Suehiro has been producing sharpening stones in Niigata Prefecture since 1932, and the Cerax line sits at the top of their synthetic stone range. The stones are made with a high concentration of abrasive particles and minimal binder material, which produces a stone that cuts actively, builds slurry well, and provides good tactile feedback through the session. The Cerax line occupies a middle position on the hardness scale - softer than the Shapton Pro, harder than the Naniwa Super Stone - which gives it a responsive feel that experienced sharpeners often prefer for feedback-intensive work. Short soak before use is recommended for most grits; do not perma-soak.
The 320-grit Cerax is a serious coarse stone built for thinning work, chip repair, and bevel setting. The high abrasive concentration cuts faster than the Shapton Pro 320 at the same grit - a comparison made directly by multiple forum members who own both - with the tradeoff that it dishes more readily. For sustained thinning sessions that is an acceptable trade: the cutting speed and the feedback the stone provides through the stroke more than compensate, and regular flattening with a diamond plate keeps it performing. The scratch pattern it leaves is clean and transitions to a 1K without excessive bridging work. Soaking for 10 minutes before use is important - an undersoaked Cerax at this grit will load up and perform poorly. Once properly soaked it holds water well through a long session. Standard size: 205mm x 73mm x 27mm.
What Customers Are Saying: Two reviewers confirm it cuts fast and performs well for aggressive metal removal and thinning work. Feedback from CKTG forum members who have compared it directly to the Shapton Pro 320 consistently describes it as faster cutting with more dishing - an accurate summary of the tradeoff.
Care Instructions: Soak for 5-10 minutes before use on the 320 and 1K. The 6K is splash-and-go. Add water during sharpening as needed. Flatten with a diamond plate when dishing develops. Do not perma-soak. Store dry.
The 320-grit Cerax is a serious coarse stone built for thinning work, chip repair, and bevel setting. The high abrasive concentration cuts faster than the Shapton Pro 320 at the same grit - a comparison made directly by multiple forum members who own both - with the tradeoff that it dishes more readily. For sustained thinning sessions that is an acceptable trade: the cutting speed and the feedback the stone provides through the stroke more than compensate, and regular flattening with a diamond plate keeps it performing. The scratch pattern it leaves is clean and transitions to a 1K without excessive bridging work. Soaking for 10 minutes before use is important - an undersoaked Cerax at this grit will load up and perform poorly. Once properly soaked it holds water well through a long session. Standard size: 205mm x 73mm x 27mm.
What Customers Are Saying: Two reviewers confirm it cuts fast and performs well for aggressive metal removal and thinning work. Feedback from CKTG forum members who have compared it directly to the Shapton Pro 320 consistently describes it as faster cutting with more dishing - an accurate summary of the tradeoff.
Care Instructions: Soak for 5-10 minutes before use on the 320 and 1K. The 6K is splash-and-go. Add water during sharpening as needed. Flatten with a diamond plate when dishing develops. Do not perma-soak. Store dry.
- Brand: Suehiro
- Line: Cerax
- Grit: 320
- Use: Soak 10 minutes before use
- Dimensions: 205mm x 73mm x 27mm
- Origin: Niigata, Japan
- Note: Do not perma-soak
Reviews
2 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Terrific stonePosted By: Lionel Joyce
42 people found this review helpful
This stone has become the main weapon in my sharpening armory. Can't understand how I managed without it. Have recently started bringing my harder knives up to a 10 degree edge, and softer, Victorinox, to 12 degrees. The 320 gets them to paper cutting sharpness, before I continue to 1k and 6K for polishing. The Cerax has turned the Imanishi 1000/6000 into a star
42 people found this review helpful
This stone has become the main weapon in my sharpening armory. Can't understand how I managed without it. Have recently started bringing my harder knives up to a 10 degree edge, and softer, Victorinox, to 12 degrees. The 320 gets them to paper cutting sharpness, before I continue to 1k and 6K for polishing. The Cerax has turned the Imanishi 1000/6000 into a star
