1x4 Sigma 1K Select II

The 1x4 Sigma Select II 1K grit stone is a medium stone used for light profiling, routine repairs, initial sharpening, and can be used as a worksharp edge or as a step for continuing to further refinement. One of the most notable features of this stone is the overall balance of smooth aggression.

This stone is 1" x 4" in size mounted to an aluminum blank with a total thickness of 5-6mm and used with water only. It works best when soaked in water for a minute or two before use. Let air dry and store dry when not in use.

Abrasive Material: Silicon Carbide

Ideal place in a sharpening progression:

• Starting grit for routine repairs and light profiling.
• Starting grit for initial sharpening and maintenance
• Cleaning of deep scratches made by extra coarse and coarse diamond grit plates.
• After coarse belt grinder grits (80, 100, 120, 220, A65 Trizact grit)
• As a final stone leaving a respectable working sharp edge.
• Before progressing finer medium grits and initial polishing stones (2K-6K grit)

The Sigma Select II 1K sharpening stone is a premium level medium grit sharpening stone that works on almost all types of knives, scissors, tools and chisels, including those made with abrasion resistant steels. While the 1x4 size is meant for use with the KME Sharpener, it is also a great size for a slip stone, field stone or a pocket stone for knife repairs and sharpening on the go, or to remove unwanted burrs.

This stone can also be used in a mix and match progression of other synthetic and natural sharpening stones, as well with other brands such as Naniwa, Shapton, Suehiro, Imanishi, Spyderco, King, etc. This is a waterstone, and is not to be used with oil, but can be used in conjunction with oil stones (such as Norton India and other carborundum and Arkansas stones) if the blade is wiped clean before and after switching stone types.   

On More Traditional Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel Edges the Sigma Select II 1K  works on steels between RC 52 and RC 65 on the Rockwell C Hardness scale. The stone’s formulation and abrasive combo works very well on reprofiling and repairing of the softer end of the spectrum of most steels used by many kitchen knife makers like Henckels, Wüsthof, Gunter Wilhelm, F Dick, Victorinox, etc. and steels like X50CrMoV15, AUS6, and 440B. This is also a stone that can be utilized on softer steeled garden tools such as lawnmower blades and hedge clippers and other tools that don’t necessarily need to be as refined in sharpness as they need to be shaped well for cutting at speeds.

On the higher end of the hardness spectrum of traditional steel edges made with steels like 1095, 440C, 52100, Aogami White, O1, Shirogami Blue, W1, etc., the Sigma Select II 1K really brings out an initial edge with a natural stone looking finish. This stone really reacts well with the harder RC steels and leaves an edge that is ready to use, and clean and prepped for further cleanup by finer grits.

On Carbide Forming Steel and More Abrasion Resistant Steel Edges such as D2, M2, S35V, S90V, VG-10, etc., The Sigma Select II 1K removes matrix steel and carbides, leaving the surface of the blade prepped for further refinement.

Hacks and Tips:

• This stone makes its own slurry as it is used and is a little thirsty. Keeping the stone viscous with water will keep it more aggressive.
• To clean up the scratches before moving to another grit, let the paste on the stone dry out slightly. This will leave a slightly less scratchy finish in preparation for the next grit.
• This stone will dish with use. Lap this stone with an extra coarse diamond plate, silicon carbide (SiC) powder, or very low grit wet dry sandpaper to keep it consistently flat and clean.

Comparable Stones: Naniwa Chosera 1K, Shapton 1K, Suehiro 1K Cerax

Alternative Mid Level Stones: Jende 1K SPK, Jende 1K Gray, Jende 1K SF, Naniwa 1K Goken Pro, Nubatama 1K

Alternative Economy Level Stones: Naniwa 1K Chocolate Bar, Suehiro 1K R