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 Cerax Combo gives you the two grits that do the most work in a typical sharpening session in a single stone. The 1K side handles bevel setting, edge repair, and the bulk of metal removal - the same high-abrasive-concentration 1K that is the most popular standalone stone in the Cerax line. The 3K side follows to refine the scratch pattern left by the 1K, removing the medium marks and bringing the edge to a clean working sharpness that handles most kitchen tasks without a further finishing step. For cooks who want a complete sharpening setup in a compact form, this combination covers the full range from dull to sharp in a single purchase. The 3K side also works as a standalone light maintenance stone for knives that are already in good condition and need only occasional touch-up. Both sides measure 185mm x 65mm. Soak 5-10 minutes before use. Rubber holder included.
What Customers Are Saying: Eight reviewers confirm it is a practical, capable combination stone. The 1K side cuts fast and responsive; the 3K refines cleanly without excessive passes. Described consistently as excellent value - two quality stones for the price of one, with the convenience of a single piece to store and set up. Recommended as a first serious sharpening stone for anyone moving past entry-level gear.
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 Cerax Combo gives you the two grits that do the most work in a typical sharpening session in a single stone. The 1K side handles bevel setting, edge repair, and the bulk of metal removal - the same high-abrasive-concentration 1K that is the most popular standalone stone in the Cerax line. The 3K side follows to refine the scratch pattern left by the 1K, removing the medium marks and bringing the edge to a clean working sharpness that handles most kitchen tasks without a further finishing step. For cooks who want a complete sharpening setup in a compact form, this combination covers the full range from dull to sharp in a single purchase. The 3K side also works as a standalone light maintenance stone for knives that are already in good condition and need only occasional touch-up. Both sides measure 185mm x 65mm. Soak 5-10 minutes before use. Rubber holder included.
What Customers Are Saying: Eight reviewers confirm it is a practical, capable combination stone. The 1K side cuts fast and responsive; the 3K refines cleanly without excessive passes. Described consistently as excellent value - two quality stones for the price of one, with the convenience of a single piece to store and set up. Recommended as a first serious sharpening stone for anyone moving past entry-level gear.
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: 1,000 / 3,000
- Use: Soak 5-10 minutes before use
- Includes: Rubber stone holder
- Dimensions: 185mm x 65mm
- Origin: Niigata, Japan
- Note: Do not perma-soak
Reviews
8 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Very SatisfiedPosted By: Jon B
67 people found this review helpful
I recently purchased my first set of water stones for sharpening my first Japanese knife and I must say, I'm impressed! As a beginner, I was not able to achieve a scary sharp edge on my knife, but I attribute this to my inexperience and not having perfected my hand movements yet. Despite not being able to create a burr, the process of sharpening with these stones was a real pleasure. It took me 15 minutes but I am hopeful that with practice, I will be able to sharpen my knife more efficiently. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase and look forward to honing my skills with these stones.
67 people found this review helpful
I recently purchased my first set of water stones for sharpening my first Japanese knife and I must say, I'm impressed! As a beginner, I was not able to achieve a scary sharp edge on my knife, but I attribute this to my inexperience and not having perfected my hand movements yet. Despite not being able to create a burr, the process of sharpening with these stones was a real pleasure. It took me 15 minutes but I am hopeful that with practice, I will be able to sharpen my knife more efficiently. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase and look forward to honing my skills with these stones.
Get the Separate StonesPosted By: James
69 people found this review helpful
Giving it three stars mainly for the system. I got the combo thinking it would be a great one piece solution, and was thinking of recommending it to a friend just starting out.
My main issue with it is the plastic that separates the grits sticks out too far. This impedes your hands, in my view. I just don’t want it there. The setup seems to be great on paper as it holds the stone, has a top, can hold water in the bottom to soak the other side, holds a small dressing stone in bottom, and has feet for the counter. The plastic sticking out is kind of integral to keep the prodigious amount of slurry from getting to the other side. But it interferes.
The other thing about the system is the plastic seems quite brittle. The top is also loose. The stone does sit pretty securely on a surface for sharpening with the rubber feet. But I wouldn’t count on it to be put in a tool box unless you protect it and rubber band the top. The plastic is not like the Shapton Pro boxes, which can take some impact and are not going to crack with a little jostling in a tool box. Those little boxes make better sharpening stands too imo. Part of the reason they’re popular with woodworkers.
