320 sharpening stone, Kuromaku SHAPTON K0709 blue-black
Code: SHA-K0709Product detailed description
SHAPTON Kuromaku #320 – fast restoration of a dull or damaged edge
A coarse Japanese water sharpening stone for repairing small chips, restoring a significantly dull knife and creating new edge geometry before continuing with finer grits.
SHAPTON Kuromaku JIS #320 is a coarse sharpening stone designed for situations where a standard maintenance stone is no longer sufficient. It removes material quickly and therefore helps restore a significantly dulled edge, remove minor damage from the cutting edge or correct an unsuitable sharpening angle.
The #320 grit represents the first repair stage. After creating an even edge, it is necessary to continue with a finer stone – most commonly SHAPTON Kuromaku #1000, which removes the deeper marks left by coarse sharpening and creates a usable working edge.
The hard silicon-carbide abrasive structure works effectively even on hard knife steels. The blue-black colour also makes the grit easy to distinguish within the SHAPTON Kuromaku range.
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When should you choose JIS #320 grit?
A significantly dull knife
If the knife slides over ingredients, requires considerable pressure during cutting and would take too long to restore on a fine stone, the #320 grit makes the work considerably faster.
Small chips in the edge
The coarse stone allows minor damage to the cutting edge to be removed in a controlled way. For deep chips or valuable knives, professional sharpening is the safer option.
Adjusting the angle and geometry
The high material-removal rate helps when changing the edge angle, creating a new bevel or correcting uneven previous sharpening.
A hard stone with fast action
SHAPTON Kuromaku removes steel quickly while, thanks to its high hardness, wearing more slowly than many softer water stones.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SHAPTON |
| Product line | Kuromaku |
| Grit | JIS #320 |
| Intended use | Coarse sharpening and edge repair |
| Colour | Blue-black |
| Abrasive | Silicon carbide (SiC) |
| Stone dimensions | 210 × 70 × 15 mm |
| Weight | 200 g |
| Country of manufacture | Japan |
| Product code | SHA-K0709 |
| EAN | 4944509307092 |
Correct sharpening progression
| Stage | Grit | Task |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Repair | #320 | Removing damage or severe dullness, or adjusting the angle |
| 2. Basic edge | #1000 | Removing deeper marks and creating a working edge |
| 3. Refinement | #1500–#3000 | Smoothing the cutting edge and creating a finer finish |
| 4. Polishing | #5000 and above | Optional fine finishing according to the knife type and desired cut |
The #320 stone is not the final stage
A coarse grit leaves pronounced sharpening marks on the bevel. After the repair, therefore, always continue with at least a #1000 stone. If you finish sharpening on #320, the edge will remain coarse and will not provide an optimal cut in normal kitchen use.
How to work with the #320 stone
- Inspect the damage. Mark the area that needs repair and determine the required edge angle in advance.
- Wet the stone. Thanks to its low water absorption, prolonged soaking is unnecessary; water on the working surface is sufficient before sharpening.
- Ensure stability. Use the plastic case as a basic stand or a firm non-slip holder.
- Work in a controlled manner. The coarse grit removes material quickly, so inspect the bevel regularly and do not apply more pressure than necessary.
- Create a continuous burr. Before moving to the other side, the burr must be detectable along the entire sharpened section.
- Remove the coarse sharpening marks. After the repair, move to a #1000 stone and continue with finer grits according to the desired result.
- Clean and dry the stone. Allow it to dry naturally and thoroughly before storing it.
Beware of removing too much steel
The #320 grit works considerably faster than a standard maintenance stone. Inspect the bevel after several strokes and use even, moderate pressure. Sharpening for unnecessarily long periods can alter the edge geometry and remove more material than required.
Who is the stone suitable for?
- repairing significantly dull kitchen knives,
- removing smaller chips from the cutting edge,
- creating a new bevel or adjusting the edge angle,
- owners of harder Japanese and European knife steels,
- more experienced users who can control the material-removal rate,
- suitable woodworking tools and gardening equipment.
Who is it not suitable for?
The #320 stone is not the best choice for routine maintenance of an already sharp knife or for final edge finishing. It is not intended for ceramic knives. We recommend that beginners first master a stable angle on a stone of approximately #1000 grit or attend a knife-sharpening course.
If the blade has deep chips, a crack, a severely broken tip or is an expensive collector’s knife, it may be safer to entrust the repair to a professional.
