

Inevitably, a stone will be nicked or gouged. In most cases, it’s not necessary to lap the damage away, consuming quite a bit of the thickness of the stone in the process. Plane irons and wider chisels will ride over the damaged area with no effect on the sharpening. With narrower blades, the damaged area can be strategically avoided. Not lapping away the damage saves a lot of time and stone material. Normal use and lapping will take care of the problem over time.

Can you use the sides of the stone?

Absolutely. For stones not attached to a base, the sides can be used advantageously when freehand honing small blades.