Max Knives MK1706 — 3000/8000 Corundum Sharpening Stone, Bamboo Base

Overview

The MK1706 is a corundum water stone — aluminium oxide — mounted on a bamboo base that sits on a non-slip rubber foot. It measures 180 mm long, 60 mm wide and 30 mm thick, which is enough length to draw a full kitchen blade across in one pass rather than in two. Each face carries a different grit: 3000 on the red side, 8000 on the white side. A versatile angle guide comes with the stone.

Two fine grits, and what they do

3000 and 8000 are both finishing grits: they are not there to rescue a damaged edge but to refine and then polish an edge that already exists. The 3000 closes up the scratch pattern left by a coarser stone and gives a clean edge; the 8000 removes almost no metal and smooths the edge until it shines. This is the pairing you want when you maintain your blades regularly rather than letting them go dull, and it is also the pairing that suits delicate razors and high-end knives.

Technical specifications

Corundum water stone, aluminium oxide. Dual grit: 3000 on the red face, 8000 on the white face. Stone dimensions: 180 mm long, 60 mm wide, 30 mm thick. Bamboo base with a non-slip rubber foot. Versatile angle guide included. The stone is soaked before use.

Care

A water stone is soaked before each session and rinsed afterwards: the slurry that forms on the surface is part of the work, but it should not be left to dry on the stone. Let it air-dry before storing it, never sealed away damp. If the surface dishes slightly in the middle after many passes, that is corrected by flattening it. Rinse the rubber foot with clean water.