Care and flattening of the sharpening surface
Even a hard SHAPTON stone gradually wears with use. Coarse stones work intensively during repairs, so check the flatness of the surface regularly. A hollowed surface reduces control over the angle and can lead to an uneven edge.
After use, rinse the stone with clean water and allow it to air-dry at room temperature. Do not place it wet in a closed case and do not dry it on a heater or in direct sunlight. Holders, flattening stones and other accessories can be found in the sharpening accessories category.
Learn to repair an edge safely
During our practical sharpening course, you will learn the correct angle, how to work with the burr, how to control material removal and how to progress between individual grits. This is especially important when working with a coarse stone.
Unsure whether you need #320?
Call us at +420 702 049 048, Monday to Friday between 7:30 and 16:00. Based on the condition of your knife, we will recommend a suitable starting grit and the following sharpening progression.
Frequently asked questions
What is the #320 sharpening stone used for?
It is used to restore a significantly dull edge quickly, remove small chips and create or adjust the bevel.
Can I finish sharpening on the #320 stone?
We do not recommend it for an ordinary kitchen knife. After the coarse repair, continue with at least a #1000 stone to remove the deeper sharpening marks.
Is #320 suitable for regular maintenance?
No. It is unnecessarily coarse for a regularly maintained knife. In that case, most commonly use a stone between #1000 and #3000, depending on the condition of the edge.
Can the stone repair a chipped edge?
Smaller chips can be removed in a controlled way. Deep chips, cracks and more extensive damage should be entrusted to a professional sharpener.
Does the stone need to be soaked for a long time before sharpening?
No. SHAPTON Kuromaku has low water absorption. Wet the stone and keep sufficient water on the surface during use.
Is it suitable for hard Japanese knives?
Yes, it is also suitable for harder knife steels. Because it removes material quickly, however, the bevel and edge geometry must be checked regularly.
Is the stone suitable for ceramic knives?
No. Ceramic blades require sharpening media designed specifically for ceramic material.
Can the plastic case be used as a holder?
Yes. The case makes storage easier and can serve as a basic stand beneath the stone during sharpening.
How do I know when the stone needs flattening?
If the centre is visibly hollowed or the blade no longer moves evenly across the surface, it is time to flatten the sharpening surface.
Is the #320 stone suitable for beginners?
A beginner can use it, but must work carefully. A coarse stone removes steel quickly, so mistakes in angle or pressure become apparent sooner.
Additional parameters
| Category: | Shapton Kuromaku – Sharpening Stones |
|---|---|
| Warranty: | 2 years |
| Weight: | 0.2 kg |
| EAN: | 4944509307092 |
| production: | Japan |
SHAPTON – Japanese specialist in sharpening stones
SHAPTON Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of synthetic sharpening stones and accessories for precise edge maintenance. The brand is known for fast abrasive action, a stable structure and a wide choice of grits for kitchen knives and craft tools.
SHAPTON is based in the town of Mashiko in Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture. The company focuses on developing sharpening stones that allow fast, controlled and highly repeatable edge work. Its products are used by professional sharpeners, chefs, craftspeople and home users who want to maintain their knives by hand.
SHAPTON sharpening stones feature a high concentration of abrasive particles and a carefully designed bonding system. This allows them to remove material efficiently, provide clear feedback during sharpening and wear more slowly than many softer stones. The wide grit range makes it possible to repair a damaged edge, create a new bevel, restore ordinary working sharpness and carry out extremely fine final polishing.
You can find the complete selection in the SHAPTON sharpening stones category.
Why are SHAPTON stones so popular?
Fast abrasive action
The high abrasive content makes it possible to restore the bevel effectively even on harder modern steels. With correct technique, there is therefore no need to apply heavy pressure to the blade.
No long soaking required
SHAPTON stones are designed for quick preparation. Before sharpening, the surface is usually only moistened with water, allowing you to start working without a long wait.
Lower wear
The optimised bonding system helps use the abrasive particles more efficiently. The stones therefore retain their working properties for a relatively long time, although their flatness still needs to be checked regularly.
Wide range of grits
From coarse repair stones to extremely fine polishing stones. Users can create a progressive sharpening sequence according to the condition of the knife, the steel used and the desired result.
Main SHAPTON sharpening-stone ranges
SHAPTON Kuromaku
Kuromaku is the classic range of solid synthetic sharpening stones. Individual grits are colour-coded, making it easier to distinguish between multiple stones while working. Each stone comes with a practical plastic case that can also be used as a base during sharpening.
