Knife Knowledge: Product Review - MORIHEI HISHIBOSHI WHETSTONE 

I’m researching knives and stones. I’m a retired, lifelong pro chef, but always used German blades and Global. The typical stones used were triple stone oil stones. Nothing elegant or sweet about the art of sharpening there! So, I’ve got lots to learn. I came across your channel after researching Morihei which a very good shop here in Thailand has on offer. I think you opened my eyes to a great world of good stuff I must learn. Thank you. I’ll definitely look at more of your vdo to bone up on the jargon used and technique. Your technique is smooth. I tried to follow closely the blade placements pushing and drawing and for the edge leading you did. I need to get all the kit for sharpening and get myself set up in my shop to do it right. Thanks again. I subscribed.

Can’t wait for the green brick of joy! I have so many stones but I don’t have a 2k. Might pull the trigger after seeing your review! God bless and thanks for another great video.

Hi Greg, I have tested my Morihei Karasu 9000. It's a blast. It works fine in combination with the green brick of joy. I resharpend my black damascus SG2 Gyuto from Kato San and my Rycky KS-Style 240 blue #2 Gyuto. With great result. The Morihei stone is a great finisher. I don't think, that I personally need something above. 9000# is more than enough for me. Before you ask - yes I am a patient guy (start on the 2000#) and I don't see the need to progress through all the different grids. Off course I finished on leather with compound on. And I uese different naguras (Naniwa 3000 and Morihei extra fine) on the stones. Also tested the green brick of joy only on a Yu Kurosaki Raijin 210 gyuto with cobalt special steel. And I was surprised how good it worked. Only the 2000# and finished on leather was amazing. I want to try out different finishes for different purposes in the kitchen. To get the optimal results for the ingredients with the different knives in my collection. Makes more fun to switch knives during the cooking process!

Outstanding video, though I must say now you got me wondering if I need to get more stones. The wife is not going to be happy I tell you. Good job, keep it up.

Excellent demonstration. I wishi knew about those stones, is collect them all but i have enough stones already.

Awesome review. When I get Tiple B's Super Vitrified Diamond stones I'll send them your way for review! Just waiting for them to restock.

Great review

Thank you for the review, been trying to find more information on these whetstones! How have they held up so far compared to your current whetstone collection? Would you do a video in the future where you would thin knives and polish to a high contrast between the jacket steel and core steel on your whetstones?

I finally got it - MORIHEI "Karasu" 9000. I am looking forward to give it a try!

The 9000# look's like a champion!

I hone straight razors principally but also knives rarely. I set the bevel on 4000 debado Ld and on a Shapton 4000 to my razor! And the cutting edge was smother on the Debado! Ld Have never tried the serie Debado! I think is better than natural stones and hard to win! Also for Shapton and Naniwa🎉 Only defect you have to remove their horrible edges!

Another great video. I will say you are a bad influence on me. Picked up the 9000, very curious to see how it feels.

Have you tried the morihei 8000 grit whetstone was interested in getting a fine polishing stone and was wondering if I should get the 8000 or the 9000 version

That 9k stone has me drooling 🤤. I’m almost afraid to know the prices though.

Awesome stuff! I own the 1000 and the 4000, you should absolutely try out the 4000. Curious about the 9000 like most people, looks fun!

The HD version is still processing!

Can you use naniwa 600 nagura to make slurry on 500 to 1000 stone and then morihei naguras fine and extra fine on high grits? For example?

is the sensation similar to the bester stones? bester also should be similar to natural stones

Compared to ouka and rika the morihei performance compensates the price diference?

So, like you I'm sure, I have a knife/stone problem. I now have the 1k and 3k of these and while I like them, I'm not sure they hit the mark. They do have more of a natural stone feel, but at the same time they don't feel like natural stones. Natural stones have a snap to them that you just can't replicate. That leaves them in the synthetic, splash and go category where I think they're fine but nothing great. Personally, I prefer the feel of soaking synthetic stones, but still I think the classics like a Chosera 800/3k setup is better than these. I'm partial to the Shapton glass 4k, so I also think it's a better stone. I'll have to buy the 9k to try but I just think these stones are good but nothing crazy good.

I bought one - a 9000# Karasu!

Can you do 3k morihei vs Naniwa 3k pro please

I consider the price of the stone not important cause the stone in home use will last me a lifetime and 100$ of 85$ or 110$ makes no difference... Performance and feel of the stone are the only deciding factor.. Unfortunatelly i dont have Morihei in the country where i live but i dont think its any different than ussual high end stones like Chosera, Shapton Glass and Suehiro Ouka , Rika, Junpaku that are absolutely unbeatable in joy of sharpening... But dont doubt that Morihei are great since everyone is praising them🙏

lol karasu is sounded like car ass sue .....love these stones

How is the Morihei 9k compared to the Kitayama 8k?

What you usually use to clean whetston

Crow patterns are called karasu

The 9000 is gorgeous omg I want! Chop toilet paper clean cuts on toilet paper test your limits as a sharpener.

If you like the markings on the stone why don't you flip it over and sharpen on the unmarked side . I am mostly asking because I have been using the backside of all my stones and have yet to notice anyone else doing this. Just wondering if I am doing something wrong, bad juju or something. I too appreciate the markings.

Wish you had a USB microscope to show us the grit / scratch pattern.

You kept saying micro bevel? Did you mean micro burr?

You mentioned so many times "micro bevel" Did you mean "burr" or micro "burr" i mean micro bevel is something else isn't it 😀

Maybe lose the apron on stone reviews so we can hear the feedback and not the clips clinking every stroke lol

Hi Greg, I know this vid has been out there for some time. I'd like to ask you about your long term experience with the Moriheis. I'm thinking about getting the 4k.