Imanishi Arashiyama #6000 Finishing Stone with Wooden Base — 213 mm

The Arashiyama #6000 moves into serious mirror-polishing territory, refining an already sharp edge and developing a bright, highly reflective finish on the bevel. With the scratches from earlier stones worked out, this is where the polish starts to become a feature in its own right.

Made by Imanishi in Kyoto, it’s a synthetic finishing stone for the later stages of sharpening. Use it after a #1000 or #3000 stone once the edge is properly established; this is where you refine your work rather than remove chips or reshape the blade.

At 24 mm thick, it’s a substantial finishing stone with plenty of material for repeated use and flattening. This version comes mounted on a wooden base, which raises the working surface above the counter.

Grit: #6000
Stone dimensions: Approximately 213 × 74 × 24 mm
Abrasive: White aluminium oxide
Origin: Japan
Includes: Mounted wooden base
Preparation: Splash-and-go. Wet the working surface thoroughly before sharpening and replenish water as needed; no soaking required.

In Use: Start with an edge that has already been sharpened on a medium or finer stone, such as a #1000 or #3000. Keep the surface wet and use light pressure to refine the previous scratch pattern. For the final passes, you can use it much like a strop: make gentle, edge-trailing strokes, drawing the blade with its spine leading and the cutting edge following. Keep the sharpening angle steady and use very light pressure to refine the apex and help remove any remaining burr.

Care: Rinse after use and allow both the stone and wooden base to dry naturally in a ventilated spot away from direct sunlight. Do not leave submerged or standing in water. Avoid heat and sudden temperature changes. Flatten periodically to maintain an even working surface.