SHAPTON GlassStone
The GlassStone range uses a thin abrasive layer firmly bonded to a glass base. The glass support provides dimensional stability and makes even a thin abrasive layer easier to handle. The extensive grit selection allows users to build a progression from basic sharpening to an exceptionally fine finish.
SHAPTON RockStar
RockStar is a modern premium range combining strong abrasive performance, a uniform structure and a finely controlled result. It is also designed for hard blades and users who want fast work without long soaking.
Which SHAPTON grit should you choose?
The brand or product range itself does not influence the result as much as choosing the correct grit. A coarse stone removes steel quickly, while a fine stone smooths the marks left by previous sharpening and refines the finished edge.
| Grit | Suitable use | Who it is suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| #120–#500 | Repairing a damaged edge, changing the bevel and working on a very dull knife. | More experienced users and repair sharpening. |
| #1000 | Restoring ordinary working sharpness and creating a new cutting edge. | The best first stone for most kitchen knives. |
| #1500–#3000 | Smoothing the bevel and providing a finer finish after basic sharpening. | Home cooks and more demanding users. |
| #4000–#8000 | Fine finishing and polishing of high-quality kitchen knives. | Japanese knives and blades requiring a smooth finish. |
| #12000–#16000 | Extremely fine specialised polishing after the previous stages. | Experienced sharpeners and specific edge-surface requirements. |
A simple recommendation for beginners
When buying your first sharpening stone, begin with #1000 grit. Add a #3000 stone for a finer finish. A coarse stone around #320 or #500 makes sense when the edge is damaged or significantly dull.
Maintaining SHAPTON sharpening stones
During sharpening, the working surface of every water stone gradually wears and may become hollow in the centre. An uneven stone makes it harder to control the angle and can result in an irregular bevel. It is therefore important to clean the surface continuously and flatten it when necessary.
- Moisten the stone before use according to the instructions for the specific range.
- Keep sufficient water on the surface while sharpening.
- Remove sharpening slurry and metal particles after use.
- Check the flatness of the working surface regularly.
- Allow the stone to dry naturally away from direct heat.
- Store the dry stone so that it cannot fall or suffer mechanical damage.
Holders, lapping tools, cleaning discs and other equipment can be found in the sharpening accessories category.
Would you like to learn how to sharpen correctly?
A high-quality sharpening stone is only part of the solution. Maintaining a stable angle, creating a burr, applying pressure correctly and progressing through the individual grits are equally important.
View the knife-sharpening course ›Frequently asked questions about SHAPTON
Where does the SHAPTON brand come from?
SHAPTON is a Japanese company based in the town of Mashiko in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
What makes SHAPTON sharpening stones special?
They stand out for their fast abrasive action, high abrasive content, good dimensional stability and wide choice of grits.
Do SHAPTON stones require long soaking?
Usually not. SHAPTON stones are designed for quick use after the surface has been moistened with water. Always follow the instructions for the specific product.
Which SHAPTON stone should I choose first?
For ordinary kitchen knives, #1000 is the most universal grit. It restores the working edge without removing material as aggressively as repair stones.
What is the difference between Kuromaku, GlassStone and RockStar?
Kuromaku stones are classic solid, colour-coded stones in a case. GlassStone uses an abrasive layer on a glass base. RockStar is a modern premium range with fast and even abrasive action.
Are SHAPTON stones suitable for hard Japanese steels?
Yes. A correctly selected SHAPTON stone can also be used on many hard Japanese steels. The appropriate grit, a stable angle and moderate pressure are decisive.
Can tools also be sharpened on SHAPTON stones?
Yes. Depending on the chosen range and grit, they can also be used to sharpen chisels, plane irons and other cutting tools.
Why does a sharpening stone need to be flattened?
The stone may wear unevenly during use. A flat surface improves angle control, blade contact and the consistency of the finished bevel.
Need help choosing?
We will help you select a suitable SHAPTON range and progressive grits according to the knife type, condition of the edge and your experience. Contact Dellinger on +420 702 049 048 on working days between 7:30–16:00.
| EU representative of the manufacturer : | Dellinger s.r.o. |
|---|---|
| Address of the EU representative : | Rižská 1580/7 102 00 Praha |
| Email of the EU representative : | saleseu@dellinger.cz |