The other thing you is these are very messy stones. Whether that’s good or bad is up to your preference. It does mean you really want to use it over a sink or a container where there’s lots of water available. This is where the combo system just seems to make it harder on a table. Because you have to pick up the whole thing with it’s nearly 1/2 inch lip around the stone and rinse it under a faucet.
That plastic lip also makes it impossible to lay the stone on its side to dry. On one end there’s a hole to hang it, but you’re going to need a thin hook that sticks out from the wall a bit. A thin metal coat hanger upside down would work.
If you want to try the Cerax stones you can get the small 1000/3000 combo that comes with a minimal rubber base. It’s $20-30 depending who’s selling it. I didn’t realize it was the Cerax till i got this large combo. I really like that little one for pocket knives, and omg, you can get right up to the side.
I don’t recommend this setup for beginners. Before getting it I thought it would be near perfect. Plus the Cerax needs attention with the included dressing stone, and then the flattening. You’re going to go through some stone on the 1k because it’s relatively soft.
Experienced people know enough to either be bothered by the system and move it on, or they’re not bothered. They get lots of stones. To me it’s like when you sharpen and there’s something on the counter that you don’t hit with your hand, but it’s close enough to annoy you so you have to move it. With this Cerax combo system you’re stuck with it.
Get the separate stones, it’s a more enjoyable experience.
69 people found this review helpful
Giving it three stars mainly for the system. I got the combo thinking it would be a great one piece solution, and was thinking of recommending it to a friend just starting out.
My main issue with it is the plastic that separates the grits sticks out too far. This impedes your hands, in my view. I just don’t want it there. The setup seems to be great on paper as it holds the stone, has a top, can hold water in the bottom to soak the other side, holds a small dressing stone in bottom, and has feet for the counter. The plastic sticking out is kind of integral to keep the prodigious amount of slurry from getting to the other side. But it interferes.
The other thing about the system is the plastic seems quite brittle. The top is also loose. The stone does sit pretty securely on a surface for sharpening with the rubber feet. But I wouldn’t count on it to be put in a tool box unless you protect it and rubber band the top. The plastic is not like the Shapton Pro boxes, which can take some impact and are not going to crack with a little jostling in a tool box. Those little boxes make better sharpening stands too imo. Part of the reason they’re popular with woodworkers.
The other thing you is these are very messy stones. Whether that’s good or bad is up to your preference. It does mean you really want to use it over a sink or a container where there’s lots of water available. This is where the combo system just seems to make it harder on a table. Because you have to pick up the whole thing with it’s nearly 1/2 inch lip around the stone and rinse it under a faucet.
That plastic lip also makes it impossible to lay the stone on its side to dry. On one end there’s a hole to hang it, but you’re going to need a thin hook that sticks out from the wall a bit. A thin metal coat hanger upside down would work.
If you want to try the Cerax stones you can get the small 1000/3000 combo that comes with a minimal rubber base. It’s $20-30 depending who’s selling it. I didn’t realize it was the Cerax till i got this large combo. I really like that little one for pocket knives, and omg, you can get right up to the side.
I don’t recommend this setup for beginners. Before getting it I thought it would be near perfect. Plus the Cerax needs attention with the included dressing stone, and then the flattening. You’re going to go through some stone on the 1k because it’s relatively soft.
Experienced people know enough to either be bothered by the system and move it on, or they’re not bothered. They get lots of stones. To me it’s like when you sharpen and there’s something on the counter that you don’t hit with your hand, but it’s close enough to annoy you so you have to move it. With this Cerax combo system you’re stuck with it.
Get the separate stones, it’s a more enjoyable experience.
WORKED GREAT! cerax stone A good set of stones Veracity Excellent buy
Not their best productPosted By: Natty
14 people found this review helpful
As much as I love Suehiro stones, I was pretty unimpressed with the quality of this combo stone. It wore down very quickly and did not sharpen as efficiently or effectively has a King combo. I would advise anyone considering this stone to purchase a CERAX 1000 instead--it'll get your knives sharper faster and last longer.
14 people found this review helpful
As much as I love Suehiro stones, I was pretty unimpressed with the quality of this combo stone. It wore down very quickly and did not sharpen as efficiently or effectively has a King combo. I would advise anyone considering this stone to purchase a CERAX 1000 instead--it'll get your knives sharper faster and last longer.
